The unexpected shooting of a WDBJ television reporter and cameraman live on the air on Wednesday morning has shocked media professionals and other Americans who are turning to Twitter to express anger, grief or support for the Virginia TV station after the tragedy.
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she was “heartbroken and angry” before calling for action on gun control laws.
Many people shared similar sentiments, with one man tweeting, “I’m sorry for the world we have become.” Others asked that the issue not be politicized as a means to further new gun control legislation, instead allowing families and loved ones of reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward.
Read more reactions below.
Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims’ families in Virginia. -H
– Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 26, 2015
Horrified to hear that 2 young journalists were shot & killed doing the job they loved. Praying for the #WDBJ family. http://t.co/kE0sAJhCy3
– Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) August 26, 2015
Modest Proposal: If Congress won't pass gun laws then they should just give Kevlar vests 2 all Americans. Cost: $40B, just 3wks of I/A war$.
– Michael Moore (@MMFlint) August 26, 2015
Every newsroom is affected by this. We all are doing our jobs. We are members of the community. Most of all, we are human. This hurts. #WDBJ — Blaine Fentress (@BlaineTrain310) August 26, 2015
Wish I could un-see what I’ve seen today. Prayers to #WDBJ family.
— Katherine Smith (@katsmithsports) August 26, 2015
My heart goes out to the journalists at #WDBJ reporting the news of their colleagues deaths with such professionalism and poise #courage — Mike Le Couteur (@mikelecouteur) August 26, 2015
Fellow Americans upset (rightly) about killing of #WDBJ journalists: Israel does the same thing in Gaza – and we’re arming them at $3B/yr.
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) August 26, 2015
Watching the live coverage on #WDBJ. Incredible poise under impossible circumstances. — Josh DeVine (@TBIJoshDeVine) August 26, 2015
Not sure how these folks at #WDBJ are doing what they're doing today. Pros beyond pros. Can't even imagine.
– Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) August 26, 2015
Our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones following the tragic #WDBJ shooting.
– E! Online (@eonline) August 26, 2015
The more I learn about what happened today to two #WDBJ journalists and the woman being interviewed… the more I feel absolutely sick.
– Lindsey Mastis (@LindseyMastis) August 26, 2015
What the @NRA is really saying: “You’re nobody.” That’s why they look at Newtown, Charleston, or #WDBJ and shrug. The dead? Buncha nobodies.
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) August 26, 2015
People keep telling me it’s too soon to talk about Gun Control since #WDBJ just happened. I say it’s too late. – MATTY ICE (@MattyIceAZ) August 26, 2015
Shootings happening in this country daily – thousands and thousands dying but we still don’t want to have some serious gun laws. #Roanoke
– MuslimMarine (@mansoortshams) August 26, 2015
To all the lawmakers and elected officials: save your thoughts and save your pointless prayers. Start doing something. #WDBJ – Neanderthal Rhubarb (@EarlMontclair) August 26, 2015
Live-tweeting your own murder spree. America jumps the shark. #WDBJ #Roanoke
– Jeff Tiedrich (@jefftiedrich) August 26, 2015
Live-tweeting your own murder spree. America jumps the shark. #WDBJ #Roanoke – Jeff Tiedrich (@jefftiedrich) August 26, 2015
To my reporter/photographer friends heading into the field to cover the news today, watch your six. It’s the world we live in now. #roanoke
– mike avila (@mikeavila) August 26, 2015
No community journalist should have to fear for their lives reporting on fun stories. I’m so outraged by this. #roanoke – David H. (@RunningBecause) August 26, 2015
Wonder what the right will blame the shooting on, because it surely wasn’t a gun and availability that made it possible was it? #Virginia
– Anonymous (@AnonPress) August 26, 2015
What’ll be the @NRA solution to the #virginia shooting tragedy? Give all journalists guns. – Steven Buckley (@StevenJCBuckley) August 26, 2015
Pure evil flowed through the Internet today… hope to never witness anything like this ever again. #WBDJ
– Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) August 26, 2015
I respectfully ask that people let friends, family & media members mourn before turning this into a political platform. Not the time. #WBDJ – Kerry Longobucco (@KerryWBNG) August 26, 2015
I imagine defending self at point blank while holding a camera or carrying out an interview is… difficult. That argument is absurd #WBDJ
– Josh A (@NotJasonBiggs) August 26, 2015
Can’t go to movies, can’t go to school, can’t go to the mall, can’t do your job without the fear of getting shot to death #guncontrol #WBDJ – Sabrina (@SNeverything) August 26, 2015
I just want to go pick up my kids from school and hold them. Days like this I just want to say I’m sorry for the world we have become. #WBDJ
– Travis (@Sw0rdf1sh) August 26, 2015