# Reporter shooting in Virginia **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 26, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942 "2015-08-26T13:30:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/121 "2015-08-27T02:43:58Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > That might explain the reporter, but it’s odd the interviewee failed to notice anything. Exactly. And she had a slightly better angle, it appeared. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/122 "2015-08-27T02:54:02Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > The fact that this video is available and people are watching (and presumably sharing) it is just deeply disgusting. What the fuck is wrong with them? I’d advise against watching it. > > Apparently the producer at the station and the reporter were engaged and this was her last day on the job. I agree ! WTF ! is wrong with people ! This not some video game this is real live people that were gun down in cold blood! ☹ I been worried about this happening to reporters while on TV . I believe the video has been removed and no longer on line. At least I hope this is correct. I wish the shooter just killed himself and not kill innocent people . People are going mad today ! ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/123 "2015-08-27T02:58:41Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > I believe the video has been removed and no longer on line. At least I hope this is correct. Gotta love people who think that censoring the 'net is possible (even if they think it is desirable). The Internet is not some kind of centralized thing where you can remove something. It is the agglomerate of all the computers connected to it. You can put up a server on your own computer and be the information source if you want. And for $10 a year you can even have a nifty name like “[Infowars.com](http://Infowars.com)”. Once the video was posted, it was copied by people and re-posted. And re-posted. And re-copied. You cannot “remove” it. It will be online as long as someone puts it up. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/124 "2015-08-27T03:51:15Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Plus it shows him to be the deranged loser everybody already thought he was. Whenever one of these nuts responds to whatever persecution they believe, it just confirms that those who thought less of the nut were right on target. The problem with paranoia is that it can be easily become a vicious circle, the person can start by being a little twitchy and acting mildly weird which draws attention and that makes the person even more anxious, which makes them act even more weird and so on and so forth. Just yesterday I was listening to on of Bill Burr’s podcasts, Psycho on a Plane iirc, it (hilariously) shows the whole process unfolding in a manner of minutes. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/125 "2015-08-27T04:00:56Z")
Regarding seeing the gunman - Of course the reporter and interviewee saw a human being there. People walk up on us all the time, you learn to tune it out. Deep inside you hope you won’t hear “Fuck her right in the pussy!” Or whatever else people think is funny these days. When working a live shot I don’t run a camera, I operate an asshole magnet. Adam the photog was handheld and the shooter was in his blindside. If he was on tripod he might have had a chance, as you tend to float your head around looking for your next shot. Anyone who has worked long enough in TV news has been attacked. It comes with the territory. I have been in a few fights over the years. Honestly there was zero surprise over today’s events. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/126 "2015-08-27T04:23:35Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNW3kCVVEAAIhJS.png](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNW3kCVVEAAIhJS.png) With social media and the amount of fringe weirdos out there you can find anything damning you want, what does it prove? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/127 "2015-08-27T04:41:04Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > I agree ! WTF ! is wrong with people ! This not some video game this is real live people that were gun down in cold blood! ☹ I been worried about this happening to reporters while on TV . I believe the video has been removed and no longer on line. At least I hope this is correct. I wish the shooter just killed himself and not kill innocent people . People are going mad today ! I dislike this attitude immensely, it isn’t like the viewers are giggling with glee we simply want all information on the subject, why deny ourselves information? If I get killed by a deranged gunman, you have my permission to watch any videos. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/128 "2015-08-27T06:09:54Z")
The local reporters were on Twitter today discussing the shooting. It strikes way too close to home for all of them. That the shooter was a former colleague makes it worse. 2gigch1 any thoughts on how the shooter knew where to turn up? Do reporters use a radio channel he might have monitored? He specifically said the cameraman had reported him to HR a couple years ago. This guy held a grudge for a quite awhile and picked his targets. I watched both videos. A real shooting is nothing like what Hollywood shows. I didn’t see the lady’s body react at all to being hit. No recoil or anything. No blood splatter on the dress. I guess it’s possible he missed with that first shot before she ran. But, how could he miss from only a few feet away? He was aiming at her mid-section. Senseless tragedy. My prayers go out to the victim’s families. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/129 "2015-08-27T06:17:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I watched both videos. A real shooting is nothing like what Hollywood shows. I didn’t see the lady’s body react at all to being hit. No recoil or anything. No blood splatter on the dress. I guess it’s possible he missed with that first shot before she ran. But, how could he miss from only a few feet away? He was aiming at her mid-section. And this is the value such media has, it shows us the reality of situations we would otherwise only see through hollywood bullshit. My BIL is a firefighter and my wife inadvertently saw a folder of pics he took at car accident scenes, I wish everyone could see them. It only added to the anxiety I feel whenever traveling in a car. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/130 "2015-08-27T06:31:50Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > 2gigch1 any thoughts on how the shooter knew where to turn up? Do reporters use a radio channel he might have monitored? On the radio someone mentioned that about 30 min before the appearance they showed the location where they were going to do the interview on the air. So if he was watching, he’d know where it was going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/131 "2015-08-27T07:13:42Z")
