2 Virginia television journalists fatally shot in on-air attack

Two television journalists were fatally shot and their interview subject was injured in Virginia on Wednesday morning during a live television interview, according to the journalists’ station, WDBJ7.

The attack occurred around 6:45 a.m. EDT during a live broadcast in Bedford County, when shots could be heard, sending the reporter and the person she was interviewing screaming and ducking for cover.

WDBJ7, based in Roanoke, Virginia, said reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, died in the attack.

“We believe it was a disgruntled employee who fired at the TV crew; not a case of terrorism,” Governor Terry McAuliffe said.

The ATF has said it is involved in the manhunt for the gunman.According to CNN, authorities have a name and license plate number for a suspect and a chase is underway.

McAuliffe added that police are now pursuing the suspect on a nearby highway and his arrest is “imminent.”

Schools in the surrounding area have been placed on perimeter lockdown until further notice, WSLS10 reports, citing Bedford County Schools’ superintendent.

“We learned the shooter left the scene by car and may be on the way to the Roanoke area,” the local superintendent said.

“We are working with Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle; additional deputies are being sent to the schools, and the department is on high alert.”

The station where two journalists were killed is putting on an incredible broadcast now. Both were clearly very loved http://t.co/lSf5pb23Sh

— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 26, 2015
Parker and Ward were filming a feature segment for the morning news program at Bridgewater Plaza, a shopping and recreation plaza.

At the moment of the shooting, Parker and Ward were interviewing Vicki Gardner, the local Chamber of Commerce head. Gardner was shot in the back during the attack and was moved to surgery.

The video appeared to show the gunman before the feed cut.

This is a picture of the man that appears to have shot and killed a photographer on live TV in Virginia this morning: pic.twitter.com/1t0oS4d2yY

— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 26, 2015
Kimberly McBroom, anchorwoman of WDBJ7’s “Mornin'” newscast, said during Wednesday morning’s broadcast: “We’ve lost two members of our family. [Others have] lost a daughter, a son, a fiancé.”

The Roanoke Times reports that Parker was in a relationship with WDBJ evening co-anchor Chris Hurst. Ward was engaged to WDBJ producer Melissa Ott, and the two were planning to leave the Roanoke area in the near future.

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Republished by the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A.