Vester Lee Flanagan aka Bryce Williams Named as Virginia Shooter is Believed to Have Shot Himself

Crazy stuff going on in the world, and the proliferation of arms and access to it is NOT helping matters!

WDBJ7 TV reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed during an interview in the town of Moneta, the TV station has said.

A man, apparently a disgruntled former employee of the TV station, uploaded a video of himself shooting the reporter at close range on social media.

US media reports say he has subsequently shot himself – but is still alive.

Live updates on manhunt for gunman

Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has named the suspect as Vester Lee Flanagan. Known professionally as Bryce Williams, police said he was a former WDBJ7 staff member. His Twitter and Facebook accounts have now been suspended. The attack took place at a large shopping centre, Bridgewater Plaza, near Smith Mountain Lake.

Ms Parker was starting a breakfast TV interview about tourism at the shopping centre when suddenly eight shots rang out, the camera spun and dropped to the ground, and her screams could be heard.

The footage then captures what appears to be a fleeting image of the gunman, who is wearing black trousers and a blue top – and holding a handgun.

The station said the woman who was being interviewed, Vicki Gardner of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, had survived the attack but was in hospital and required surgery.

Alison Parker

• Aged 24
• Reporter for WDBJ7’s Mornin’ show
• Grew up in Martinsville, Virginia
• Attended Patrick Henry Community College and the James Madison University, edited university newspaper The Breeze
• In her spare time, liked whitewater kayaking and attending community theatre events
• Was dating station anchor Chris Hurst

Adam Ward

• Aged 27
• Cameraman
• Graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Virginia, and Virginia Tech
• Engaged to station producer, Melissa Ott

Culled from www.bbc.co.uk