Alison Parker and Adam Ward: Tributes paid to WDBJ7 team shot dead during live broadcast

Killed: Alison Parker and Adam Ward
AP
Rachel Blundy27 August 2015

Tributes have been paid to a US television reporter and cameraman who were shot dead during a live broadcast today.

The world reacted with shock to the news that WDBJ-TV's Alison Parker and Adam Ward had been killed on Bridgewater Plaza in Franklin County, Virginia.

The gunman remained at large this afternoon but police had reportedly obtained a picture of their suspect from the television footage, as well as his car's licence plate number.

Early reports suggested he could be a "disgruntled former employee" of the station but this could not immediately be confirmed.

Speaking on air, Jeffrey A Marks, the television station's general manager, said he and his colleagues were "heartbroken" over the shocking incident.

He said: "I cannot tell you how much they were loved. Alison and Adam."

WBDJ

Paying tribute to Mr Ward, he said: "He was the kind of guy, if he was on his way home from work and heard about something breaking, he would turn around and go do it."

And praising Ms Parker, he said: "Alison was everything. She brightened up every room and no matter what was going on she was a positive person."

As news of the tragedy spread today, notable politicial figures and journalists spoke of their shock.

Mark Warner, a US senator from Virginia, tweeted: "Just heart-wrenching. Thoughts are with loved ones and friends of Alison and Adam, first responders & @WDBJ7 family."

Tim Kaine, also a senator from Virginia, posted: "Heartbroken by senseless tragedy in Moneta this morning. Deepest sympathies to loved ones of Alison and Adam and the entire @WDBJ7 family."

David Clinch, global news editor at Storyful, said: "Thoughts and prayers with all at @WDBJ7 and the families and friends of Allison Parker and Adam Ward."

Justin Madden, a journalist for the Lexington-Herald Leader in Kentucky, said: "Totally unreal. My heart is broken for those at @WDBJ7 and the relatives of Parker and Ward. Prayers to you all."

Meanwhile Ms Parker's boyfriend Chris Hurst described feeling "numb" after being told of the awful news.

He said: "We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb".

Mr Ward was engaged to a producer at the station, Melissa Ott, who is yet to speak publicly about her loss.

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