WATCH ABOVE: Jeff Marks, WDBJ7’s general manager, described Vester Flanagan’s employment with the news station and the events leading up to his termination two-and-a-half years ago.
TORONTO — Searches of Vester Flanagan’s rental car and apartment turned up a trove of unusual items such as a wig, extra license plates, and multiple publicity photos of himself.
Flanagan, who also went by the name Bryce Williams, gunned down two of his former co-workers on live television Wednesday morning in Moneta, Virginia. After a police manhunt he was found in rental car suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to hospital where he later died.
Flanagan’s rental car was found to have a Glock pistol, multiple magazines and ammunition, according to police. He had an iPhone, multiple stamped letters and a to-do list. Police said they found a “briefcase w/3 license plates, wig, shawl, umbrella, sunglasses,” as well as a black hat.
READ MORE: What we know about Vester Flanagan aka Bryce Williams
Get daily National news
A search of Flanagan’s apartment found the fridge to be covered with professional portraits of the 41-year-old, according to The Daily Mail which published photos of the apartment.
The apartment was sparsely furnished and said to have smelled of cat urine. Photos of the apartment, which was reportedly less than half a kilometer from the TV station, showed dishes still in the dish rack, more than 20 candles on the washroom counter and a bed with no sheets.
Flanagan had a personal vendetta against his past employer and coworkers, claiming he’d been victim of racism at the station. He also alluded to being attacked in the past for being gay.
Memos released from the TV station showed an employee who was prone to flying off the handle and general bad behaviour. He was warned multiple times and even offered professional counselling before he was eventually fired in February 2013.
It’s not clear what Flanagan did between the time of his dismissal and the fatal shooting, other than filing a civil suit against the TV station, which was later dismissed.
WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photojournalist, Adam Ward, 27, were shot as Parker conducted a live interview. Vicky Gardner, the woman being interviewed by Parker, was also shot. She was rushed to hospital where she underwent surgery and was reported to be in good condition.
WATCH BELOW: WDBJ7 employees wear ribbons in remembrance of Alison Parker and Adam Ward
With a file from the Associated Press
Comments