CBS news station WDBJ has confirmed that reporter Alison Parker (above centre) and cameraman Adam Ward (top right) have died after being shot while they were conducting a live TV interview.
The young journalists - who were only 24 and 27 respectively, were interviewing Smith Mountain Lake Chamber director Vicki Gardener at 6:45am near Moneta, Virgina, when eight shots rang out.
Footage circulating online (which we have chosen not to include) shows the women duck as the camera falls to the floor, and screams can be heard in the background.
CBS' general manager later came on air to confirm the tragic news of Parker and Ward's deaths.
'It's my very very sad duty to report... that Alison and Adam died this morning,' he said.
A manhunt in the area has now launched, with 30-40 police officers looking for the shooter- who is partially shown in the TV footage.
Dudley, Burnt Chimney and Windy Gap elementary schools as well as Bedford County school have been placed on lockdown.
UPDATE:
The gunman in this morning's shocking live shooting is reportedly WDBJ newsreader Bryce Williams- also known as Vester Lee Flanagan II, 41.
A Twitter account in his name released footage of this morning's killing- filmed by the gunman himself.
The account has now been suspended, after hundreds of users reported the distressing footage, which showed the graphic shootings.
Reports say Williams was hired by the station in April 2012 and left the station in September 2013.
Some sources suggest he was unhappy about the termination of his contract, while others say there was bad blood between him and Parker.
WDBJ now report Williams has commited suicide.