Reporter, photographer killed by shooter on-air during live news interview


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MONETA, Va. – A reporter and photographer from a local news station in Roanoke were shot and killed during a live news interview on Wednesday morning.

A screenshot of the suspect (WDBJ)



The shooting occurred at Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia.

Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, died as a result of the shooting, WDBJ confirmed on Wednesday.

During a live interview at Bridgewater Plaza around 6:45 a.m., approximately eight gunshots are heard Parker is seen interviewing someone on-screen. The camera then drops to the ground and the broadcast cuts back to the anchor desk.

The video captures an image of the what’s believed to be the suspected shooter before it cuts away. WDBJ tweeted out that they are trying to figure out what happened and that law enforcement is on scene.


Authorities from Bedford County, Franklin County and Virginia State Police have responded. Law enforcement continues searching for the gunman. Nearby schools are on lockdown.

Authorities have a name and license plate number for a person believed to be the shooter, according to a law enforcement official. Initial reports wondered if the suspect may have been a disgruntled former employee.



Adam graduated from Salem High School and Virginia Tech. Alison grew up in Martinsville and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.



WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst tweeted that he and Parker were “very much in love” and had just moved in together.





A spokesman for the Virginia TV station that saw two of its employees fatally shot on air describes the slain cameraman as WDBJ-TV's "go-to guy."

Other news reporters from around the country tweeted their shock and dismay at the shooting.







As a precaution, and highlighting the fear about gun violence, New York City is stepping up security at its local television stations. The TODAY Show plaza cleared earlier than normal in NYC, officials said.

This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.