A Virginia TV station was in the middle of filming a mundane story about local tourism Wednesday morning when the lone gunman opened fire.
Vicki Gardner, 61, was shot in the back while discussing the upcoming 50th anniversary of Smith Mountain Lake, where she’s served as the executive director of its chamber of commerce for 13 years.
“They were just out doing their job today, covering a story,” WDBJ7’s general manager Jeffrey Marks said.
The interview was one of many Gardner had set up in the upcoming weeks about next year’s celebration of Smith Mountain Lake, a sprawling recreational area that boasts 500 miles of shoreline and a variety of recreational activities.
Gardner, who was shot in the back, was rushed to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery.
“She has suffered some internal damage, but she’s stabilized right now and it looks good,” Jessica Gauldin, vice chairman of the chamber of commerce, told The Washington Post.
Both the TV reporter and cameraman filming the segment, Alison Parker and Adam Ward, were pronounced dead following eight rounds of gunfire from a disgruntled former employee at WDBJ7.
Vester Lee Flanagan, who went by Bryce Williams during his two years at the station, later shot himself on the side of Interstate 66 after police cornered him. He died at a nearby hospital.