BREAKING NEWS: This story is still developing, updates to follow. __________________________________
A reporter and cameraman have been shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Virginia.
Multiple reports state that a shooter was sighted at the Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, while a video from the scene appears to show a media crew from WDBJ being attacked while broadcasting a live report.
The station has since confirmed that the shooting involved members of its crew.
According to ABC, reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed during a live news segment.
WDBJ General Manager Jeffrey A.Marks spoke during live coverage of the attack, and said: “I can’t tell you one thing. Alison was everything. She was just such a positive person.”
The incident is said to have occurred at 6.45 am local time.
Current reports from the vicinity say that the shooter is still at large, with The Franklin County sheriff confirming that the suspect, who is believed to be male, is not in custody at this time.
Unconfirmed reports suggest a third person may have been injured or killed. Their identity has not yet been made public.
Schools in the surrounding area have been placed on lock down.
We love you, Alison and Adam. pic.twitter.com/hLSzQi06XE
— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
It is with extreme sadness that we report WDBJ7’s Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed in an attack this morning. http://t.co/oC9s4vLJXV — WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
We are trying to figure out what just happened — thank you all for your concern and kind words. — WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
** Update **
Police have said that the suspect, 41-year-old Vester Flanagan, fatally shot himself several hours after fleeing the scene as police pursued him on a Virginia highway.
Social media posts uploaded in the intervening hours by a man identifying as Bryce Williams (Flanigan’s on-air name) depicted views of the attack from the killer’s vantage point.
The posts were soon removed and the accounts suspended.
