Husband of survivor in Virginia news crew shooting speaks out

Friday, August 28, 2015
Husband of survivor in TV news crew shooting speaks out
The husband of Vicki Gardner, the lone survivor in the Virginia television news crew shooting, speaks out and recalls the details of the terrifying moments his wife went through.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The husband of Vicki Gardner, the lone survivor in the Virginia television news crew shooting, speaks out and recalls the details of the terrifying moments his wife went through.

Vicki Gardner was being interviewed live when suddenly gunshots rang out and she was struck by bullets.

She is now out of a medically induced coma and told her husband about gunman Vester Flanagan's attack.

"He shot three times at my wife and she was trying to dodge everything. He missed twice, she dove to the ground, curled up in a ball and that's when he shot her in the back," Tim Gardner said.

Gardner said Flanagan stood over her, attempting to shoot several more times, but his gun misfired. Somehow, she was able to stand up and walk to an ambulance with a bullet in her body.

Meanwhile, her husband could not figure out what he had seen on TV. He said he saw his wife and reporter Alison Parker doing the interview and then the gunshots.

After the shooting, Flanagan fled in a rental car. When police approached him, he fatally shot himself.

New court documents reveal that among the items found in Flanagan's car were a Glock pistol, more ammunition and a briefcase containing three license plates and a wig.

Flanagan, known on TV as Bryce Williams, had been fired from the station WDBJ more than two years ago for poor reporting and anger issues.

Police were called after he was fired and photographer Andy Ward captured video of the tense moment, which frustrated Flanagan.

On Thursday, the WDBJ news team observed a moment of silence on the air just 24 hours after Ward and Parker were killed in the shooting. A vigil outside of the news station continues to grow.

More of Gardner's exclusive interview can be seen on an ABC News special edition of 20/20 Friday night at 10 p.m. on ABC7.