Reporter and Cameraman gunned down live on TV

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**angelofvengeance**

Ughh ANOTHER senseless act of violence...

http://time.com/4011147/photographer-and-reporter-killed-during-live-broadcast-virginia/

A third victim survived but remains in surgery

Two members of a television news crew were killed Wednesday during a live broadcast in Franklin County, Va., according to the crew’s station. The local sheriff’s department confirmed that the shooter remains at large.

A third victim was also identified by the Roanoke Times as Vicki Gardner, head of the local Chamber of Commerce. Gardner, who survived but remains in surgery, was being interviewed by Parker, according to paper.

Video of the broadcast begins like any local news report but turns grisly as the on-camera reporter screams and a gun can be heard firing multiple times. The video ends with the camera on the ground before cutting to a clearly distressed anchor.

WDBJ7, the crew’s station, identified the victims as photographer Adam Ward, 27, and reporter Alison Parker, 24. Parker was a graduate of James Madison University and Ward graduated from Virginia Tech, according to the station.

The incident occurred at Bridgewater Plaza, a shopping center in Moneta, Va. Local law enforcement remains on the scene, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has joined the manhunt for the suspect.

**squall018**

This is about 30 miles from where I live. I've been to bridgewater plaza numerous times. This is pretty upsetting, especially since its so close to home.

That being said, the police and FBI are in pursuit of the suspect as we speak on I64 and should have him soon.

**Sinful Hero**

The shooter was actually caught on camera when you look at the stills of the video- pointing a gun at the camera. Not sure if it's appropriate to link here.

**Nostromodamus**

Apparently shooter shot himself. Reports indicate he was an employee of the station at some point.

Very sad.

**Orlanth**

Senseless

**Iron_Captain**

Sinful Hero wrote:
The shooter was actually caught on camera when you look at the stills of the video- pointing a gun at the camera. Not sure if it's appropriate to link here.

I shall put it in a spoiler for those who want to see what happened. You don't actually see anyone getting hit, but you can indeed see the murderer very briefly when the camera falls to the ground.

Video of the incident (not graphic):

Spoiler:

That must be really weird (and shocking) when you are watching the news. Not really smart of the murderer too, to attack while on live TV.
I heard the murderer shot himself after being hunted down by police and FBI. I just can't comprehend why people feel the need to do this. It is so senseles...

**agnosto**

Killer put on twitter that he did it and female victim reported him to HR before she was hired.

Very sad, the camerman's fiancee is the morning producer and she was in the booth while the footage was being broadcast. Today was her last day because she got a job in Charlotte and she and the carmerman were both leaving the station to move there.

Just sad, these young people's lives cut short because some idiot held a grudge.

**Manchu**

- suspect is Vester Lee Flanagan a.k.a. Bryce Williams

Pic:

Spoiler:

- former employee of same station as his victims

- accused victim Allison Parker of making racist comments (in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint)

- fired from Tallahassee, FL , station in 2000; he sued alleging racial discrimination

- victim Adam Ward filed complaint about Flanagan with station HR department

- filmed himself murdering/attempting to murder, posted video online

- tweeted bragging about murders

- shot himself while driving on I-64

- still alive

**curran12**

I hope this dirtbag pulls through his injuries. Just so he can face the music.

**Snoopdeville3**

I seen the video this morning, this was awful..

**Seaward**

Snoopdeville3 wrote:
I seen the video this morning, this was awful..

The video the shooter himself took is worse. It's all over Reddit at the moment, and is about as surreal as it gets.

**DaKKaLAnce**

Yeah, this is one of the most graphic videos ive seen in a long time. Pretty messed up.

**MrDwhitey**

The latest is that he is in critical condition, not dead.

The POV video is pretty sick. He waits until the cameraman returns to looking at the reporter before he shoots.

**Nostromodamus**

curran12 wrote:
I hope this dirtbag pulls through his injuries. Just so he can face the music.

Prime candidate for letting the hospital interns get some practice in.

Hands-on training and it doesn't really matter if they feth it up.

**angelofvengeance**

Here's the jerk:

He also faxed a 23 page rant to ABC News..

Automatically Appended Next Post:

MrDwhitey wrote:
The latest is that he is in critical condition, not dead.

The POV video is pretty sick. He waits until the cameraman returns to looking at the reporter before he shoots.

Just seen that POV video. I feel ill :(

**Manchu**

Guy tested posting vids on FB a week ago. He clearly had this planned out well in advance.

**triplegrim**

Accuses collegue for being rascist, then goes and fulfills the biggest statistical stereotype there is of blacks, that of the murderous pistol shooter.

Man, I hope he pulls through the injuries and gets sent to a 24 hour isolation prison.

**Manchu**

We have the death sentence in VA.

**Ensis Ferrae**

Manchu wrote:
We have the death sentence in VA.

As much as I wanted to make UHF jokes..... I hope that justice is swift and whatever VA uses for carrying out capital punishment are severe.

**squall018**

Manchu wrote:
We have the death sentence in VA.

Won't be needed. It is now being reported that the guy has died.

**Nostromodamus**

squall018 wrote:
Manchu wrote:
We have the death sentence in VA.

Won't be needed. It is now being reported that the guy has died.

Saves some time and money. Good riddance. POS can now rot in Hell.

**HiveFleetPlastic**

I want to suggest showing some respect for the victims and not rubbernecking on videos of their murder.

**curran12**

squall018 wrote:
Manchu wrote:
We have the death sentence in VA.

