WDBJ7 remembers Alison Parker, Adam Ward with on-air moment of silence

The journalists at WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia had to return to work today, a day after two of their colleagues were shot and killed before their eyes on live television. To honor them, the anchors held a moment of silence on-air.

The anchors held hands during the moment, when the producers had pictures of Adam Ward, 27, and Alison Parker, 24, on screen. Anchor Kim McBroom thanked viewers for their support. Weatherman Leo Hirsbrunner and co-anchor Steve Grant were also visibly shaken.

“We are ending this moment with our continued thanks for support from all of you at home,” McBroom said. “You have been our rock, our strength during this time. This hurts all of us so much, as you can see, but we will, with time and the blessings of our many friends out there, all of you, we will heal from this.”

As the Associated Press notes, Chris Hurst, who is also a reporter at the station and Parker’s boyfriend, was also on the morning show. “You won't be seeing me in my normal position for, who really knows how long. But hopefully not too long because Alison would want me back,” he told viewers.

Parker and Ward were shot and killed while doing a live report in Moneta at the shopping area Bridgewater Plaza. They were interviewing Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce. Gardner was injured and is now listed in good condition, WDBJ reports.

The suspect was Vester Flanagan, a former WDBJ reporter. He shot himself on the highway and later died at a hospital.

screenshot from WDBJ7 YouTube video

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