News August 27, 2015
WDBJ-TV Reporters Remember Alison Parker & Adam Ward One Day After Tragedy
This morning, WDBJ-TV anchors had an on-air moment of silence to pay tribute to reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward, who were shot dead by Bryce Williams a.k.a. Vester L. Flanagan on a live broadcast Wednesday morning.
Reporter Kim McBroom said on-air at 6:45 am, "Joining hands here on the desk. It's the only way to do it."
During the telecast, reporters read a statement from Alison's father, who said, "Our vivacious, ambitious, smart, engaging, hilarious, beautiful and immensely talented Alison was taken from the world. This is senseless, and our family is crushed." Her father is calling for increased gun control.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner was unable to talk about the weather without choking up. He reflected on how Adam would check in with him about the weather every morning before heading out on an assignment. "I don't even know how to do weather on a day like this."
On the same day, Alison's boyfriend, station anchor Chris Hurst, opened up about their relationship on the "Today" show. "[We'd] just moved in [together at the] beginning of August. We wanted to save up money to get a house and get a ring."
In a separate interview with "Today," the third victim's husband, Tim Gardner, choked up while reflecting on receiving a call from her after watching his wife Vicki, 62, get shot. He said, "She explained what happened and that she didn't know how she survived, but she did and that she loved me.” Vicki Gardner is listed in stable condition following surgery.
