Virginia shooting: WDBJ7 news reporter Alison Parker's partner shares emotional tribute to 'the most radiant woman I ever met'

Emotional: Chris Hurst paid tribute to his girlfriend
Chris Hurst/Facebook
Hannah Al-Othman26 August 2015

The partner of murdered journlist Alison Parker shared an emotional tribute to his girlfriend, who was killed today when a gunman opened fire as she presented a live television broadcast.

Alison Parker, 24, was interviewing a woman for a segment about tourism when the sound of eight gunshots was heard, and Ms Parker and the guest, named locally as Vicki Gardener, were seen screaming on film before the television camera appeared to end up on the ground.

Chris Hurst, who also worked for WDBJ7 as a news anchor, paid tribute to his girlfriend on Twitter and Facebook.

Tragic: Alison Parker was killed by a gunman this morning
Chris Hurst/Facebook

He also revealed that 27-year-old photographer Adam Ward, who was also shot by the gunman in Virginia this morning, was due to be married to a producer from the television channel.

Mr Hurst's emotional message said: "We didn't share this publicly, but Alison Parker and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb.

"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. 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."

In love: the couple had been together for nine months
Chris Hurst/Facebook

He continued: "I am comforted by everyone at WDBJ7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team.

"I am heartbroken for his fiancee. She is our morning show producer. This is unconscionable.

Together: the couple both worked at WDBJ7
Chris Hurst/Facebook

"But I WILL share her story because it is one full of life, dreams, love and amazing journalism. She just finished working on an incredible special on child abuse and it was fantastic.

"We will get through this and there will be justice. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me."

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