News anchor and cameraman shot tv#

News anchor and cameraman shot tv#

He used his insider's knowledge of TV journalism against his victims - a 24-year-old reporter who was a rising star and a 27-year-old cameraman engaged to a producer who watched the slaughter live from the control room.įlanagan's planning may have started weeks ago when, ABC News said, a man claiming to be Bryce Williams called repeatedly, saying he wanted to pitch a story and needed fax information. Wednesday's on-air murders reverberated far from central Virginia because that's just what the killer wanted - not just to avenge perceived wrongs, but to gain maximum, viral exposure. Related: Slain TV reporter, cameraman had become local celebrities Related: Fired reporter kills 2 former co-workers on live TV See also: On-air killings gripped millions in social media storm Related: Jacksonville TV anchor remembers friend, former co-worker who was one of journalists killed on air Related: Emotional newscast after shooting that shocked millions Ward fell, too, and the camera he had been holding on his shoulder captured a fleeting image of the suspect holding a handgun. They saw Parker scream and run, and heard her crying 'Oh my God!' as she fell. TV viewers heard about the first eight of 15 shots. He points the gun at Parker and then at Ward, but he waits patiently to shoot until he knows that Parker is on camera, so she will be gunned down on air. Vester Lee Flanagan's video shows him approaching WDBJ reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward, gun in hand, as they conduct an interview. Hours later, he shared his own recording of the killing worldwide on social media. He planned it all so carefully - a choreographed execution of two former colleagues, broadcast live to a horrified television audience. Virginia state police were working with local authorities to capture the gunman, he said.MONETA, Va. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said on Twitter that he was 'heartbroken over senseless murders.' I am heartbroken for his fiancee,' Hurst said. WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst tweeted that he and Parker were 'very much in love,' adding: 'I am numb.' On her Facebook page, Parker-whose birthday was just a week ago-described herself as the 'mornin' reporter' at WDBJ with an interest in ballroom dancing.

The station then cut away to a startled anchorwoman back in the studio. Several shots were heard, as well as screams, as Ward's camera fell to the floor, capturing a fuzzy image of the gunman, dressed in dark clothing. Parker was talking to the woman about tourism development for WDBJ's early-morning newscast when the gunman seemingly closed in from behind. The woman that Parker was interviewing on a balcony at the lakeside Bridgewater Resort in the town of Moneta, near Roanoke, was reportedly wounded. Marks said Parker and Ward were 'both in love with other members of the team' at WDBJ. It is with extreme sadness that we report WDBJ7's Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed in an attack this morning. WDBJ is located in the southern Virginia city of Roanoke. We do not know who the suspect or the killer is,' said WDBJ general manager Jeffrey Marks as he confirmed the deaths to viewers. EDT (1045 GMT) during a live broadcast in Bedford County, when shots could be heard, sending the reporter and the person she was interviewing screaming and ducking for cover. The gunman was still at large.Īccording to a Reuters report, the incident occurred at about 6:45 a.m. WDBJ journalist Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were shot at close range while conducting an on-air interview. (Updated 10:15 p.m.) WASHINGTON - Two journalists for a local CBS affiliate in Virginia were shot dead Wednesday during a live broadcast, according to chilling television footage of the incident and their network.