Shooter who murdered journalists on camera had planned an escape

Vester Flanagan (also known as Bryce Williams, the name he used as a television news anchor) appeared to have planned to make an escape after murdering Virginia's WDBJ7 journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward, The Washington Post reports. New details revealed that Flanagan had a wig, a briefcase with three license plates, a shawl, an umbrella, and sunglasses in his car.

The car itself was also an indication that Flanagan hoped to get away with murder. It was a rental he had checked out weeks ahead of time, indicating the killing of Parker and Ward was premeditated.

Flanagan was likely tracked down by the police due to a text message he sent to a friend, in which he mentioned "having done something stupid"; the signal from his number could have aided police in finding his location and chasing him down the highway, CNN reports. While police were in pursuit, Flanagan pulled off the road and shot himself, then died after being taken to the hospital.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

A Glock pistol, ammunition, 17 stamped envelopes, and a "to do" list were also found in Flanagan's car.