Virginia TV shooting: Slain reporter's dad calls for stricter gun screenings
After the deadly Virginia TV shooting, the dad of slain WDBJ reporter Alison Parker called for stricter mental health screenings for potential gun buyers.
In a recent interview, Andy Parker said he wants to find purpose in the killing of his daughter in the Virginia TV shooting by pushing for tighter rules in gun screening. WDBJ reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were allegedly shot dead by former colleague Vester Lee Flanagan II, according to ABC News.
"If anything can come of this, it's taking up the mantle to once again try to do something to close loopholes so that crazy people don't get guns," Parker told ABC News. "…I want to prevent the next Alison from happening."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
On Wednesday, Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, were in the middle of a live interview with Chamber of Commerce official Vicki Gardner in Moneta, Virginia when shots rang out. Parker and Ward were killed at around 6:45 am, but Garnder, who was hit in the back, is now in a stable condition, Slate reports.
The sound of gunshot was heard on live broadcast and the camera captured the shooter, Flanagan, who was also known as Bryce Williams on-air. The suspect later shot himself dead, authorities said.
WDBJ general manager Jeffrey Marks confirmed that Flanagan had previously worked at the station but was fired in 2013. He described Flanagan as an "unhappy man" who made work difficult for everyone by taking offense at almost anything that people would say. In March 2014, Flanagan sued WDBJ over allegations of racial and sexual discrimination, but the lawsuit was dismissed in July of the same year, The New York Times says.
Based on files obtained by ABC News, Flanagan was advised to seek medical attention. Station managers also told him that his behavior made the WDBJ employees feel threatened, the report relays.
Flanagan's motive for shooting Parker and Ward reportedly stemmed from the racism issue in the Charleston church shooting. An insider said the shooter had a personal grudge against Parker, who allegedly made racist comments, and Ward, whom he said complained to the management about him.
Meanwhile, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe expressed support for Andy Parker's plans on pushing for stricter gun screening. Chris Hurst, the boyfriend of the slain reporter Alison Parker, also chimed in and said he hopes the Virginia TV shooting will highlight mental health issues among potential gun owners.
