Vicki Gardner, Virginia on-air shooting survivor, says instinct saved her life
|
Version 0 of 1. Vicki Gardner, the woman who survived an on-air shooting in which two TV journalists died, has told how the gunman never said a word. In her first public comments since last month’s shooting, the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce executive director spoke with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News in an interview broadcast on Tuesday night. Gardner said that while being interviewed on live TV on 26 August in the Virginia town she had been paying attention to the camera but noticed something down the walkway. “I just saw movement and then gunfire. Lots and lots of gunfire,” Gardner said. “From that point it was very chaotic.” Vester Flanagan walked up and opened fire, killing WDBJ-TV cameraman Adam Ward and reporter Alison Parker with gunshots to the head and body. Gardner thought she was next. “I realized it was quiet and everybody was down. And I didn’t know where [Flanagan] was,” Gardner said. “I felt as though the next shot — I knew — the next shot he was just going to shoot me in the head because that was what he was doing.” Related: Father of Virginia TV shooting victim: I'll do 'whatever it takes' to reform gun laws Gardner said after the initial shots she instinctively dropped to the ground and got into the fetal position, pretending to be dead. As he moved about Flanagan was “very silent” and didn’t speak, Gardner said. Then he returned and shot her in the back. “Had I continued to stand, I would not be here talking to you,” she said. Flanagan fatally shot himself five hours later after a police chase. The case stoked the debate about gun control, with Parker’s father vowing to do “whatever it takes” to bring about reform and damning the gun lobby’s hold on politicians. Gardner said she thought a bullet had gone through her spine and she would be paralyzed. Doctors did have to remove a kidney and part of her colon, but she was well enough to be released from a Roanoke hospital on 7 September. “I’m happy to be here,” she said. Gardner said that although she had watched video of the shootings it was too soon to return to the scene at the Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center. “Why save me and take them?” she said of Parker and Ward. “But obviously there’s a purpose — and by golly I will fulfill it.” On Monday night Parker’s bereaved boyfriend, Chris Durst, returned to his WDBJ anchor job for the first time since the shootings, wearing a striped tie that Parker gave to him on Valentine’s Day. Durst said: “I know the answer to what we all must do — it is to profess love, not hate.” With Associated Press |