WATCH ABOVE: The brother of Vicki Gardner, the sole survivor of the fatal WDBJ-7 shooting, spoke about his sister’s recovery and what she remembers from the shooting.
The sole survivor of this week’s heinous shooting that took place live on a morning television show is “recovering well” after undergoing two surgeries.
Vicki Gardner was speaking with WDBJ-7 reporter Alison Parker Wednesday morning, at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, Virginia, when a former reporter with the station opened fire — killing the 24-year-old journalist and her 27-year-old cameraman, Adam Ward.
READ MORE: Grieving U.S. TV station regroups for newscast after deaths
Gardner, the executive director of the Smith Mountain Chamber of Commerce, suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound to her back, but is now in “good condition,” her family said in a statement Friday afternoon.
“She has undergone two surgeries since being brought by ambulance to the hospital immediately following the incident on Wednesday morning. Her first surgery, performed by Carilion’s Trauma Services team, was to address the immediate life-threatening injuries sustained when the gunman shot her once in the back during the live remote broadcast.”
She was in stable condition by Wednesday afternoon, but remained in a medically-induced coma at Roanoke’s Carilion Memorial Hospital until the next day.
READ MORE: Bridgewater Plaza reopens after fatal on-air shootings in Virginia
Doctors had to remove her right kidney and a portion of her colon because of the damage the bullet caused. But, it could have been worse. Gardner’s husband — who watched the horrific scene unfold on television — confirmed to ABC News the gunman, 41-year-old Vester Lee Flanagan, fired a total of three shots at the 62-year-old.
“He shot three times at my wife, and she was trying to dodge everything,” Tim Gardner said in an interview with Good Morning America. “He missed twice, and then she dove to the ground and curled up in a ball, and that’s when he shot her in the back.
“I don’t think she ever felt like she was in danger. After, she got up and walked to the ambulance after being shot, but she didn’t know the extent of her injuries at that point. But the surgeon told me that a couple of centimetres and she wouldn’t be walking and a couple of centimetres more and she wouldn’t be alive.”
According to her family’s statement, published on the WDBJ-7 website, Gardner “walked herself to the ambulance and called her husband to let him know what had happened.”
The family not only expressed their gratitude to police and the doctors and nurses who took care of her, but paid special tribute to the Parker and Ward.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of Adam Ward and Alison Parker, two shining stars in our region. Our condolences go to their families, their many colleagues in the media community—especially WDBJ-7, and their many friends throughout our area. Adam and Alison always made getting up in the morning a little bit easier and a lot more fun.”
The shooting was an apparent act of retaliation for grievances the gunman had with his former employer.
READ MORE: Workplace violence: The psychology of a disgruntled employee who kills
Flanagan, who was a reporter with WDBJ-7 for a year until he was fired in 2013, went by the name Bryce Williams on air.
Flanagan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing the scene and leading police on a chase. He was pronounced dead in hospital at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday, more than seven hours after he killed Parker and Ward.
Read the full statement from Vicki Gardner’s family
We are heartbroken at the loss of Adam Ward and Alison Parker, two shining stars in our region. Our condolences go to their families, their many colleagues in the media community—especially WDBJ7, and their many friends throughout our area. Adam and Alison always made getting up in the morning a little bit easier and a lot more fun.
We are also grateful for the overwhelming love shown by you in support of Vicki these last few days. For the countless prayers, flowers, and phone calls – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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This afternoon, Vicki remains in good condition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and is recovering well. She has undergone two surgeries since being brought by ambulance to the hospital immediately following the incident on Wednesday morning. Her first surgery, performed by Carilion’s Trauma Services team, was to address the immediate life-threatening injuries sustained when the gunman shot her once in the back during the live remote broadcast. Her second surgery, which occurred yesterday (Thursday, August 27), helped to further repair the damage done by the bullet. During the surgeries, Vicki had her right kidney and a portion of her colon removed.
Vicki has shown her amazing strength in many ways over the years, and this week’s incident again revealed that strength and her determination. After being injured and having witnessed the murders of Alison and Adam, she walked herself to the ambulance and called her husband to let him know what had happened.
Today, she is awake, alert and talking, and we are grateful to the many people who have cared for Vicki throughout this ordeal – the emergency medical services workers in Franklin County, police and sheriff’s deputies from Franklin and Bedford Counties, the nurses and doctors at Carilion and all of the individuals in between who made her their priority.
Please respect our privacy during this difficult time.
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