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Annoncering
As a local NBC affiliate reports, the suspect is believed by Virginia officials to be a disgruntled ex-employee named Vester Lee Flanigan who went by the name Bryce Williams while employed with WDBJ. Flanigan apparently posted graphic videos of the attack and the moments preceding it on his Twitter account, which has since been suspended.ABC News said in a tweet that they had received a fax from someone purporting to be the shooter.UPDATE: Vester Lee Flanagan, the alleged shooter in Virginia, attempted to kill himself and is in critical condition — Newsweek (@Newsweek)August 26, 2015
At the time of the shooting, Parker was interviewing Vicki Gardner, the director of Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce. Gardner, who was shot in the back, has reportedly already been through successful surgery.WDBJ7 General Manager and Vice President Jeff Marks went on air at 8:45 AM, and confirmed Parker and Ward's deaths, saying, "We always say 'senseless' crime. How can this individual have robbed Alison and Adam's families of their lives and loves?"A source told the New Yorker's Ryan Lizza that the suspect—who worked at the network for about a year—is also believed to be "the victim's ex-boyfriend":
Parker and Ward were both in committed relationships with other employees at the network. Parker and another anchor at the station, Chris Hurst, were planning to get married, he tweeted after the attack. Ward was engaged to producer Melissa Ott.This post will be updated as more information becomes available.A source in Virginia close to the police who are working on this case tells me that they believe the shooter is victim's ex-boyfriend.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza)August 26, 2015
