A reporter and cameraman for a CBS affiliate (WDBJ-TV) in Virginia were brutally gunned down Wednesday morning live on the air during a broadcast. Alison Parker who is 24 years old and Adam Ward, 27 were reporting live while interviewing Vicki Gardner, the executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia and that is when the shots can be heard followed by screaming and Adam drops the camera as he apparently falls to the ground.
The two have been announced dead by the stations general manager Jeff Marks around 6:45 AM.
This is horrible news and witnessing the video on social media is even more disturbing. Prayers go out to the families and staff of Alison and Adam. The motive behind this is still vague as the story develops but the man behind this gruesome act is still at large.
We will provide anymore details concerning this incident as it presents itself. Hopefully the person responsible is captured immediately.
To read more on what happened head on over to CBS.
UPDATE: There are reports from CNN’s Brian Stelter (@BrianStelter) that the Virginia Governor told WTOP they believe the shooter was a disgruntled former employee from the news station and are in pursuit and is 20 minutes north of Verona on I-81 (via:@WHSVnews).
Also Vicki Gardner (who was being interviewed) has reportedly been shot in the back during the incident and is in surgery as of 9:30 AM. Adams fiance, who has been identified as part of the morning news as a producer, was aware of the shooting as she watched it live on the air in the control room. Adding insult to injury, today was her last day and there was a party at the news station for her.