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via YouTube
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Seconds before the shooting.
The alleged gunman who shot and killed two members of a TV news crew in Roanoke, Virginia, this morning has ties to San Francisco.
Vester Flanagan, who works under the name Bryce Williams, is suspected of killing 24-year-old Alison Parker, a morning reporter for WDBJ7, and Adam Ward, 27, a cameraman for the same station, during a live broadcast.
KPIX reports that Flanagan worked as an intern, production assistant, and writer there from 1993-1995. He also graduated from San Francisco State University’s broadcasting program.
According to
Newsweek, Flanagan posted a POV video of the shooting to Facebook, and also tweeted about the incident (his account has since been suspended).
Jeff Marks, general manager of the news station in Roanoke, described Flanagan as “difficult to work with,” adding, “"He was sort of looking out for people to say something he could take offense to.” Marks told
CNN that WDBJ7 had separated from Flanagan two years ago.
Flanagan filed a lawsuit against WTWC-TV in North Florida in 2000, alleging that a producer there had called him a “monkey.” The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed sum,
Newsweek reports.
Flanagan reportedly shot himself on Interstate 66 five hours after the shooting this morning. His condition is critical.
Update: Flanagan died at 1:26 p.m. EST.