Won't be needed. It is now being reported that the guy has died.

Cowardly little gak. Leave his friends and family to answer for his crimes. But good riddance, I suppose.

**NuggzTheNinja**

Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

**Breotan**

NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

How has our mental health system failed? In the USA we have this thing called Civil Rights and that means you can't be forced into treatment without being brought before a judge and adjudicated as a threat to yourself or others. Usually that doesn't happen until the insane person commits a crime. Since that didn't happen until the shooting, I think it's grossly unfair to blame "the system" for something it had nothing to do with.

Now, if he had been in and out of treatment for several years that would be a different story.

**NuggzTheNinja**

Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

How has our mental health system failed? In the USA we have this thing called Civil Rights and that means you can't be forced into treatment without being brought before a judge and adjudicated as a threat to yourself or others. Usually that doesn't happen until the insane person commits a crime. Since that didn't happen until the shooting, I think it's grossly unfair to blame "the system" for something it had nothing to do with.

Now, if he had been in and out of treatment for several years that would be a different story.

A guy who writes a 27 page psychorant clearly needs treatment. There's one thing that all of these shooters have in common: mental health problems. Treat these mentally ill people, and you can reduce the shootings.

**timetowaste85**

Know how I posted that comment in the "gay weddings yay or nay" thread about how Christians are supposed to love and/or honor everyone? Yeah, the guy who wrote that comment is sitting this one out.

This scumbag doesn't deserve sympathy. Much sympathy for all the families and friends involved, but I hope this piece of garbage gets dumped in a landfill somewhere. I know I personally wouldn't show up at his funeral if I was one of his family.

**Breotan**

NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

How has our mental health system failed? In the USA we have this thing called Civil Rights and that means you can't be forced into treatment without being brought before a judge and adjudicated as a threat to yourself or others. Usually that doesn't happen until the insane person commits a crime. Since that didn't happen until the shooting, I think it's grossly unfair to blame "the system" for something it had nothing to do with.

Now, if he had been in and out of treatment for several years that would be a different story.

A guy who writes a 27 page psychorant clearly needs treatment. There's one thing that all of these shooters have in common: mental health problems. Treat these mentally ill people, and you can reduce the shootings.

Okay. Given he didn't distribute this 27 page manifesto until he went to kill the reporter and cameraman, how was anyone supposed to know? Specifically, how was anyone that's part of "the system" supposed to know? How were "we" supposed to get this guy into treatment if he hadn't violated any law before today?

As a society with a Constitution and a priority on enforcing Civil Liberties, we can't just snatch people off the streets and institutionalize them because we think they're mentally ill. With no prior crime, there is no lawful measure by which society can intervene. Period.

**NuggzTheNinja**

Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

How has our mental health system failed? In the USA we have this thing called Civil Rights and that means you can't be forced into treatment without being brought before a judge and adjudicated as a threat to yourself or others. Usually that doesn't happen until the insane person commits a crime. Since that didn't happen until the shooting, I think it's grossly unfair to blame "the system" for something it had nothing to do with.

Now, if he had been in and out of treatment for several years that would be a different story.

A guy who writes a 27 page psychorant clearly needs treatment. There's one thing that all of these shooters have in common: mental health problems. Treat these mentally ill people, and you can reduce the shootings.

Okay. Given he didn't distribute this 27 page manifesto until he went to kill the reporter and cameraman, how was anyone supposed to know? Specifically, how was anyone that's part of "the system" supposed to know? How were "we" supposed to get this guy into treatment if he hadn't violated any law before today?

As a society with a Constitution and a priority on enforcing Civil Liberties, we can't just snatch people off the streets and institutionalize them because we think they're mentally ill. With no prior crime, there is no lawful measure by which society can intervene. Period.

He was fired from multiple jobs for anger issues. Considering public urination is grounds for denial in a NICS check, I'd say that warrants a further look.

**Breotan**

NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Breotan wrote:
NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Really sad...our defective mental health system wins again (citing the 27 page rant he apparently sent to ABC).

How has our mental health system failed? In the USA we have this thing called Civil Rights and that means you can't be forced into treatment without being brought before a judge and adjudicated as a threat to yourself or others. Usually that doesn't happen until the insane person commits a crime. Since that didn't happen until the shooting, I think it's grossly unfair to blame "the system" for something it had nothing to do with.

Now, if he had been in and out of treatment for several years that would be a different story.

A guy who writes a 27 page psychorant clearly needs treatment. There's one thing that all of these shooters have in common: mental health problems. Treat these mentally ill people, and you can reduce the shootings.

Okay. Given he didn't distribute this 27 page manifesto until he went to kill the reporter and cameraman, how was anyone supposed to know? Specifically, how was anyone that's part of "the system" supposed to know? How were "we" supposed to get this guy into treatment if he hadn't violated any law before today?

As a society with a Constitution and a priority on enforcing Civil Liberties, we can't just snatch people off the streets and institutionalize them because we think they're mentally ill. With no prior crime, there is no lawful measure by which society can intervene. Period.

He was fired from multiple jobs for anger issues.

Not a crime.

NuggzTheNinja wrote:
Considering public urination is grounds for denial in a NICS check, I'd say that warrants a further look.

Public urination is a crime in most jurisdictions and yes, being convicted of that can screw up your NICS check, at least until you clear it up. Being an angry black man is not a crime (even if it is a stereotype) and wouldn't have thrown any flags for the NICS unless he had previously acted out, been charged with a crime, and been brought before a judge - none of which happened.