On August 26, 2015 around 6:30 a.m., tragedy struck the journalism world and was unfortunately broadcasted live for the entire world to see. Alison Parker, a reporter for WDBJ, and Adam Ward, her cameraman, fell victim this morning to a tragic shooting event in Roanoke, Virginia.

I woke up that morning like any other day, ate breakfast, checked social media, and read the newspaper. As I was trying to memorize the news headlines for my reporting quiz, I heard the sound of gunshots coming from my sorority sister's phone. I put down my newspaper and saw the blank expression on her face.

"3 people were just shot in a live news broadcast."

I swallowed my cereal and paused in disbelief. She handed me her phone as the video of the broadcast played again. I watched the youthful news reporter start her broadcast and then heard the shrill screams of sheer terror as the camera hit the ground and 8 gunshots rung out. I felt a lump in my throat start to form and tears start to well up in my eyes.

"Why would someone do this? Have they caught the shooter? Did anyone survive?"

Millions of questions began to fill my head. I was confused, hurt, concerned, and scared. More information began to come out and the more I learned, the sicker I felt. One of their ex-coworkers who was angry about the past, decided it was his day for revenge. The interviewee survived but the two others lost their lives. The police eventually caught the gunman after he shot himself and crashed his car trying to drive away. The gunman later died in the hospital due to his self-inflicted wound.

This incident hit home for me as being a live broadcast reporter is my ultimate career goal. Alison probably woke up this morning thinking today was going to be a normal day out in the field. She probably practiced her interview questions in the mirror while she did her hair and make up. She probably drove to the station and waited for her cameraman, Adam, to get all the equipment from the studio. They probably got to the location, set up, practiced the interview a couple times, and then went live. They had no idea that would be the last time they would wake up and get ready for work.

That could happen to me. That could happen to the people in my reporting class. That could have been any reporter and cameraman in the industry. They were young and fresh in the business. They probably had goals to work for a major news network one day. Now, we’ll never know. These two young professionals’ lives were cut short in a way no one could have seen coming. This shooting has shaken the journalism world and given aspiring reporters a reason to be afraid to pursue the career.

However, even though this is scary and unfortunate, I still believe broadcast journalists are some of the most courageous people. We willingly put ourselves in front of a camera for numerous people to watch, critique, and disagree with. We are our own biggest cheerleaders. We push ourselves to never give up and be brave. I’m sure Alison and Adam wouldn’t want this to keep anyone away from his or her dreams. So don’t let this hold you back or scare you, but rather remember the courage Alison and Adam had and let that drive you to be brave, never give up, and live everyday like it is your last.

Rest in Peace Alison Parker and Adam Ward.