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| Virginia shooting: videos posted showing attack on TV journalists - live updates | Virginia shooting: videos posted showing attack on TV journalists - live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.23pm BST17:23 | |
| Flanagan has sued news station over alleged racism before, my colleague Jon Swaine reports, drawing on court documents from more than a decade ago. | |
| In 2000 Flanagan sued WTWC, the NBC affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida, alleging he was sued after objecting to racism he encountered after joining the station the year before. He sought more than $75,000 in damages. | |
| The lawsuit made several wild claims, including that in the summer of 1999 he was called a “monkey” by a producer and learned other black employees had been called the same. | |
| Flanagan alleged that later that year a white employee told him it “busted her butt that blacks did not take advantage of the free money” available in scholarships to African Americans attending college. | |
| He further alleged that a black criminal suspect was referred to as “just another thug” and that a black tape operator was told to “stop talking ebonics”. The lawsuit reached federal court in Florida. According to public records it was settled out of court in 2001. | |
| 5.12pm BST17:12 | |
| Suspect Vester Lee Flanagan is in “very critical condition”, local news station WDBJ7 has reported, citing state police. | |
| Their report contradicts others from Reuters and other local news reports that he had killed himself. | |
| Police and ambulances have gathered en masse off of Interstate 66 in Fauquier County, reportedly near Flanagan’s car. | |
| Updated at 5.19pm BST | |
| 5.08pm BST17:08 | |
| WDBJ7 station manager Jeff Marks has described Flanagan as “an unhappy man”. | |
| “Vester was an unhappy man. We employed him as a reporter, and he had some talent in that respect and some experience, although he’d been out of the business for a while.” | |
| “He quickly gathered a reputation as someone who was difficult to work with,” Marks continued, saying that he would quickly “take offense”. | |
| “Eventually after many incidents of his anger coming to the fore, we dismissed him. And he did not take that well, we had to call the police to escort him from the building. | |
| “Since then, well, he then filed an action with the Equal Opportunity Employment Committee in which he made all kinds of complaints” about the staff. Flanagan alleged that the staff had made “racial comments”, Marks said, but “none of them could be corroborated by anyone, we think they were fabricated.” | |
| The complaint was dismissed, and although employees continued to occasionally see Flanagan “at the grocery store or something”, interaction was limited and rare, Marks said. | |
| He added that Vicki Gardner, the third gunshot victim, has had emergency surgery and is in stable condition. | |
| Updated at 5.19pm BST | |
| 4.51pm BST16:51 | 4.51pm BST16:51 |
| Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton has posted a call for action to stop gun violence in the wake of the shooting. | Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton has posted a call for action to stop gun violence in the wake of the shooting. |
| Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims' families in Virginia. -H | Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims' families in Virginia. -H |
| Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe has called for a tightening of gun laws. | Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe has called for a tightening of gun laws. |
| “There are too many guns in the hands of people that shouldn’t have guns,” the Democratic governor told WTOP. “There is too much gun violence in America.” | “There are too many guns in the hands of people that shouldn’t have guns,” the Democratic governor told WTOP. “There is too much gun violence in America.” |
| He said he had advocated for strengthening background checks for those buying guns for a long time | He said he had advocated for strengthening background checks for those buying guns for a long time |
| 4.50pm BST16:50 | 4.50pm BST16:50 |
| These are the tweets on the “Bryce Williams” account alleging “racist comments” made by Parker and that Ward complained to human resources: | These are the tweets on the “Bryce Williams” account alleging “racist comments” made by Parker and that Ward complained to human resources: |
| Updated at 4.52pm BST | Updated at 4.52pm BST |
| 4.46pm BST16:46 | 4.46pm BST16:46 |
| Reuters is reporting that the suspect has shot himself, citing a local ABC affiliate as its source. The Guardian cannot independently confirm this. | Reuters is reporting that the suspect has shot himself, citing a local ABC affiliate as its source. The Guardian cannot independently confirm this. |
| BREAKING NEWS: Alleged shooter of two Virginia journalists has shot himself: local ABC affiliate Twitter account | BREAKING NEWS: Alleged shooter of two Virginia journalists has shot himself: local ABC affiliate Twitter account |
| Updated at 4.48pm BST | Updated at 4.48pm BST |
| 4.43pm BST16:43 | 4.43pm BST16:43 |
| Flanagan had a troubled history with WDBJ and sued them in 2014, alleging discrimination, the Roanoke Times reports. | Flanagan had a troubled history with WDBJ and sued them in 2014, alleging discrimination, the Roanoke Times reports. |
| He was hired at the station in the spring of 2012 after working at stations in San Francisco and in Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Georgia. WDBJ let him go in February 2013. | He was hired at the station in the spring of 2012 after working at stations in San Francisco and in Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Georgia. WDBJ let him go in February 2013. |
| In May 2014, Flanagan filed suit against the station in Roanoke General District Court, seeking money he felt he was owed and additional damages. His suit alleged discrimination by the station and named most of the WDBJ staff in his complaint, but in July 2014, the case was dismissed by a judge. | In May 2014, Flanagan filed suit against the station in Roanoke General District Court, seeking money he felt he was owed and additional damages. His suit alleged discrimination by the station and named most of the WDBJ staff in his complaint, but in July 2014, the case was dismissed by a judge. |
| Over the past week, a Facebook page in the name “Bryce Williams” was updated to include silent video recordings of stories Flanagan worked on as Bryce Williams. One of the clips showed Flanagan in a gun store, holding a weapon. | Over the past week, a Facebook page in the name “Bryce Williams” was updated to include silent video recordings of stories Flanagan worked on as Bryce Williams. One of the clips showed Flanagan in a gun store, holding a weapon. |
| Twitter has suspended the account running under the name Bryce Williams, where the user had recently posted the following photograph of a news story about Flanagan’s lawsuit against the station. | Twitter has suspended the account running under the name Bryce Williams, where the user had recently posted the following photograph of a news story about Flanagan’s lawsuit against the station. |
| 4.26pm BST16:26 | 4.26pm BST16:26 |
| Videos show shooting | Videos show shooting |
| A Twitter account purporting to be run by the gunman has posted a video of the shooting, as well as one of the lead-up to the attack. | A Twitter account purporting to be run by the gunman has posted a video of the shooting, as well as one of the lead-up to the attack. |
| The videos posted in the name of Bryce Williams, the name 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. | The videos posted in the name of Bryce Williams, the name 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. | 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 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???” |
| Updated at 4.33pm BST | Updated at 4.33pm BST |
| 4.25pm BST16:25 | 4.25pm BST16:25 |
| The WDBJ7 crew paying tribute to their colleagues, Alison Parker and Adam Ward. | The WDBJ7 crew paying tribute to their colleagues, Alison Parker and Adam Ward. |
| 4.16pm BST16:16 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 3.59pm BST15:59 |
| Virginia congressman Morgan Griffith – his district encompasses the area of the shooting – has released a statement: | 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. | 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.” | 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. | “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.” | 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 | Updated at 4.05pm BST |
| 3.43pm BST15:43 | 3.43pm 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 | Updated at 4.04pm BST |
| 3.38pm BST15:38 | 3.38pm 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." @roanoketimes | Sgt. 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 BST15:32 | 3.32pm 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 BST15:19 | 3.19pm 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. | 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”. |
| 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.” |
| 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.” |
| 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”. | 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 | Updated at 4.03pm BST |