Station, officials issue updates after journalists’ shooting
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a Virginia reporter and camera operator, social media became the go-to source of information. (Update)
A gunman fatally shot Roanoke, Virginia-area TV station WDBJ reporter Alison Parker and camera operator Adam Ward on the air Wednesday morning.
According to Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the gunman was a former employee of the station. Later reports identified the suspect as Vester Lee Flanagan, who reported at the station under the name Bryce Williams. Apparently Williams was tweeting videos of the shooting to his Twitter account Wednesday morning. His account was quickly suspended.
According to a report from local station WHSV, Flanagan shot himself:
#BREAKING Reports: Alleged #WDBJ shooter Vester Flanagan has shot himself: http://t.co/Psk0FIEp31
— WHSVnews (@WHSVnews) August 26, 2015
Earlier, McAuliffe also tweeted this message:
Heartbroken over senseless murders today in Smith Mountain Lake. State Police on scene working w/ local law agencies to capture suspect.
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