Gunman Identified in WDBJ Shooting, Kills 2 Reporters on Live TV

Authorities are still searching for Vester Flanagan, a former WDBJ-TV reporter, who is believed to have shot and killed two journalists, Alison Parker and Adam Ward, on live television during an interview in Moneta, Virginia. The shooting occurred at Bridgewater Plaza and was broadcast on air before the station cut away to a shocked anchor, Kimberly McBroom. Flanagan, who was known by the on-air name Bryce Williams, was fired from the station about a year ago, but the reason for his termination was not publicly disclosed. The investigation is ongoing, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI participating in the search for Flanagan.

Key Takeaways:

• Vester Flanagan, a former WDBJ-TV reporter, is believed to have shot and killed two journalists, Alison Parker and Adam Ward, during a live interview on August 26, 2015.
• Flanagan worked at WDBJ as a reporter for about a year using the on-air name Bryce Williams before being fired.
• The reason for his termination was not publicly disclosed.
• Flanagan was driving a 2009 gray Ford Mustang and has not been found as of the latest updates.
• The investigation is ongoing, with the ATF and FBI participating in the search for Flanagan.
• Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, were shot and killed during the interview, which was broadcast on live television.
• Vicki Gardner, a local business owner, was also shot and taken to the hospital for surgery.
• Flanagan's motive is still unclear, but authorities believe he may have been a disgruntled employee of the TV station.
• The shooting has left the community in shock, with WDBJ employees and alumni expressing their condolences and horror at the event.
• The station went into lockdown, and local schools were also placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
• Chris Hurst, a reporter at WDBJ, tweeted that he and Parker were in a relationship and had just moved in together.
• Parker and Ward worked together every day and were described by their colleagues as a close-knit team.

Statistics:

• The shooting occurred on August 26, 2015, at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia.
• Vester Flanagan, the suspected gunman, fired six or seven times, killing both Alison Parker and Adam Ward.
• Vicki Gardner, a local business owner, was shot and taken to the hospital for surgery.
• The investigation is ongoing, with the ATF and FBI participating in the search for Flanagan.
• WDBJ-TV station was broadcasting live at the time of the shooting, and the station cut away to a shocked anchor, Kimberly McBroom.
• The shooting has left the community in shock, with many expressing their condolences and horror at the event.
• The incident has sparked a national conversation about gun violence and the safety of journalists on the job.

Sources:

• CNN (Eliott C. McLaughlin, CNN)
• WDBJ-TV (Kimberly McBroom, anchor)
• Virginia Tech (Robert Denton, professor)
• Augusta County Sheriff's Department
• WTOP radio (interview with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe)
• ABC News (tweet about the manifesto from the gunman)
• Facebook (Vicki Gardner's account)
• Twitter (Bryce Williams' account)