Two members of the WDBJ7 news team, 24-year-old Alison Parker and 27-year-old Adam Ward, were filming a short piece for the morning news when tragedy struck. During the live interview at Bridgewater Plaza, a former WDBJ reporter approached the team and open fired.
Parker and Ward tragically died. Another woman at the scene was injured.
CBS News featured the brutal attack during coverage of the shooting. (Warning: The video itself is graphic — viewer discretion is advised.)
This still image is from the video of the shooting, moments before the shooter attacked.
Parker and Ward were interviewing Vicki Gardner about the upcoming 50th anniversary festivities for Smith Mountain Lake when they were attacked.
From the report released by the Virginia State Police:
The Franklin County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred this morning at Bridgewater Plaza near Smith Mountain Lake. At this time, Franklin County sheriff’s officials can confirm that three people were shot. Two of the individuals are deceased and a third victim is hospitalized. The shooting occurred around 6:45 a.m. during a WDBJ 7 (CBS affiliate) live shot.
It’s hard to understand how or why Flanagan could’ve committed this brutal crime.
The man responsible for the carnage, Vester Lee Flanagan II, was known to viewers in the WDBJ7 viewing area as Bryce Williams.
Flanagan didn’t stop after murdering his coworkers, though. He fled the scene and began posting from his social media accounts.
The Bryce Williams Twitter account (@bryce_williams7) and the corresponding Facebook account are now deactivated. Before they were shut down, he let the public know that he filmed the shooting. Not only that — but he posted the video online.
The shocking video has since been removed from Facebook.
This is from the video that Flanagan cruelly recorded before ending two lives.
Facebook / Vester Flanagan
He was standing just behind Parker and Ward.
Flanagan was on the run after the attack. The WDBJ station is based in Roanoke, Virginia. The shooting occurred near Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, about 25 miles southeast of Roanoke. While the shooter ran, the crew at the station locked themselves indoors — in shock and preparing for the worst.
Authorities caught up with Flanagan near mile marker 17 on I-66 highway around 11:25 a.m. Wednesday. The suspect shot himself, although he did not die at the scene.
Facebook / Vester Flanagan
It is truly heartbreaking to see such a cruel act of violence end young, innocent lives. Please share this — keep the friends and family of the victims in your thoughts and prayers.
