Two journalists were shot and killed during a live segment at a shopping center in Virginia Wednesday morning.
WDBJ reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, were shot during a segment at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia. Footage of the incident has been disseminated widely online and shows the moment the gunman attacked.
According to CNN, Vicki Gardner, who was being interviewed by Parker at the time of the shooting, was shot in the back and is in surgery.
Following the shooting, WDBJ reported on Parker and Ward’s deaths.
WDBJ general manager came on the air and said "It's my very very sad duty to report… that Alison and Adam died this morning."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 26, 2015
We love you, Alison and Adam. pic.twitter.com/hLSzQi06XE
— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
Chris Hurst, a fellow journalist at WDBJ and graduate of Emerson College, was in a nine-month relationship with Parker. The two hadn’t announced the relationship publicly.
We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.We just celebrated her 24th birthday
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother.
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
I am comforted by everyone at @WDBJ7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee.
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
“This is unconscionable,” Hurst said in a Facebook post. “But I WILL share her story because it is one full of life, dreams, love and amazing journalism. She just finished working on an incredible special on child abuse and it was fantastic. We will get through this and there will be justice. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me.”
Adam Ward was engaged to be married to Melissa Ott, a morning producer for WDBJ.
WDBJ photographer Adam Ward's fiancé Melissa Ott was in the control room — she saw the shooting happen live.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 26, 2015
The gunman is still at large, and a manhunt is underway.