WDBJ7 Reporter Killed On Air

This is horrible. The video, thankfully, doesn't show them being killed. You can hear shots and the reporter screaming, but the graphic nature of the video is in the immediacy of it, not in what you can see or deduce from the clip.

I read the accompanying article and did not watch the video -- what was the story they were reporting on? And did that relate to their murders or was this one of those random things?

Kylabelle said:

I read the accompanying article and did not watch the video -- what was the story they were reporting on? And did that relate to their murders or was this one of those random things?

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It was just a little community piece on the area of Smith Mountain Lake (I've been there. It's gorgeous.) The reporter is talking with a local official about promoting tourism in the region. Shots are fired and the cameraman lowers the camera, presumably to run. There is a moment of feet and jostling, while all three people try to get clear of the shooter. The reporter is screaming, but it's not in any way clear that she's been shot or when, specifically, that would have happened during the volley. Of course, she was shot, and fatally. It's just not on camera, and the audio doesn't give any indication. That would have been even more horrible for her loved ones. The clip is about 20 seconds long and they cut immediately away to the anchor in the studio who has no idea what to say about what just happened.

I don't know if they've even caught the guy. I need to go check. No telling if it was random by what we know from the video.

Both members of the team died - Alison Parker and Adam Ward (eta: the woman they were interviewing, from the local chamber of commerce was also shot in the back of the head. Current reports say she's in surgery.)

For fuck's sake, America...

God, I hope they catch him and soon.

I see. What I've read indicates that no one knows anything, pretty much. I am going to hazard a guess that the motive was an insane one, having to do with generating the shock such a video would (will) produce in viewers, and had nothing else to do either with the story being reported or the individuals who were killed. It was a handy place to lurk and wreak havoc.

That's my guess.

Absolutely horrifying. I didn't watch the video, but am keeping up with the updates on twitter as they come in...just terrifying, and tragic.

CNN has more details.

What in God's name is happening?

Yikes.

The cameraman's last act was to film the man who shot them.

Yikes.

I am so very tired of people being shot while going about their lives.

What a horrible, horrible thing.

Reports are that it's a disgruntled employee of the station - Cops are chasing him down.

https://twitter.com/WHSVnews/status/636537359694233600

The suspect in the #WDBJ shooting is being chased north on I-81

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I'm so glad they have him in sight. Now praying there's no crash.

Just Another Day of Sudden Death in the Land of the Gun

I've seen a thousand pretty young reporters like Alison Parker doing stand-ups on television a thousand times. These are usually the softball, slice of life, non-news stories every station uses to fill time between the hard stuff, weather and sports.

I've seen 'em a thousand times. I've never seen a pretty young reporter murdered on live television. I've never seen a cameraman's last act is film his killer.

Whenever you think you've seen it all you get a nasty reminder you haven't seen anything yet.

Sheryl Nantus said:

Reports are that it's a disgruntled employee of the station - Cops are chasing him down.

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Vester Flanagan. Apparently a former reporter for the station. Here's hoping he dies of something horrible.

He went by Bryce Williams on air. I'm following the WHSV Twitter feed.

NSFW, trigger warning: https://twitter.com/bryce_williams7

That's his account. That's him filming himself killing the people.


ETA: account was just suspended. No question about what went down. Unbelievable.

Twitter worked fast. That account is suspended.

Twitter already erased it. Perhaps for the best.

Eta: whoops, crosspost.

Perks said:

I'm so glad they have him in sight. Now praying there's no crash.

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I hope they take the dirty bastard alive.

But it won't ruin my day if they don't.

robeiae said:

NSFW, trigger warning: https://twitter.com/bryce_williams7

That's his account. That's him filming himself killing the people.


ETA: account was just suspended. No question about what went down. Unbelievable.

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What a sick, twisted FUCK.

Yeah. That was fast. Can't believe I stumbled upon it, though.

Makes me think the end game here is suicide or suicide by cop. Hopefully he won't have a chance to shoot anyone else.