A WDBJ7 female reporter and cameraman were killed Wednesday morning about 6:45 a.m. in an attack at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia during a live broadcast.
The shooting victims killed are identified as Alison Parker, age 24, and Adam Ward, age 27.
A third shooting victim was shot in the back. Vicki Gardner, the head of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce was being interviewed by WDBJ when Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed. Vicki Gardner was reported to be in surgery for her gunshot wound(s) Wednesday morning.
The Franklin County Sheriff Department reported that three people had been shot in the incident at the Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia.
A search for the suspect was immediately underway after the shooting. Police are also working to discover whether this was a random or targeted shooting.
In the live broadcast Alison Parker is interviewing a woman when the sounds of gunshot are heard. The camera drops to the ground as Alison Parker is visibly shocked and screaming.
News anchor Kimberly McBroom in the studio responds saying, “OK, not sure what happened there. We will, of course, let you know as soon as we find out what those sounds were from.”
Single frame analysis has apparently captured a view of the shooter, who appears to be a male with a beard — possibly with a dark complexion. The man was wearing all dark or black clothing and black shoes.
DEVELOPING …
Alison Parker’s introduction at WDBJ as the new morning reporter.
KILLED ON AIR: Watch the moments before 2 members of news crew shot dead during live broadcast http://t.co/f89igL7PlP pic.twitter.com/pRQrm0oZfB
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) August 26, 2015
Screen grab being shared on social media shows apparent black-clad gunman opening fire on @WDBJ7 crew in Moneta, Va. pic.twitter.com/sqW1C2NwQy
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) August 26, 2015
#BREAKING WDBJ: Reporter Alison Parker and photographer Adam Ward shot to death on air in #Moneta, Virginia pic.twitter.com/YiM2PzhTDP
— Carol Costello (@CarolCNN) August 26, 2015
BREAKING: TV news reporter & photographer shot & killed covering story – http://t.co/vw4adrBTwP pic.twitter.com/NICmOJsvtX
— WTNH News 8 (@WTNH) August 26, 2015
My heart goes out to the WDBJ morning show team and the families of Alison and Adam. pic.twitter.com/xX8QES0q4l
— Robin Meade (@RobinMeade) August 26, 2015
Police now hunting this man, seen firing the gun in the Virginia TV shooting pic.twitter.com/24WwmN6Pfr
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) August 26, 2015
Two journalists shot dead during a live TV broadcast; @WDBJ7 colleagues pay tribute http://t.co/iGyHadyhil pic.twitter.com/iZbhqmVCTI
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 26, 2015
NYPD is increasing security at TV stations in NYC after VA crew is killed during live report
http://t.co/8UgGM4kO9T pic.twitter.com/ojG0ofz8sL
— Julian Glover (@JulianGloverTV) August 26, 2015