For Alison Parker and Adam Ward, it was a normal work day morning as they interviewed Vicki Gardner of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce when a gunman opened fire. The live broadcast footage has gone viral where we can hear gunshots and screams from the victims. The suspected shooter has been identified as Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams. He has been confirmed to be a former WDBJ7 employee. Sadly, the reporter and the camera man have died. Gardner is injured and recovering. "There are no words to express how heartbroken I am by the senseless tragedy in Moneta," U.S. Senator Tim Kaine said in a statement. "My deepest sympathies go out to the loved ones of Alison Parker and Adam Ward, as well as the entire WDBJ family. I ask everyone to join me in praying for Vicki Gardner… and all of the local authorities and first responders who are working hard to find the perpetrator of this horrific crime."
Bryce Williams shot himself and was found by authorities. It was initially reported that he had died, but WDBJ7 is reporting that he still has a pulse and is in critical condition. "He was sort of looking out for people to say something he could take offense to," Jeff Marks, general manager of WDBJ7, said during a news conference. "After many incidents of his anger coming to the fore, we dismissed him and he did not take that well. We had to call the police to escort him form the building." The most gruesome part of all is that Williams tweeted his reasons for shooting the reporters. Worst of all is that he posted a video on Facebook from the incident. In the footage, we can see Williams walking up to the crew and aligning his gun to the victims. Alison is the first to get shot at, as she runs away from the gunman. Both his Twitter and Facebook accounts have been suspended.
UPDATE: Gunman has died at a hospital after self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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