I have been watching TV in my office in silent mode and I only looked away momentarily when CNN served Breaking News on one of the monitors: “TV reporter and photographer shot on air”. I froze, I gasped, my hands on my head, then I froze again. It is unimaginable that the level of violence has reached such an unbelievable proportion.
Two on-air TV personalities reporting live are brought to such a violent end. I am still reeling from the shock of this mindless crime that I am unable to fathom. In addition to the horrific act, the apparent killer posts the shooting videos on social media.
The international media is awash with the dastardly story and a carpet-to-carpet coverage is going on and will continue for days to come.
I am numb from the news and amazed at how easy it is for someone to just walk up to journalists on duty during a live TV show and just blow them away. Murder as reality TV.
Investigations have revealed that the gunman not only killed the journalists but also eventually shot himself.
The TV is still whirring in my office with graphics and pictures showing the gunman’s car, his name, his aliases and his character.
The gunman, Vester Lee Flanagan, was a former employee of a TV station WDBJ; an anchor and a reporter. Described as difficult to work with by his colleagues, he had reported discrimination and sued the station. The case was dismissed by a judge as his claims were considered to be without merit.
While working at the station, he went by the name “Bryce Williams”. He returned to that name in his Facebook page over the past week. One of the clips showed Flanagan in a gun store, holding a weapon.
By this week, he had killed two of his former colleagues, Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, and wounded a third victim Vicki Gardner.
This latest tragedy in America boggles the mind. Many Americans including democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton have posted a call for action to stop gun violence in the wake of the shooting.
“@Hillary Clinton, August 26th 2015: Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victim’s families in Virginia – H.”
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has added his voice for a tightening of gun laws: “There are too many guns in the hands of people that shouldn’t have guns… There is too much gun violence in America.”
Flanagan (the gunman) was described by his former employers as a man who quickly gained a reputation for being difficult to work with and often quickly took offence. As his anger continued to come to the fore, they had to let him go.
Were there indeed racial comments? Is that enough to kill another person? Was he just a disturbed person or as the judge concluded, the racial issue was fabricated? America is again facing its demons, the latest and longest issue being racism.
As an on-air personality myself, I worry about what this signposts for all those who have ever made a harmless comment to a colleague or even tried to correct another. Broadcasting houses around the world are where the most costly jokes are made and where practitioners spend a lengthy amount of time away from their families.
Depression is a real problem worldwide these days and care must be taken to recognise it so you don’t make jest of someone already spiralling into depression. When I was growing up, my mum used to say, “Do not hit your domestic staff, you don’t know who is already dead and is looking for who to take the blame.”
Sick as he may have been, Flanagan posted online that both journalists had offended him in the past. Unfortunately, his revenge left three people dead, himself included.
My heart goes out to the families of all three deceased. I share in the comments of Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffin that “At times we can forget that journalists and others in the public eye may find themselves at risk. Alison and Adam were not reporting from the scene of a crime or a potentially violent location this morning when this horrible event took place.
Instead, they were at one of our region’s popular recreational areas. I am deeply grateful for the important work undertaken by journalists regardless of this risk, and appreciate the efforts of law enforcement and first responders to keep them, others, and our communities safe from harm.”
Indeed, we must always remember those who work hard to bring you the news and stories in the comfort of your home. And to employers, please look after these broadcasters emotionally, financially and otherwise, for without them, it certainly will not be such an interesting world. The job is hard, the pressure is much, the expectations are high, the pay is poor in a lot of places and it is like a bug, broadcasters are very loyal to the profession.
Peace to the dead.
Eugenia Abu
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