This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/26/virginia-gunman-kills-reporter-cameraman
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Virginia reporter and cameraman shot dead during live broadcast | Virginia reporter and cameraman shot dead during live broadcast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A manhunt is under way after a gunman killed two members of a news crew and injured a third person in Moneta, Virginia, in a shooting that took place during a live TV broadcast on Wednesday morning. | A manhunt is under way after a gunman killed two members of a news crew and injured a third person in Moneta, Virginia, in a shooting that took place during a live TV broadcast on Wednesday morning. |
| A shocking video of the shooting was subsequently posted on Twitter and Facebook. | |
| WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed. Interviewee Vicki Gardner, who was also shot, is undergoing surgery in hospital. | |
| Related: Virginia shooting: police have identified gunman who killed news crew – live | Related: Virginia shooting: police have identified gunman who killed news crew – live |
| Virginia’s governor, Terry McAuliffe, announced “an active pursuit” of the gunman was under way and said that police believed the suspect was a “disgruntled employee” from the station. | Virginia’s governor, Terry McAuliffe, announced “an active pursuit” of the gunman was under way and said that police believed the suspect was a “disgruntled employee” from the station. |
| However, he later back-pedalled on claims that an arrest was “imminent”. There are unconfirmed reports the suspect has shot himself. Virginia state police have announced a press conference for 1pm local time (6pm BST). | |
| A Twitter account purporting to be run by the gunman posted a video of the shooting, as well as one of the lead-up to the attack. Both were posted as one file on Facebook. | |
| The videos, posted in the name of Bryce Williams, the name journalist Vester Lee Flanagan reported under for WDBJ7, show an approach to Parker, Gardner and Ward on the deck where they were filming an interview. | |
| The three continue reporting live and do not acknowledge the approaching person. The person filming then angles alongside the cameraman and aims a handgun directly at Parker, who does not appear to notice. | |
| A second video shows the gunman shooting at Parker as she runs away from the shots. | |
| The video then cuts. The Twitter account has now been suspended. Other tweets stated: “I filmed the shooting see Facebook,” “Adam went to [human resources] on me after working with me one time!!!” and “Alison made racist comments. EEOC report filed. They hired her after that???” | |
| The shooting occurred around 6.45am ET, when the news crew from WDBJ7 local news was conducting a live broadcast about local tourism at at the Bridgewater Plaza, near Smith Mountain Lake. | |
| They were interviewing Gardner, a representative from the local chamber of commerce, when up to eight shots rang out. Screams followed as the camera fell to the ground. | |
| The scene was broadcast live to residents Roanoke, where the TV station is based, as well as those living in nearby towns in rural Virginia. | The scene was broadcast live to residents Roanoke, where the TV station is based, as well as those living in nearby towns in rural Virginia. |
| The live broadcast was cut off shortly after the sound of shots and screaming. Producers switched back to the WDBJ7 local studio, where a shocked anchor was staring at the camera. | The live broadcast was cut off shortly after the sound of shots and screaming. Producers switched back to the WDBJ7 local studio, where a shocked anchor was staring at the camera. |
| Police were aided by images of the gunman that were captured moments after Ward was fatally shot and fell to the ground. They showed a man dressed in black, apparently holding a gun pointed directly at the cameraman. | |
| Shortly after 10am, McAuliffe, who had been in communication with Virginia’s state police, said law enforcement were close to apprehending the suspect. He said the gunman, who had called a friend shortly after the shooting, was believed to be on the I-64 highway. | Shortly after 10am, McAuliffe, who had been in communication with Virginia’s state police, said law enforcement were close to apprehending the suspect. He said the gunman, who had called a friend shortly after the shooting, was believed to be on the I-64 highway. |
| “They are in pursuit as we speak,” McAuliffe told WTOP local radio. “Probably by the time we finish this interview we will have caught the suspect.” | “They are in pursuit as we speak,” McAuliffe told WTOP local radio. “Probably by the time we finish this interview we will have caught the suspect.” |
