2:28
- ABC News
- August 26, 2015
Suspect in On-Air Shooting Dies From Self-Inflicted Wound
The two victims were reporting on a tourism story at the time.
2:28
The shooting itself took place at Bridgewater Plaza, a recreational facility with shops, restaurants, a mini golf course and boat rentals, where Parker and Ward were reporting on the 50th anniversary of Smith Mountain Lake.
Marks, the station president, went on the air this morning confirming the two deaths and noting that both victims were in relationships with other staffers at the station. Chris Hurst, who was dating Parker, posted tributes on his Twitter feed:
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
Marks said it was his \"very very sad duty\" to report their deaths, and noted that the shooting is under investigation. \"We have other members of the team with us today holding back tears, frankly,\" Marks said.
He said Parker was a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, while Ward was a graduate of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Marks and the anchors confirmed on air that Ward's fiancee was a morning producer at the station who was celebrating her last day at work today before starting a new job. Parker reportedly brought in balloons as part of the celebration before going out for the fatal live report.
Jay Webb, the news director at ABC affiliate station WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg (about two hours away) who had previously worked at WDBJ for several years, said he knew both victims. \"Unthinkable,\" he told ABC News this morning, adding that he was especially close to Ward. \"It’s a very hard time in our newsroom here this morning, as it is, I’m sure, across newsrooms across the country this morning.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/HT_Alison_Adam3_ml_150826_4x3t_384.jpg\")
He said he also knew Parker because she recently interned at his station before getting the job at WDBJ, which is owned by Schurz Communications of South Bend, Indiana.
\"Alison was vibrant,\" he said. \"Both extremely good people, will be missed.\"
Get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To start, just \"star\" this story in ABC News' phone app. Download ABC News for iPhone here or ABC News for Android here. To be notified about our live weekend digital reports, tap here.
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