Update, August 26, 2015, 2:25 p.m. EST: The suspected gunman, Vester Flanagan, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sheriff Bill Overton announced in a press conference.
Update, August 26, 2015, 1:00 p.m. EST: Following a police chase, authorities found Flanagan suffering from a gunshot wound. It appears to have been self-inflicted.
Two members of a Virginia news crew were shot and killed during a live news segment on Wednesday morning. Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as Vester Lee Flanagan, according to multiple sources. He reportedly went by the name Bryce Williams professionally. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told a local radio station that the suspect was believed to be a “disgruntled employee” of the news station, WDBJ.
BREAKING: Local media reports suspect in Virginia shooting of two journalists has been identified, is being pursued.
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) August 26, 2015
We love you, Alison and Adam. pic.twitter.com/hLSzQi06XE
— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
The shooting occurred at Bridgewater Plaza, a shopping center in Moneta, Virginia, where reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were both killed. WDBJ confirmed their deaths. The head of the local Chamber of Commerce, Vicki Gardner, who was being interviewed by Parker at the time, was also injured in the attack. She is out of emergency surgery and in stable condition.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t immediately be reached for confirmation of the suspect’s identity.
Part of the shooting was recorded on video and posted to social media accounts. It was later taken down.
Below is a live newscast of the outlet’s coverage of the shooting:
This is a breaking news post. We will update as more information becomes available.
