We often discuss the “perils of the press” in humorous stories of the unexpected for journalists. However, we are often reminded of the dangers faced by reporters in their daily jobs. Today offered one such tragic example from Moneta, Virginia. Vester Lee Flanagan, who used the name on-air of Bryce Williams, shot and killed WDBJ reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27. He then posted the filmed event and tweeted about it. It is a bizarre and chilling example of how social media has become intertwined with such crimes in our society. Flanagan later shot himself in a confrontation with police.
Flanagan (shown left) said that Parker made “racist comments” and that he had filed a complaint was filed against her through the equal employment opportunity commission. Ward had worked with Flanagan and he said that Ward had complained about having to work with him. He then shared his attack on Twitter. Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, died at the scene while the woman being interviewed was rushed to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery.
Ward was engaged to Melissa Ott, a news producer who was working on the show and watched from the control room as the shooting happened. This was her last day on the job because she was about to start a new job in Charlotte, North Carolina and Ward planned to move with her. The office-mates had just thrown a party that morning for her.
These cases often raise civil liability for the employer. While the criminal case is apparently closed given the statements and film of the deceased, families can sometimes sue over the failure of an employer to warn them or take some action. In this case, it appears that Flanagan is no longer working for the station so that insulates the studio to some extent. There can be questions however is anyone had reason to know of a violent predisposition or targeting of these victims. There is no indication of such forewarning or prior indications of violence at this time. This type of delayed and unhinged response is very difficult for anyone to foresee and an employer cannot monitor former employees for years.
I can only imagine the grief of these families and survivors when faced with such a senseless act. The chilling combination of social media deepens the unfathomable aspects of this double murder.
The video is graphic and available here
Henry is quite sharp, glad to have him here.
This could have been a good thread. Maybe we should have a Civics test required prior to pontificating about the US Constitution. I know a certain Canadian who would fail miserably. The more he comments, the more he shows his ignorance of this great country. Then there are the usual suspects just creating turmoil because that’s all they got. NEVER anything positive, just creating strife.
The ‘dirty underwear’ clearly illustrates the cleverness of the gun nuts.
As ever, this is a time waster.
Brilliant, p&p! How clever of you to include two world wars. I bet you went beyond the sixth grade in order to think of that one!
HenryH
How about we look at a 100 year average of gun violence between America and Europe. 1915-2015.
Henry, LOL, I almost spit out my coffee at that last one from the Pin man.
Pin, it is not I who is paranoid about my personal safety. It’s all you gun worshippers.
Annie are you ok?
Are you ok?
Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Paranoia? Paranoia?
You’re packing heat and checking for exits and Annie is paranoid?
HenryH
Wild Bill Hickok may have played poker in the middle of a room a thousand times but the only time we know for sure about he got murdered.
You imply I’m paranoid because I take note of exits.
Are you by chance familiar with the band Great White?
Are you a fan of pyrotechnics?
Were you a fan of Dimebag Darrel?
Have you ever stood in line for a Who concert?
Did you see the Rolling Stones at Altamont?
Have you ever been at Wal Mart on Black Friday?
There’s not much difference between you and a fool.
Send Henry out to do this
Send Henry out to do that
Have Henry make some Mickey
Mouse argument
He’s smaht!!!
Not like everybody says!!!
And Allison should have noted all her escape routes and been a little faster on her feet.
Henry and beyond tra la la, those six year olds should’ve been more aware of their surroundings, how dare they have an expectation of safety in the 1st grade classroom? They should have anticipated a crazed gunman shooting his way into the school.
Tra la la.
Twelve? Twelve?
Why do you want to leave all those six year olds unprotected?
Henry, yep. All those silly unarmed people. There ought to be a law that everyone over the age of twelve should be packing heat. As for those 20 1st graders, as the Dust Queen says, “tra la la”, too bad so sad.
Silly TV people. Just standing there talking to someone. Shulda had their gun out and ready.
HenryH
“Dyin’ aint no way to make a livin’.”- Josey Wales.
Hmmm.
Does Europe expect us to protect them just like we did the Middle East?
There was no reasonable expectation they would be ambushed two years later, NONE
Tra la la
It seems like the only people described as “disgruntled” are ex-employees.
Muslims twisting a peaceful religion, teens and youths-not so much.
Henry, I was responding to Pin, just so you don’t think my comment was directed at you.
Annie
Henry is proud to be agressively unaware of any comments you make that might jump out of the internet and assault his dulled senses. Comments that were meant for me.
These two people were doing their jobs. There was no reasonable expectation they would be ambushed two years later, NONE.
Besides,
if we are all just a little more observant, everything will be fine.
Henry
I suppose you never wear clean underwear in case you get in a car wreck?
That doesn’t even enter your mind when you change lanes without looking in your mirrors because being aware is for losers.