Official: Suspect in TV news crew shooting dies
A cameraman and reporter are dead after a gunman opened fire during a live report in Virginia.
Updated 2 mins ago
MONETA, Va. -- The former anchor that opened fire during a live report in Virginia killing a reporter and a photographer is dead.
A press conference is underway in Virginia. Here's what we know so far:
Both journalists died at the scene
The suspect died in a hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
The third victim is recovering at a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Virginia State Police say that as they were pursuing the suspect in an on-air fatal shooting, he ran off the road and crashed, and was found suffering from a gunshot wound. The FBI was involved in the manhunt. He later died in hospital.
The suspect is 41-year-old Vester Lee Flanagan II, of Roanoke, says Becky Coyner with dispatch and records at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. He went by Bryce Williams on air, according to WHSV, the ABC affiliate in the Shenandoah Valley. Gov. Terry McAuliffe said that the shooter was a "disgruntled employee."
Local TV station WDBJ, a CBS affiliate serving the Roanoke-Lynchburg television market, confirmed that the reporter and cameraman were fatally shot on air when a gunman opened fire during a report about tourism at a shopping center.
The victims were reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27. Jeffrey A. Marks, the station's general manager, described how it happened.
"Alison screamed and started running away. By that time we believe Adam was already shot. Alison was shot as she ran away," Marks said.
In a later broadcast Marks said Flanagan had to be escorted by police out of the station when he was fired. Marks described him as "an unhappy man" and "difficult to work with," always "looking out for people to say things he could take offense to."
In an emotional moment on air Marks went on to say, "I'm not really sure if I want him to live or die."
Parker grew up in Martinsville, Va., and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University. She previously worked at WCTI NewsChannel 12 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She was an avid kayaker and attended community theater events in her spare time. Ward, the cameraman, attended Salem High School and Virginia Tech, the station reported.
Marks said that both victims were in relationships with other members of the station's staff. Parker reportedly brought in balloons Wednesday morning for Ward's fiancee, who was celebrating her last day on the job.
An anchor for the station, Chris Hurst, wrote on social media that he was Parker's boyfriend, posting a tribute to her.
"We have other members of the team with us today holding back tears, frankly," Marks said.
A third victim in the shooting was Vicki Gardner, according to a spokesperson for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She is a "close friend and member of the Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Board of Directors," the spokesperson said. She underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering in stable condition.
Marks also reflected on the dangers of live reporting.
"You send people into war zones, you send people into dangerous situations, riots, and you worry that they're going to get hurt. You send somebody to do a story on tourism, how can you ever expect something like this to happen?" he said.
Schools in the area were placed on lockdown in response to the situation.
The shooting occurred when the team was covering a story at Bridgewater Plaza, a recreational facility with shops, restaurants, a mini golf course and boat rentals, ABC News reports. Moneta is about 25 miles southeast of Roanoke.
ABC News received a 23-page fax from someone claiming to be Bryce Williams. It was turned it over to authorities. Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD has increased security outside TV stations in New York City, including WABC.
Check back for more updates as they are available.The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.