Reporter and cameraman killed doing live interview in Virginia [developing]
*This story is still developing and will be updated as information is received
Vester L. Flanagan II, a former reporter for WDBJ, fatally shot two members of a central Virginia news crew while the reporter and cameraman were reporting live.
The shooting occurred at 6:45am this morning at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Va.
The victims were 24 year old reporter Alison Parker and 27 year old camera operator Adam Ward of WDBJ 7 news. They were reporting on an upcoming anniversary celebration when shots could be heard, followed by screams and the camera falling to the ground. A blurry figure thought to be the gunman is then briefly visible.
https://youtu.be/DbG7uFxVfnY
Update: Allison Parker and photographer Adam Ward have been killed in the shooting at Bridgewater Plaza at SML. pic.twitter.com/m4ElK04GLf
— Brent Watts WDBJ (@wattsupbrent) August 26, 2015
A state trooper attempted to stop Flanagan, but the suspect gave chase, lost control and crashed into a highway barrier. When police approached the vehicle, they found Vester with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Flanagan later died.
Flanagan had faxed out a Manifesto of sorts forecasting violent intentions.
“I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!” ABC quoted the manifesto as saying. “You (deleted)! You want a race war (deleted)? BRING IT THEN YOU WHITE …(deleted)!!!”
The contents of the manifesto indicate race as a motive. It