Everytown, Moms Demand Action Statement in Response to Shooting in Virginia Today in Which Reporter and Photographer Killed Live On Air, Interviewee Injured

Colin Goddard, Everytown Staff and Virginia Tech Shooting Survivor Available for Interviews Today; Cameraman Killed Also Virginia Tech Graduate

WARNING: Graphic Footage of Incident Available Here

WASHINGTON – Colin Goddard, Virginia Tech shooting survivor and Senior Policy Advocate for Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to this morning’s shooting during a live newscast on WDBJ-TV at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia.

While details are still unfolding, it appears that a disgruntled former station employee shot and killed Alison Parker, 24, the reporter, and her cameraman, Adam Ward, 27. Parker was interviewing Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Director Vicki Gardner during the morning newscast when the shooting occurred. Gardner is currently in surgery after being shot in the back. Video of the incident, which was being carried live, can be found here. (NOTE: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE)

“First and foremost, my heart goes out to the families and friends of Adam, Alison and Vicki. They were shot this morning while at work, simply doing their jobs. The few seconds of horror that was broadcasted on live TV gave us all a glimpse into the reality of gun violence in America. As a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, it was incredibly difficult to watch,” said Colin Goddard, Virginia Tech shooting survivor and Senior Policy Advocate for Everytown for Gun Safety. “It should not be normal in this country that people are shot and killed while doing their job, or studying in class, or watching a movie. Leaders in the Commonwealth and in our country can no longer sit idly by while more Americans are gunned down. It is time that they act to protect Americans and do more to keep guns out of dangerous hands. We deserve better.”