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The father of the television reporter who was slain on air says the family is “numb”.
Andy Parker, the father of Alison Parker, says he goes from shock to not believing to realising that it happened and just crying his eyes out.
He says he was proud of her ethics as a journalist. He said that police in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she had her first full-time job would give her scoops because she showed herself to be trustworthy.
He said he watched all of her pieces online.
He said his ambitious daughter graduated from James Madison University in 3½ years. Her interests ranged from white-water kayaking to ballet.
“She excelled at everything she did,” he said.
The property outside the studios of WDBJ-TV in Roanoke has turned into a tribute to slain reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward.
Dozens of balloons and flower arrangements dotted the property leading to the front door.
Reporters from multiple media outlets gathered for a late afternoon news conference at the station with WDBJ president and general manager Jeffrey Marks and news director Kelly Zuber.
Zuber says the station is setting up scholarships at the alma maters of Parker and Ward. Parker graduated from James Madison University and Ward went to Virginia Tech.
Marcia Burdick, senior vice president of broadcasting at WDBJ parent company Schurz Communications of South Bend, Indiana, says the National Association of Broadcasters has taken the lead in setting up a fund for the families of Parker and Ward.
