Vester Flanagan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Fairfax hospital around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. He is a former WDBJ7 employee.
Officials believe he shot and killed WDBJ7`s Adam Ward and Alison Parker during a live broadcast Wednesday.
Flanagan`s personal car was found at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. Flanagan rented a separate car.
Around 11:30 a.m., law enforcement tried to stop Flanagan on Interstate 66 in Fauquier County but he refused to stop. Shortly after, he shot himself.
Flanagan sent a lengthy fax about the attack to a New York media organization.
Deputies believe Flanagan opened fire on WDBJ7 photographer Adam Ward and WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker around 6:45 a.m. during a live broadcast at Bridgewater Plaza, which is on Smith Mountain Lake.
Vicki Gardner of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce was also injured in the shooting. She had surgery and is recovering.
Adam was 27-years-old. Alison just turned 24.
Both Adam and Alison were from the WDBJ7 viewing area.
Adam graduated from Salem High School and Virginia Tech.
Alison grew up in Martinsville and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.
Flanagan worked at WDBJ7 for less than a year. He started at WDBJ7 on March 29, 2012. His employment was terminated on February 1, 2013.
His family released the following statement:
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we express our deepest condolences to the families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. We are also praying for the recovery of Vicki Gardner. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with the victims` families and the WBDJ7 NEWS family. Words cannot express the hurt that we feel for the victims. Our family is asking that the media respect our privacy.”
Two WDBJ7 employees shot and killed; suspected shooter kills himself - VIDEO
27 August 2015
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The suspect accused of killing two WDBJ7 employees died at a hospital in Northern Virginia, according to Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton.
