UPDATE 2:00 p.m.:
Following conflicting reports, Flanagan has now been confirmed as deceased by local authorities. After shooting himself, Flanagan was originally believed to be dead before a pulse was discovered. Flanagan's confirmed death comes on the heels of an announcement regarding Vicki Gardner, who has now successfully exited emergency surgery and is in stable condition.
UPDATE 11:57 a.m.:
WDBJ is now reporting that the suspect, Vester Flanagan, is not dead. State police contacted the station to clarify that he is currently in "critical condition," but not deceased. Shortly after this clarification, Virginia State Police issued the following statement:
See original story below.
Early Wednesday morning, two WDBJ employees were shot to death during a live broadcast in Virginia. Though specifics are still relatively unknown, local police were vigorously searching for the suspect before he reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to WDBJ, he shot himself after being confronted by law enforcement officials on I-66 in Fauquier County:
According to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, he was believed to be a disgruntled former employee of the station. Local authorities confirmed the suspect's identity as Vester Lee Flanagan. Flanagan, a former on-air personality for the station, used the TV alias "Bryce Williams." His Facebook and Twitter pages (which have now been shut down) were quickly discovered by local authorities, featuring disturbing commentary from Williams on the shooting he claims was inspired by racial comments supposedly made at work. Flanagan also uploaded self-filmed video of the shooting, showing his approach of the WDBJ team before raising his weapon, mumbling something under his breath, and firing:
Shortly after the harrowing on-air shooting, WDBJ confirmed the deaths of 24-year-old reporter Alison Parker and 27-year-old photographer Adam Ward, pictured above. According to WDBJ General Manager Jeff Marks, the suspect fired six or seven shots, fatally wounding Parker and Ward and injuring the on-air interview subject Vicki Gardner. Gardner was reportedly shot in the back and is currently in emergency surgery, according to CNN. Tragically, Ward's fiancé was in the station's control room during the broadcast and watched the shooting happen live.
Shortly after the tragic shooting, fellow WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst shared a heartfelt message on his love for Alison Parker. The two had recently moved in together and had plans for marriage:
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT
