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Lone survivor of Virginia shooting reveals terrifying details Survivor of Virginia shooting says gunman's weapon malfunctioned
(34 minutes later)
The only survivor of the shooting that killed two journalists on live television in Virginia has revealed new details of the terrifying events, through her husband. The only survivor of the shooting that killed two journalists on live television in Virginia has revealed new details of the terrifying event, through her husband.
Related: Vester Flanagan: cameraman describes assignment that led to WDBJ firingRelated: Vester Flanagan: cameraman describes assignment that led to WDBJ firing
On Wednesday, Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake chamber of commerce, was being interviewed by WDBJ7’s Alison Parker and Adam Ward when a disgruntled former reporter shot all three. On Wednesday, Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake chamber of commerce, was being interviewed by WDBJ7’s Alison Parker and Adam Ward when their former colleague Vester Lee Flanagan shot all three, killing Parker and Ward and injuring Gardner.
The gunman attempted to shoot Gardner several times, but was only able to fire once because of a weapon malfunction. Having woken from a medically induced coma, Gardner is now recovering in Carilion Roanoke Memorial hospital, her husband told ABC News. The gunman attempted to shoot Gardner several times, but was only able to fire once because of a weapon malfunction.
Having woken from a medically induced coma, Gardner is now recovering in Carilion Roanoke Memorial hospital, her husband told ABC News.
“He pulled the trigger several times, only fired once,” Tim Gardner said on Friday morning.“He pulled the trigger several times, only fired once,” Tim Gardner said on Friday morning.
Parker was interviewing Gardner at a local boardwalk, for a story on tourism. The bright lights of Ward’s camera equipment blinded Gardner from the approaching gunman, her husband said. Parker was interviewing Gardner at a local boardwalk, for a story on tourism. The bright lights of Ward’s camera equipment stopped Gardner from seeing the approaching gunman, her husband said.
Parker was shot first, screaming as WDBJ pulled away from the sound of gunfire. A stunned anchor remained on television. Parker and Ward died of their injuries.
The gunman, Vester Lee Flanagan II, then attempted to kill Gardner.
“He shot three times at my wife and she was trying to dodge everything,” Tim Gardner said. “He missed twice and then she dove to the ground and curled up in a ball, and that’s when he walked over and shot her in the back.”“He shot three times at my wife and she was trying to dodge everything,” Tim Gardner said. “He missed twice and then she dove to the ground and curled up in a ball, and that’s when he walked over and shot her in the back.”
As many as 40,000 people watched the broadcast, including Tim Gardner. The gunman later posted first-person videos of the murders on social media. The videos were quickly removed. A spokesperson for the Virginia medical examiner’s office in Roanoke said Friday that both Parker and Ward died of gunshot wounds. Parker died of gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and Ward of gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Both were ruled homicides. The medical examiner’s office declined to release further details.
As many as 40,000 people watched the attack as the station broadcast live to the local area, including Tim Gardner. The gunman later posted first-person videos of the murders on social media. The videos were quickly removed.
Flanagan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, hours later. Internal memos revealed that colleagues had pushed Flanagan to seek mental health help before he was dismissed from the station for threatening behavior.Flanagan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, hours later. Internal memos revealed that colleagues had pushed Flanagan to seek mental health help before he was dismissed from the station for threatening behavior.
WDBJ staff members have continued to broadcast, at times nearly in tears on-air. Immediately after the incident, stunned workers said they worried the gunman would come to the station. WDBJ staff members have continued to broadcast, at times nearly in tears on air. Immediately after the incident, stunned workers said they worried the gunman would come to the station.
“I immediately think, ‘Is he coming to the station to kill us all?’” WDBJ assistant news director Greg Baldwin told ABC.“I immediately think, ‘Is he coming to the station to kill us all?’” WDBJ assistant news director Greg Baldwin told ABC.
News outlets across the country responded to the shooting by posting message of support on social media, under the hashtag #WeStandWithWDBJ. The shooting has also renewed calls to stop the mentally ill from obtaining guns.News outlets across the country responded to the shooting by posting message of support on social media, under the hashtag #WeStandWithWDBJ. The shooting has also renewed calls to stop the mentally ill from obtaining guns.
The remainder of ABC’s interview with Gardner is expected to be broadcast on Friday night, on 20/20.The remainder of ABC’s interview with Gardner is expected to be broadcast on Friday night, on 20/20.