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/29/virginia-tv-news-shooting-vicki-gardner-injured-woman

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Virginia shooting: injured woman says she did not see gunman before he fired Virginia shooting: injured woman says she did not see gunman before he fired
(about 1 hour later)
The chamber of commerce official who was answering questions about her community on live TV in Virginia on Wednesday when gunfire erupted has said she never saw the gunman walk up to the group.The chamber of commerce official who was answering questions about her community on live TV in Virginia on Wednesday when gunfire erupted has said she never saw the gunman walk up to the group.
Related: Horror, live for all to see: another week in American gun violenceRelated: Horror, live for all to see: another week in American gun violence
Vicki Gardner, executive director of the resort area’s chamber of commerce, said the camera’s bright light blinded her. She was wounded as she fell to the ground after hearing the first shots, her husband said.Vicki Gardner, executive director of the resort area’s chamber of commerce, said the camera’s bright light blinded her. She was wounded as she fell to the ground after hearing the first shots, her husband said.
The gunman, Vester Flanagan, ambushed WDBJ-TV cameraman Adam Ward and reporter Alison Parker during the interview at the Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center.The gunman, Vester Flanagan, ambushed WDBJ-TV cameraman Adam Ward and reporter Alison Parker during the interview at the Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center.
His first four shots were aimed at Parker and two more were aimed at Ward, Gardner’s husband Tim said on Friday in a telephone interview from the hospital where his wife is recovering. Then he fired at Gardner, though his first couple of shots missed her.His first four shots were aimed at Parker and two more were aimed at Ward, Gardner’s husband Tim said on Friday in a telephone interview from the hospital where his wife is recovering. Then he fired at Gardner, though his first couple of shots missed her.
“And then when she dove down and got shot, he stopped shooting and took off,” he said. “But she wasn’t sure he was gone so she just laid there playing possum until first responders showed up.”“And then when she dove down and got shot, he stopped shooting and took off,” he said. “But she wasn’t sure he was gone so she just laid there playing possum until first responders showed up.”
Flanagan fired 17 shots from a Glock pistol, the Franklin County sheriff’s office said in a statement on Friday. Writings and evidence seized from Flanagan’s apartment showed the man “closely identified” with people who have committed mass murders including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, authorities said. Flanagan fired 17 shots from a Glock pistol, the Franklin County sheriff’s office said in a statement on Friday. Writings and evidence seized from Flanagan’s apartment showed the man “closely identified” with people who have committed mass murders, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, authorities said.
Parker and Ward died of gunshot wounds to the head and body. Gardner was shot in the back.Parker and Ward died of gunshot wounds to the head and body. Gardner was shot in the back.
Tim Gardner said on Saturday he expected his wife to remain in intensive care until at least Monday. He said she would face more surgery in the months ahead after doctors removed a damaged kidney and part of her colon this week. He also expressed condolences to the families of the other victims.Tim Gardner said on Saturday he expected his wife to remain in intensive care until at least Monday. He said she would face more surgery in the months ahead after doctors removed a damaged kidney and part of her colon this week. He also expressed condolences to the families of the other victims.
“I really feel bad for the two young people who were killed that day,” he said.“I really feel bad for the two young people who were killed that day,” he said.
The visitor center was scheduled to reopen on Saturday.The visitor center was scheduled to reopen on Saturday.
Flanagan shot himself to death after a police chase. A former reporter at WDBJ, he was fired from the station in 2013 for poor performance and conflicts with co-workers, who said he was always claiming to be the victim.Flanagan shot himself to death after a police chase. A former reporter at WDBJ, he was fired from the station in 2013 for poor performance and conflicts with co-workers, who said he was always claiming to be the victim.
Parker’s boyfriend, WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst, said Parker went on an assignment with Flanagan when she was an intern and innocently remarked that her friend lived on “Cotton Hill Road”. Flanagan accused her of making a racist remark, something he apparently did often.Parker’s boyfriend, WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst, said Parker went on an assignment with Flanagan when she was an intern and innocently remarked that her friend lived on “Cotton Hill Road”. Flanagan accused her of making a racist remark, something he apparently did often.
“She did not really know what he was upset about, specifically. She just knew that she felt uncomfortable being around him, as did many, many other people at the station,” Hurst said.“She did not really know what he was upset about, specifically. She just knew that she felt uncomfortable being around him, as did many, many other people at the station,” Hurst said.
Governor Terry McAuliffe met privately with station employees to share his condolences. The 50 or so workers have been described as a close-knit group, and they have continued reporting on their slain colleagues in the face of the tragedy. Governor Terry McAuliffe met privately with station employees to share his condolences. The 50 or so workers have been described as a close-knit group, and they have continued reporting on their colleagues in the face of the tragedy.
“The courage and determination they showed is truly, truly extraordinary,” McAuliffe said outside the station.“The courage and determination they showed is truly, truly extraordinary,” McAuliffe said outside the station.
Related: Virginia shooting victim's father says he will need to buy gun to defend himselfRelated: Virginia shooting victim's father says he will need to buy gun to defend himself
The governor talked about his support for universal background checks and said he and Alison Parker’s dad, Adam, would fight for tougher gun laws.The governor talked about his support for universal background checks and said he and Alison Parker’s dad, Adam, would fight for tougher gun laws.
“There are too many guns in America and there are clearly too many guns in the wrong hands,” the governor said. McAuliffe, himself a gun owner, also conceded that Flanagan had passed a background check. “There are too many guns in America and there are clearly too many guns in the wrong hands,” the governor said. McAuliffe, himself a gun owner, also acknowledged that Flanagan had passed a background check.
Parker’s boyfriend, not yet ready to take a stance on gun laws because he is a journalist, instead remembered the couple’s whitewater kayaking trip just one week ago.Parker’s boyfriend, not yet ready to take a stance on gun laws because he is a journalist, instead remembered the couple’s whitewater kayaking trip just one week ago.
“We went past a special place on the river where she turned to me and she said, ‘Chris, this is where I want to get married. Wouldn’t this be wonderful?’ And so now we’re going to place her ashes there.” “We went past a special place on the river where she turned to me and she said: ‘Chris, this is where I want to get married. Wouldn’t this be wonderful?’ And so now we’re going to place her ashes there.”