Suspected WDBJ7 gunman reportedly shoots himself after posting disturbing videos of attack
Alleged WDBJ7 shooter Vester Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, has shot himself and is in critical condition, state police say. (Update: Flanagan was pronounced dead later on Wednesday afternoon.) Flanagan, a former employee of the Virginia CBS affiliate, is suspected of shooting and killing WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, early Wednesday morning. A third victim — Vicki Gardner of the local Chamber of Commerce — is recovering after surgery.
The beginning of the attack was caught during a live broadcast. In that footage, Parker is seen interviewing Gardner about tourism at the Bridgewater Plaza when gunshots ring out. Parker is heard screaming before the camera cuts out.
Before shooting himself on Interstate 66 a few hours after the attack, Flanagan posted other extremely disturbing videos to Twitter and Facebook that appeared to show him hovering near the two journalists and brandishing a weapon before opening fire. Becca Stanek
The Week
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