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Virginia shooting: police have identified gunman who killed news crew – live Virginia shooting: police have identified gunman who killed news crew – live
(35 minutes later)
4.16pm BST16:16
Police are searching for Vester Lee Flanagan II, a 41-year-old “light-skinned black male”, a spokesperson for the Augusta County sheriff’s department has confirmed to the Guardian.
The spokesperson said police are searching for Flanagan “in relation to the homicide that occurred in Campbell County” – although Smith Mountain Lake technically lies in Franklin County, and their police department is leading the investigation.
Flanagan was described as 6ft 3in tall, approximately 250lbs, and public records show he has worked in the area as a reporter.
3.59pm BST15:59
Virginia congressman Morgan Griffith – his district encompasses the area of the shooting – has released a statement:
Like all Southwest Virginians, I am heartbroken by the tragic killing of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Now and in the days to come, Alison and Adam will be in my prayers, as will their families and loved ones, the WDBJ family, and our community as a whole.
Additionally, I pray for the recovery of Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.”
“At times, we can forget that journalists and others in the public eye may find themselves at risk. Alison and Adam were not reporting from the scene of a crime or a potentially violent location this morning when this horrible event took place.
Instead, they were at one of our region’s popular recreational areas. I am deeply grateful for the important work undertaken by journalists regardless of this risk, and appreciate the efforts of law enforcement and first responders to keep them, others, and our communities safe from harm.”
Updated at 4.05pm BST
3.43pm BST15:433.43pm BST15:43
The third victim of the Smith Mountain Lake shooting has been identified as Vicki Gardner of the town’s chamber of commerce, WDBJ7 reports.The third victim of the Smith Mountain Lake shooting has been identified as Vicki Gardner of the town’s chamber of commerce, WDBJ7 reports.
Gardner was injured and is in surgery, her condition unknown, the station says.Gardner was injured and is in surgery, her condition unknown, the station says.
Station reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were fatally shot by the gunman. Police have reported no other injuries, and have announced a press conference scheduled for 1pm ET.Station reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were fatally shot by the gunman. Police have reported no other injuries, and have announced a press conference scheduled for 1pm ET.
Updated at 4.04pm BST
3.38pm BST15:383.38pm BST15:38
Tiffany Stevens of the Roanoke Times is at the sheriff’s office, where police from Franklin and Bedford counties have been joined by state police (and phones continue to ring unanswered).Tiffany Stevens of the Roanoke Times is at the sheriff’s office, where police from Franklin and Bedford counties have been joined by state police (and phones continue to ring unanswered).
State police spokesman Sergeant Rick Garletts tells her that “investigators have a suspect but will not confirm identity” and that “the suspect is not in custody.”State police spokesman Sergeant Rick Garletts tells her that “investigators have a suspect but will not confirm identity” and that “the suspect is not in custody.”
Sgt. Garletts said he would like to tell us more, but he's deferring to Franklin County SO."This needs to come through them." @roanoketimesSgt. Garletts said he would like to tell us more, but he's deferring to Franklin County SO."This needs to come through them." @roanoketimes
3.32pm BST15:323.32pm BST15:32
McAuliffe reiterates to the radio station: “ I don’t want to release the name, but we believe he is a disgruntled employee.”McAuliffe reiterates to the radio station: “ I don’t want to release the name, but we believe he is a disgruntled employee.”
He says police believe the employee was known to Parker and Adams, but does not speculate as to what may have been the gunman’s motive.He says police believe the employee was known to Parker and Adams, but does not speculate as to what may have been the gunman’s motive.
Instead he continues to push for gun control measures, namely background checks: “there are certain people who should not be entitled to a firearm.”Instead he continues to push for gun control measures, namely background checks: “there are certain people who should not be entitled to a firearm.”
3.19pm BST15:193.19pm BST15:19
Virginia’s governor, Terry McAuliffe, has announced that “there is an active pursuit” of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a reporter and cameraman near Smith Mountain Lake on Wednesday morning.Virginia’s governor, Terry McAuliffe, has announced that “there is an active pursuit” of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a reporter and cameraman near Smith Mountain Lake on Wednesday morning.
Early on Wednesday morning a gunman opened fire at a WDBJ7 news crew filming near Smith Mountain Lake, in south-western Virginia, the shooting partially caught on the live broadcast. The gunman killed 24-year-old reporter Alison Parker and 27-year-old photojournalist Adam Ward.
“They are in pursuit as we speak,” McAuliffe told WTOP local radio. “We believe at this point that it may have been a disgruntled employee of the station. It is not a terrorist-type situation, it is a criminal case, we believe, at this point.”“They are in pursuit as we speak,” McAuliffe told WTOP local radio. “We believe at this point that it may have been a disgruntled employee of the station. It is not a terrorist-type situation, it is a criminal case, we believe, at this point.”
Citing the head of Virginia’s state police, he said that police have a photograph of the suspect and “have identified the suspect”.Citing the head of Virginia’s state police, he said that police have a photograph of the suspect and “have identified the suspect”.
Early on Wednesday morning a gunman opened fire at a WDBJ7 news crew filming a segment near Smith Mountain Lake, in south-western Virginia. The gunman killed 24-year-old reporter Alison Parker and 27-year-old photojournalist Adam Ward.
McAuliffe was optimistic about the manhunt: “Probably by the time we finish this interview we will have caught the suspect.”McAuliffe was optimistic about the manhunt: “Probably by the time we finish this interview we will have caught the suspect.”
The Democratic governor used the radio interview to call for background checks to bolster gun control, saying there are “too many lives in the hands of people who should not have guns”. 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.
Updated at 3.20pm BST “The scene was described to us as chaos.”
Parker and Ward were remembered fondly and through tears by their colleagues, who described them as gregarious and promising journalists. Ward’s fiancee was celebrating her last day at the station, and he planned to move with her to Charlotte. Parker’s boyfriend, also reporter at the station, had recently moved in with her, and described her as “the most radiant woman I ever met”.
Updated at 4.03pm BST