Image Credit: WDBJ7
Early Wednesday morning two employees for WDBJ7, a Virginia news source, were gunned down during a live broadcast at the Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, VA.
During a live broadcast on Wednesday at around 6:45am a gunman opened fire on photographer Adam Ward, 27, and WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker. Both individuals have been pronounced dead.
It was also reported by WDBJ7 that Vicki Gardner, of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, was also shot and is currently in surgery.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 3 individuals were shot and 2 of the 3 have been pronounced dead in a statement made Wednesday morning.
“The Franklin County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred this morning at Bridgewater Plaza near Smith Mountain Lake. At this time, Franklin County sheriff’s officials can confirm that three people were shot. Two of the individuals are deceased and a third victim is hospitalized.”
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office went on to say how they have not yet apprehended the shooter however they did provide a still shot, from the WDBJ7 camera, of the shooter (see below) and are asking anyone with information to call them at 540-483-3000.
Image Credit: WDBJ7
The above picture came from the WDBJ7 camera which fell after the camera man, Adam Ward, was shot.
UPDATE:
Vester Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, was named the suspect in the shooting and has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton.
Flanagan was a former employee at WDBJ7, and, based on a 25-page manifesto he had sent before committing the murders, had known the two employees.