Breaking News Virginia Reporter, Photographer Shot Dead on Live TV

Reporter and her cameraman are murdered on live TV: Hunt for ‘disgruntled station employee’ whose attack was seen by viewers Local CBS news station WDBJ has confirmed that reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward have died Vicki Gardner, the local chamber of commerce director, was also shot in the back and was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery The incident happened at 6:45am near Moneta, Virginia Ward was filming Parker interview Gardner in the area when about eight gunshots were heard Video of the broadcast shows Parker and Gardner scream and duck after gunshots ring out and the camera falls to the floor A person wearing all black is then seen holding up a gun in one hand Police are reportedly chasing the shooter in a vehicle WARNING: Video of the shooting may be disturbing. A disgruntled employee at a small Virginia news station is believed to be behind a deadly early morning shooting that was caught on live TV. The unidentified gunman shot dead reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward as the two were conducting a live interview with Vicki Gardner, the local chamber of commerce director, at 6:45am. Suddenly eight shots ring out and screams are heard as the women duck down and the camera falls to the floor. The camera is still running as a person dressed in all black appears and aims a gun at Ward. Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, died at the scene while Gardner was rushed to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said police are ‘right behind’ the suspect and believes he will be in custody soon. ‘Law enforcement personnel have a photo of the suspect. We believe it’s a disgruntled former employee of the station, and they’re in pursuit,’ Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe told WTOP. The alleged shooter has been identified by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office as Vester Lee Flanagan. He is believed to be driving a 2009 gray Mustang. However, authorities have not officially named Flanagan as a suspect. Flanagan, who also goes by Brice Williams, allegedly worked at WDBJ as a multimedia and general assignment reporter before being fired. It’s my very very sad duty to report… that Alison and Adam died this morning,’ WDBJ’s general manager came on the air to say after the incident. Gardner was also shot in the back in the attack and was taken to the hospital where she was last reported in surgery. About 30 to 40 police officers are in the area, trying to track down the shooter. A spokesman with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries confirmed that half of their department are searching the scene on shoreline and surrounding area for the shooting. Meanwhile the Dudley, Burnt Chimney and Windy Gap elementary schools as well as Bedford County school have been placed on lockdown. No description of the suspect has been released yet.