| Close to an hour later, the suspect was still at large. McAuliffe told the same radio station that the suspect was armed and dangerous, but appeared to back-pedal on the suggestion police were in close pursuit. He said only that police had the suspect’s name and car license plate. “Obviously, they want to take him peacefully,” he said. | Close to an hour later, the suspect was still at large. McAuliffe told the same radio station that the suspect was armed and dangerous, but appeared to back-pedal on the suggestion police were in close pursuit. He said only that police had the suspect’s name and car license plate. “Obviously, they want to take him peacefully,” he said. |
| “Today was just like any other day,” anchor Kim McBroom said on the station’s morning broadcast. “They did great work every day and put their all into everything they did. | “Today was just like any other day,” anchor Kim McBroom said on the station’s morning broadcast. “They did great work every day and put their all into everything they did. |
| “They were special people. They would lighten up a room.” | “They were special people. They would lighten up a room.” |
| With crying on the set of the studio audible, another anchor, Jean Jadhon, described Parker as “a rock star. She was a professional, so much fun and so kind.” | With crying on the set of the studio audible, another anchor, Jean Jadhon, described Parker as “a rock star. She was a professional, so much fun and so kind.” |
| Jeff Marks, the station’s general manager, recounted what police had told the station. “Someone with a gun, we believe it was a man, barged into where they were and fired several shots, six or seven, it sounded like. We heard screaming, and then we heard nothing, the camera fell. | Jeff Marks, the station’s general manager, recounted what police had told the station. “Someone with a gun, we believe it was a man, barged into where they were and fired several shots, six or seven, it sounded like. We heard screaming, and then we heard nothing, the camera fell. |
| “The scene was described to us as chaos.” | “The scene was described to us as chaos.” |
| He expressed disbelief at the shooting: “How can this individual have robbed these families of Adam and Alison of their happiness and their love, for whatever reason.” | He expressed disbelief at the shooting: “How can this individual have robbed these families of Adam and Alison of their happiness and their love, for whatever reason.” |
| Parker originally joined the station as an intern, and had graduated from James Madison University in 2012. According to her profile on the site, she enjoyed kayaking and local theater. | Parker originally joined the station as an intern, and had graduated from James Madison University in 2012. According to her profile on the site, she enjoyed kayaking and local theater. |
| Ward was described as a gregarious, hardworking photojournalist, an avid fan of Virginia Tech and longtime employee of the station. He was engaged to Melissa Ott, a producer on the station who was celebrating her last day on Wednesday before going to a new job in Charlotte. He had planned to join her there and find a new job with her. | Ward was described as a gregarious, hardworking photojournalist, an avid fan of Virginia Tech and longtime employee of the station. He was engaged to Melissa Ott, a producer on the station who was celebrating her last day on Wednesday before going to a new job in Charlotte. He had planned to join her there and find a new job with her. |
| Parker had recently celebrated a birthday and was dating WDBJ7 reporter Chris Hurst. | Parker had recently celebrated a birthday and was dating WDBJ7 reporter Chris Hurst. |
| Hurst tweeted on Wednesday morning that although “we didn’t share this publicly” he and Parker “were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. | Hurst tweeted on Wednesday morning that although “we didn’t share this publicly” he and Parker “were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. |
| “She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother. We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.” | “She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother. We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.” |
| McAuliffe tweeted that he was “heartbroken” over the two deaths. | McAuliffe tweeted that he was “heartbroken” over the two deaths. |
| Franklin County police did not immediately respond to questions. | Franklin County police did not immediately respond to questions. |
| The station chief said the news team would hold a memorial on Wednesday afternoon. | The station chief said the news team would hold a memorial on Wednesday afternoon. |
| Police have not described the extent of the third victim’s injuries. | Police have not described the extent of the third victim’s injuries. |
| Schools in the area have been locked down until further notice, the Bedford County superintendent announced. | Schools in the area have been locked down until further notice, the Bedford County superintendent announced. |
| How the shooting unfolded | How the shooting unfolded |