Sheriff: TV news crew shooter ‘disturbed’

A sheriff in southwestern Virginia said on Wednesday described the suspected gunman in the fatal shooting of two journalists earlier that morning as “disturbed in some way.”

{mosads}Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton added that Vester Lee Flanagan II, 42, had published a manifesto detailing his rage.

“That gentleman was disturbed in some way,” Overton told reporters during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

“He sent a lengthy, multipage document to a publication in New York about this incident,” he added. “It certainly goes to show where the gentleman’s mind was the night before.”

Flanagan is suspected of killing WDBJ reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, during a live television broadcast from Moneta, Va.

Police confirmed Flanagan died later that afternoon following a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Overton said on Wednesday that he is personally shaken by the tragedy, given he had often worked with Parker and Ward on local news stories.

“It was extremely difficult this morning,” he said. “It is very emotional. It really stopped me in my tracks this morning. I couldn’t really understand what was happening myself.”

Flanagan was reportedly a WDBJ employee before the TV station fired him over behavioral issues.

WDBJ General Manager Jeff Marks said on Wednesday that Flanagan claimed he was the victim of racism, but such complaints could not be corroborated.

“Eventually after many incidents of his anger coming to the fore, we dismissed him,” Marks said. “He did not take that well. We had to call police to escort him from the building. He then filed an action with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”

Overton refused comment on  whether Flanagan’s alleged attack had racial motivations.

“We are looking at all those dimensions,” he said. “I have no comment on that at this time.”

Ward’s camera briefly captured the shooter’s approach on Wednesday.

Footage was posted on Twitter later that morning from the gunman’s perspective along with a series of messages that mentioned the victims.

The video footage shows an unseen individual walking toward Parker and Ward while they interview Vicki Gardner, the director of the local chamber of commerce.

The individual then pulls out a handgun, aiming the weapon at Parker while she is speaking with Gardner.

The gunman then opens fire as Parker seemingly flees and multiple screams are heard in the background.

Overton said on Wednesday that Gardner is in stable condition following surgery for a gunshot wound.

Both Facebook and Twitter have since suspended accounts reportedly linked to Flanagan amid concerns over their graphic content.

Updated at 3:02 p.m.