Journalists tweet in solidarity after deadly on-air attack
Social media played a critical role in Wednesday's shooting of a CBS Roanoke affiliate WDBJ-TV reporter and cameraman on live television in Virginia.
Alison Parker, 24, an on-air reporter, and Adam Ward, 27, a cameraman, were doing a live interview when a gunman shot them to death.
The suspected gunman, 41-year-old Vester Lee Flanagan II, a former employee of the station, recorded the attack. He then posted a video of it to social media. The social media pages were eventually taken down.
Hours later, journalists around the country turned to social media as well.
This time it was to express solidarity with the news station where the reporter and cameraman worked. They shared photos and sentiments using the hashtag #WeStandWithWDBJ.
It started with one tweet from a journalist and her cameraman. The hashtag soon began trending.
News crews: join us in saying #WeStandWithWDBJ. Proud & not afraid to be a journalist today. #TV #WDBJ @WDBJ7 @KVUE pic.twitter.com/um11SgrtBh
— Vicki Chen (@vchen24) August 26, 2015
It continued to grow. Tweets from reporters taking photos with their cameramen paying tribute began flooding in from across the country.
Reporting out with @jkfox10. proud of what we do.#WeStandWithWDBJ pic.twitter.com/FK07V1Sojs
— Jessica Flores (@FloresFOX10) August 26, 2015
Proud to be a reporter. #WeStandWithWDBJ pic.twitter.com/dW2tIA6hod
— Cecile Juliette KHSL (@CecileJuliette) August 27, 2015
Photog Mark and I proud & not afraid to be a journalist today. #westandwithwdbj pic.twitter.com/QCNuwRfRTB
— Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) August 26, 2015
Out reporting today, but with a heavy heart. Sending my prayers to the @WDBJ7 newsroom. #WeStandWithWDBJ @WFMY pic.twitter.com/fvYpnBOL6e
— Emily Spain (@Emily_Spain) August 26, 2015
Today was really hard getting through live shots! Our hearts are so heavy! #WeStandWithWDBJ @BseidersPhotog pic.twitter.com/rF5kOhv8Ka
— Shannel Douglas (@ShannelDouglas) August 26, 2015
We won't back down. We won't be afraid. Tonight, #WeStandWithWDBJ @Mbrewphoto @WDBJ7 @chrishurstwdbj @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/iHgGD3P2KI
— Katie Rufener (@KRufener_WREG3) August 26, 2015
Anchors at their desk also tweeted their support.
Heartbreaking day for journalists all across the nation ! #Tucson #WeStandWithWDBJ pic.twitter.com/E65WhZU2oI
— Stella Inger (@StellaInger) August 27, 2015
And entire news stations, including CBS Dallas-Fort Worth, chimed in as well.
Thinking of our colleagues @WDBJ7 in Roanoke. @CBSDFW #westandwithwdbj pic.twitter.com/NSNqkXjLfT
— Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug) August 26, 2015
Our thoughts & prayers are with the @WDBJ7 family & loved ones during this difficult time #WeStandWithWDBJ pic.twitter.com/aIrm00i8v6
— WBRC FOX6 News (@myfoxal) August 26, 2015
Both of the journalists killed had significant others who worked at the station. WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst, the boyfriend of Parker, took to social media to express his grief and shock. Ward was engaged to Melissa Ott, a morning show producer.
Many colleagues also took to Twitter to share their condolences.