The Virginia TV Shooting: Listeners React
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On Wednesday, as television viewers in Roanoke, Virginia tuned into the WDBJ7 local morning news, they didn't just learn about the day's happenings. Rather, they became witnesses to the live shooting of three people.
As reporter Alison Parker interviewed Vicki Gardner of the local Chamber of Commerce, and cameraman Adam Ward caught it all on film, shots rang out.
Parker and Ward died almost immediately. Gardner underwent emergency surgery after the shooting, and is in stable condition.
The shooting suspect, Vester Lee Flanagn, was a former colleague who went by the on-air name of Bryce Williams. Flanagan shot himself while being pursued by police and died later in a hospital.
Meanwhile, families, viewers, and the nation were in shock by the news—and by the circulation of the live broadcast that went viral yesterday.
Among those to speak out was White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest:
"As you've heard me say in the past, this is another example of gun violence that is becoming all too common in communities large and small across the U.S. While there is no piece of legislation that can end violence, there are some common sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact of reducing gun violence. And Congress could take those steps without infringing on the Constitutional rights of law-abiding americans.”
Takeaway listeners are also sharing their thoughts and stories.
For some, this hit close to home...
From Raleigh, North Carolina: My girlfriend knew Adam in high school. He was moving to Charlotte soon. I feel numb and this hits too close to home. She has said that despite the fact that everyone says it, he was really always positive and one of the happiest people in the world.
For many of you, this is yet another reason why you believe we need better gun control...
From Hackensack, New Jersey: I have always been an advocate for stricter gun control with background checks. We should not be bullied into lack of gun control law by NRA for their own financial greed. Our national safety is at stake.
From Mascoutah, Illinois: I drive a truck, and we're sharing news about [the shooting] as we learn more information. We are all military background men, all are NRA card members. Thorough background checks seem to be the resounding theme. I waited 4 days before I bought my last gun and I would be willing to wait for 60 more days if it meant a thorough in depth background check.
From Dallas, Texas: How can we watch incident after incident like this occur in our country, then compare statistics for gun violence in most of Europe and Canada and still say we don't need gun control?
Others are concerned about mental illness...
From Reading, Pennsylvania: Mental illness is largely being ignored and guns have become America's tool of the dissatisfied. The legislators of this country need to have a serious discussion about mental illness, treatment, and access to guns. The two cannot be separated.
Some of you admit that none of this is shocking to you...
From Wilmott, Illinois: These should be described as expected occurrences rather than tragedies until or unless we are willing to get serious about gun control.
Many of you are feeling hopeless...
From St. Louis, Missouri: Sadly, if Sandy Hook didn't convince the public to demand stronger gun laws, nothing will...
From Salem, Massachusetts: If useless politicians did nothing on gun control after little kids in Newtown and churchgoers in Charleston were murdered, they are never going to do anything. Just another day in America.
And at least one of you has a more philosophical response to this shooting...and all the other shootings that continue to plague our nation.
From Campbell, California: In response to the tragedy in Virginia, how can we even prepare for these kinds of events? In reality we can't. We can only go on the trust that we will be fine, do what we love to do, and live our lives, and too many times mourn the loss of individuals taken too soon and always too tragically. Really, that's all we can do, otherwise we'll just be fraught with fear and not be able to do anything.
How are you feeling about this latest shooting? What do you think needs to change? Share your thoughts by calling 1-877-869-8253, comment below or on our Facebook page, or tweet us here.
