Virginia shooter blames ‘racism and homophobia’ for TV killings
By Will Stroude
The man who shot and killed two journalists during a live television broadcast in the US state of Virginia yesterday (August 27) blamed his actions on the racism and homophobia he suffered as a “gay, black man” before taking his own life.
24-year-old WBDJ7 reporter Alison Parker was killed along with her cameraman, 27-year-old Adam Ward, during yesterday’s horrific attack in Virginia, which came during a live breakfast show interview.
The perpetrator, Vester Lee Flanagan – known professionally as Bryce Williams – was a former WDBJ7 reporter who had previously been dismissed from the channel in 2013 following aggressive and concerning behaviour, the station confirmed yesterday.
After being pursued by police following the attack, Flanagan shot himself and later died in hospital, the BBC reports.
In a “rambling” 23-page suicide note faxed to ABC News before his death, Flanagan describes how he suffered discrimination and bullying because of his race and sexual orientation, and says the the murders came in retaliation to the racially-motivated shooting in Charleston earlier this year which left nine African-American people dead.
According to the ABC report, the note says he “has suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work,” adding that he “talks about how he was attacked for being a gay, black man”, by “black men and white females”.
As well as expressing admiration for those responsible for notorious US shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech, Flanagan described himself as a “powder keg”, writing: “Yes, it will sound like I am angry… I am. And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is peace…”
He went on: “The [Charleston] church shooting was the tipping point… but my anger has been building steadily… I’ve been a human powder keg for a while… just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”
Tributes have been paid to the two victims of yesterday’s tragedy. In a statement, Alison Parker’s family said: “Today we received news that no family should ever hear. Our vivacious, ambitious, smart, engaging, hilarious, beautiful, and immensely talented Alison (was) taken from the world.
“This is senseless and our family is crushed.”
Adam Ward’s fiancée, who also worked as a producer for the channel and was watching live from the station’s control room as the harrowing events unfolded, paid tribute to her future husband on Facebook, writing: “You were the one. You understood me. My soulmate. I will always love you. Please watch over me and keep me strong. Enjoy the endless tech games in your heaven.
“I love you so much.”