The suspected gunman in the shooting of two WDBJ7 journalists in Moneta, Virginia, has shot himself on the highway after being chased by police. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanagan, was a former employee of the station.
The shooting took place at around 6:45 a.m. during a live broadcast from Bridgewater Plaza, a dining and shopping area. Adam Ward, 27, was behind the camera and Alison Parker, 24, was interviewing Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
WDBJ7 announced that Ward and Parker were both killed. Gardner was also shot in the back and is currently being treated at an area hospital.
State police said that Flanagan, who was professionally known as Bryce Williams, was confronted on Interstate 66 in Fauquier County. He shot himself and is currently in critical condition. Police did say initially that he had killed himself, but he did survive.
WDBJ General Manager Jeff Marks told CNN that Flanagan was fired two years ago. He said that Flanagan did make accusations against the station, but he doesn’t think that Flanagan and Parker worked at the station at the same time.
ABC News reports that it received a 23-page manifesto from Flanagan, which they have turned over to authorities.
During the manhunt, Flanagan remained active on Twitter and Facebook, notes USA Today. He even posted two short videos of the shooting. Both of his accounts have been suspended.
Both Parker and Ward were from the area. Chris Hurst, another reporter at the network, tweeted that they were dating for nine months. Ward was engaged to producer Melissa Ott.
“I am comforted by everyone at @WDBJ7. We are a family,” Hurst wrote. “She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee.”
screenshot from WDBJ7 YouTube video