Who were the two Virginia journalists killed on live TV?

Two Roanoke, Virginia journalists were shot and killed on live television Wednesday morning.

Reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward of WDBJ-TV were interviewing an economic development official at a local shopping center when they were shot.

After news of their death broke, social media was flooded with an outpouring of sympathy over the loss of the two.

There was also vitriol against the suspected shooter, Vester Lee Flanagan II.

The pair were beloved and respected by coworkers. So who were they?

Alison Parker

Parker was a 24-year-old reporter who grew up in Martinsville, near Roanoke. She graduated from James Madison University in 2012 with a degree in media arts and design, according to her LinkedIn page. While in college Parker, was an active member in the Alpha Phi sorority and interned in both marketing and news roles.

She moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina for a short time before moving just north of her hometown, where she took a job with WDBJ.

Parker had recently moved in with her boyfriend, fellow reporter Chris Hurst.

We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN

— Chris Hurst (@ChrisHurstVA) August 26, 2015

Parker’s colleagues said she was a “rock star” to work with.

“I lost my dad back in January and she was one of the first people to come with condolences, came to my home and brought food and comfort,” WDBJ anchor Kimberly McBroom told ABC News. “That’s just who she was — a good friend.”

painful statement from Allison Parker’s father: pic.twitter.com/LvavT7r9VY

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 26, 2015

Adam Ward

Ward, 27, was also from the Roanoke area. He graduated from Salem High School, about 10 miles from downtown Roanoke. He went on to graduate from Virginia Tech in 2011 with a degree in communication and media studies, according to his LinkedIn page.

He was engaged to WDBJ morning producer Melissa Ott.

I am comforted by everyone at @WDBJ7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee.

— Chris Hurst (@ChrisHurstVA) August 26, 2015

A colleague said Ward seemed ready to move on and do something else with his life, but Larry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations at Virginia Tech said in a statement Ward loved what he was doing.

“He worked hard,” the statement read. “You could tell he loved what he was doing. He wasn’t afraid to pitch in and do whatever was necessary for the broadcast. He did whatever was needed with a smile and with grace. He was simply a very nice young man and very professional.”

We love you, Alison and Adam. pic.twitter.com/hLSzQi06XE

— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015

Related

Retired pilot helps historical society buy Neil Armstrong’s boyhood home for toursArizona fugitive detained in Mexico 12 years after arrest warrant issuedMesa shooting investigation closes US 60 area of Greenfield RoadAnthropic commits 5% of its stock to a new ‘public benefit’ fundJeffries likes Democrats’ chances in race for the House as he campaigns in OhioMassachusetts GOP lieutenant governor candidate suspends campaign after arrest in car crash