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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Journalist

Alison Parker

Alison Bailey Parker was an American television journalist for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Alison Parker was an American television journalist killed during a live broadcast in 2015. Her death alongside cameraman Adam Ward drew widespread attention to workplace violence in journalism.

What it is

Alison Parker was a reporter for WDBJ, the CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, covering local news. On August 26, 2015, she was shot and killed while conducting a live interview near Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia. The attack also killed cameraman Adam Ward.

Why it matters

The on-air murder shocked the public and highlighted the risks journalists face, even in routine assignments. It prompted discussions about workplace safety, mental health screening, and the impact of live broadcasting on violent incidents.

Key details

The gunman was identified as Vester Lee Flanagan II, a former WDBJ reporter. He fled the scene and later died after shooting himself during a police chase. Parker grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, and studied at Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.

In short

  • Alison Parker was a 24-year-old reporter killed during a live broadcast.
  • The attack was carried out by a former colleague, Vester Lee Flanagan II.
  • The incident sparked national debate on journalist safety and live TV protocols.
  • Flanagan died by suicide hours after the shooting.

Quick questions

Who was Alison Parker?
Alison Parker was an American television reporter for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, known for her local news reporting and for being killed during a live broadcast in 2015.
How did Alison Parker die?
She died from gunshot wounds after being shot during a live television interview near Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia.
Who killed Alison Parker?
Police identified Vester Lee Flanagan II, a former WDBJ reporter, as the gunman.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Alison_Parker_and_Adam_Ward
    Supports: Date, location, identity of the shooter, and Parker's background.
  2. Committee to Protect Journalists — https://cpj.org/data/people/alison-parker/
    Supports: Parker's role at WDBJ, the circumstances of the shooting, and Flanagan's death.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34062118
    Supports: Parker's death during a live report, her age, and her upbringing in Martinsville.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34067647
    Supports: Profile details including her growth up in Martinsville and her work at WDBJ.
  5. PBS NewsHour — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/slain-journalists-father-vows-work-stricter-gun-control
    Supports: Flanagan as the former co-worker and his suicide after fleeing.