Suspected WDBJ Shooter Bryce Williams Dead: Alison Parker's Family Speaks out

MStars News has learned that the man who allegedly shot WDBJ reporter, Alison Parker, 24 and her cameraman, Adam Ward, 27 dead has also been confirmed dead. According to CNN's news conference, Vester Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams in broadcasts when he previously worked for the station, was pronounced dead around 1:30 pm after shooting himself. Parker's family spoke out through a released statement shortly after.

Parker, a young bright reporter, grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.

Her father, Andy Parker was trying to hold onto hope that his daughter survived the shooting, but after his 24-year-old daughter didn't make her daily phone call to her parents, he knew that she had died.

"Is this real? Am I going to wake up," Parker said, according to Mediaite. "I am crying my eyes out. I don't know if there's anybody in this world or another father who could be more proud of their daughter."

While many reporters die in war zones, and covering other stories, Parkers' dad didn't understand how his daughter could be killed where it was apparently a safe place, and regular workday.

"Some journalists want to be right out there covering ISIS. She did not want that," Parker explained. "Not hearing her voice again crushes my soul."

The family statement was released on Twitter and read as follows:

"Barbara, Drew, and I are numb, devastated and I find my grief unbearable. Alison was our bright, shining light and it was cruelly extinguished by yet another crazy person with a gun. She excelled at everything she did and was loved by everyone she touched. She loved us dearly, and we talked to her every single day. Not hearing her voice again crushes my soul. Our family can only take solace in the fact that although her life was brief, she was so happy with it. She lived it to the fullest and her spirit will always be with us."

Statement from @AParkerWDBJ7's father: pic.twitter.com/D3Ttc9C1ig

— Gio Benitez (@GioBenitez) August 26, 2015

There was a third shooting victim, Vicki Gardner of the local chamber of commerce. MStars News previously reported that Gardner was listed in stable condition after undergoing emergency surgery.

Wednesday morning, MStars News reported that WDBJ reporter, Alison Parker and her cameraman, Adam Ward, were fatally shot around 6:45 a.m. during a live TV broadcast at a shopping mall in Moneta, Virginia near Roanoke, Virginia.

Ward was engaged to morning news producer, Melissa Ott. Wednesday was her last day, because she was moving on to a job in Charlotte. Ott witnessed the tragic shooting while in the control room at the news station.

Congrats to our awesome @WDBJ7Mornin producer Melissa Ott on her new job in Charlotte. We will miss you! pic.twitter.com/o2SYtDdO2V — Kimberly McBroom (@KimberlyWDBJ) August 26, 2015

Parker was dating fellow WDBJ news anchor, Chris Hurst. Hurst revealed that the couple had just moved in together after dating for 9 months.

We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN

— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015

Morning news anchor, Kimberly McBroom was shocked as she tried to keep the live broadcast going when the shooting happened.

During the segment, McBroom went off script and said: "Ok, not sure what happened there, we will of course let you know as soon as we find out what those sounds were from."

After learning that two of her fellow employees died, McBroom tweeted:

Heartbroken over the loss of two members of our @WDBJ7Mornin family...There are simply no words. — Kimberly McBroom (@KimberlyWDBJ) August 26, 2015

Please pray for my @WDBJ7 family. Overwhelmed by messages of love during this tragedy. @AParkerWDBJ7 and @dowork88 will never be forgotten.

— Kimberly McBroom (@KimberlyWDBJ) August 26, 2015

The live broadcast revealed Flanagan approaching Ward from behind and shooting him, Parker and Gardner. Parker was heard screaming as she tried to run for her life. Flanagan was dressed in all black during the shooting.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.