'We're going to get through this together': WDBJ stands together the day after the tragic live-shooting of reporter and cameraman

Moment of silence for shooting victims

WDBJ-TV station grieves the loss of Alison Parker and Adam Ward the morning after their on-air murders.
 

Los Angeles, California (Catholic Online) - Thursday morning was emotional, as WDBJ-TV anchor Kim McBroom joined hands with anchor Steve Grand, who came in from sister stations KYTV in Springfield, MO, and weatherman Leo Hirsbrunner for a moment of silence for their fallen comrades.

Thursday morning's report included emotional moments such as McBroom's comment, "Joining hands here on the desk. It's the only way to do it," after the station-wide moment of silence.

During the weather forecast, there was an obvious tremble in Hirsbrunner's voice when he recalled how Ward inquired about the weather every morning before departing on assignments.

"I don't even know how to do weather on a day like this," he says, to which McBroom replied, "Good job, partner. We're going to get through this together."

Vicki Gardner's husband Tim appeared on Thursday's show to announce his wife's improving condition. He showed his appreciation for the support shown him by friends and the community, saying, "It's hard to explain, but... everyone's been right there for us."

Ward's fiance Melissa is WDBJ's station producer and watched the shooting unfold from the control room Wednesday morning. Ward was described as a happy-go-lucky guy.

Chris Hurst, an anchor at WDBJ, had been dating Parker, calling her "the most radiant woman I ever met."

Despite the obvious grief, WDBJ staff pushed through their pain to deliver updates and news Thursday morning that included a series of news pieces on the shooting.

Wednesday morning caught a live stream showing the horrific shooting of Gardner, Parker and Ward.

The gunman was discovered to be Vester Lee Flanagan II, a former WDBJ reporter known by his on-screen name Bryce Williams. When confronted by authorities hours after the shooting, Flanagan shot himself and later died from his wounds.

Before his capture, Flanagan posted a video depicting his view of the shooting on his YouTube account. He also took to Twitter, claiming Parker made racist comments and was hired despite his complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He also claimed Ward had reported him to human resources.

Dan Dennison was the WDBJ news director who hired Flanagan in 2012 and fired him only one year later due to performance issues.

"We did a thorough investigation and could find no evidence that anyone had racially discriminated against this man," Dennison stated. "You just never know when you're going to work how a potentially unhinged or unsettled person might impact your life in such a tragic way."

Flanagan called himself a gay black man who was mistreated by people of all races in a fax he sent to ABC. The fax also held information indicating Flanagan admired the Virginia Tech and Columbine gunmen.

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