Ironic that the location in the mall seemed pretty safe compared to many places reporters go. 6:45 AM just before the Mall opened and the mall walkers begin their laps. A pretty safe time of day too. I guess this shooter would have turned up somewhere. It was just a matter of time. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/132 "2015-08-27T12:12:30Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I dislike this attitude immensely, it isn’t like the viewers are giggling with glee we simply want all information on the subject, why deny ourselves information? I don’t get this. I’m not going to watch the videos. What information do you now possess that I don’t? ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/133 "2015-08-27T12:23:27Z")
Unless something tremendous was happening a morning crew live shot works one location during the early shows. Also they are expected to do multiple hits (what the hell are we payin’ ya for?). So yes the killer could have been watching the broadcast and deduced the shot location. Given he rented the getaway car a month before, this was no sudden act of impulse. I have no doubt he either made dry runs or actual attempts before yesterday, only to call it off before striking. Whether the situation wasn’t ideal or his emotions conflicted, the month of rental car seems to indicate to me he was probably within range of his victims on occasion before finally pulling the trigger yesterday. Given the car switch idea it was clear he wanted to escape, even while going public with his side of the story (doesn’t have to make sense). If I had to guess, yesterday was the day he was presented with the cleanest getaway opportunity. But it wasn’t the first. He had likely been hunting before. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/134 "2015-08-27T12:29:45Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > I wonder if it’s like in regular stage acting? You’re not supposed to let anything break you from playing your character. Perhaps similarly, they were so focused on not wasting a take (for whatever reason), they simply weren’t paying attention to any of their other surroundings. I mean, think about reporters doing interviews in front of hoards of screaming, rowdy kids (like at a concert, say) and that would have to be a talent you’d need to develop. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > That might explain the reporter, but it’s odd the interviewee failed to notice anything. This was planned as a live thing; no takes or do-overs. That could be the reason. But the shooter was clearly (on his camera) showing the gun in advance so — but I still find it the part of the whole story that caught the biggest part of my attention. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/135 "2015-08-27T17:30:03Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > This was planned as a live thing; no takes or do-overs. That could be the reason. But the shooter was clearly (on his camera) showing the gun in advance so — but I still find it the part of the whole story that caught the biggest part of my attention. But just barely in advance. Imagine this. You’re doing a live interview, and some busy body (you think) is creeping up on you with his camera phone. You willfully ignore him to concentrate on the interview, your questions, her replies, etc. while you’re focused on this, he quickly reaches around his back with his freehand to pull out his pistol. Not 2 seconds after this, his camera phone still held out in front, he rapidly fires on them. There’s just no time to process this when you’re so focused on something else, not even paying much attention to him anymore. No one just expects to be shot in cold blood on a moment’s notice. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/136 "2015-08-28T00:44:09Z")
> [@grude](#): > > And this is the value such media has, it shows us the reality of situations we would otherwise only see through hollywood bullshit. This. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/137 "2015-08-28T01:53:12Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > im sure watching the murders was for research purposes. We can’t stop people from watching the murder videos, you can’t stop us from looking down on you for doing so. So did you and you’re coworker look away when the planes hit the WTC? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/138 "2015-08-28T02:11:48Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > This. I don’t get that either. How is that valuable? > [@Magiver](#): > > So did you and you’re coworker look away when the planes hit the WTC? Not really a good example. I think of it more like those beheading videos from Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/139 "2015-08-28T02:34:18Z")
The USA is awash in gun deaths, far, far, far out of proportion when compared to any other first world country, yet the statistics are only that: faceless statistics. Seeing a person, not an actor on the screen, but a genuine person, a person like you or like me, get murdered, be it by a gun in the USA, or a knife in the Middle East, brings the death into your reality. It is not just a statistic, he or she is now a person with whom you, even if only for a few seconds, have recognized as a person. Hopefully this will result in Americans moving one step closer in what will be a very long march toward dealing with their utterly horrendous gun culture. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942/140 "2015-08-28T03:26:34Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > I don’t get that either. How is that valuable? > > Not really a good example. I think of it more like those beheading videos from Iraq. 2 planes full of people driven into buildings. 157 people in the planes alone including children who were flying alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporter-shooting-in-virginia/728942.md?page=8)