It’s never easy to write an article about a tragedy, let alone read about it. A simple question always seems to come to mind whenever a senseless, violent act such as this one occurs: Why?
Why do people turn to violence? Why do people think taking innocent lives is a sensible act? Why are these horrible crimes still happening?
All of these questions came flooding back August 26, when two journalists from Virginia TV station WDBJ were shot and killed while broadcasting live. The two journalists, reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, were filming an early morning interview with economic development official Vicki Gardner at the Bridgewater Plaza in Roanoke, VA. In the disturbing video, Parker is seen interviewing Gardner when suddenly, the sound of multiple gunshots fill the screen unexpectedly. Parker appears to run away from the gunshots, while Ward’s camera falls to the ground. Both Parker and Ward were pronounced dead at the scene, while Gardner was sent to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing details of this story was that the shooter was a former journalist himself. Vester Lee Flanagan II, also known as Bryce Williams underneath his television name, even posted a violent video of himself committing the murders on both his Twitter and Facebook accounts. Five hours later, Flanagan shot himself and was reported dead.
A former employee of WDBJ, Flanagan was described as a “disgruntled” employee. He worked at the station for less than a year until he was fired in 2013. After the shooting, Flanagan took to Twitter, saying, “Alison made racist comments.” Soon after, he took to Twitter again, this time referring to Ward, saying, “Adam went to hr on me after working with me one time!!!” Flanagan had sued WDBJ for discrimination, but the charges were later dropped. He had also sued other stations he previously worked for underneath the same accusations.
Flanagan had stated in his suicide note that the Charleston shooting, which took place June 17, had been the “tipping point.” He continued, stating, “I’ve been a human power keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”
On Wednesday morning, the same questions about gun control were raised once again. Why are these tragic, horrific events still happening? What is the final straw? Or is there one?
What does it take?
Does it take another school? Does it take another church? Does it take another college campus? Does it take another movie theater?
Gun laws need to be addressed immediately. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now. This needs to become a priority, not just another chore to add on the government’s never-ending To-Do list. America needs to make this a priority not just for lawmakers, not just for presidential candidates, but also for themselves. Taking action doesn’t take just one person. It takes a movement.
It’s now or never.
