A reporter and cameraman were fatally shot in Virginia this morning after a gunman fired at them during a live TV interview at a shopping centre.

WDBJ7 TV reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were killed while conducting a live news segment in Moneta, Bedford County, the TV station confirmed today. 

The footage which aired this morning shows Ms. Parker interviewing local Chamber of Commerce head Vicki Gardner, when gunshots ring out in the background.

Ms. Parker can be seen screaming and running away from with the interviewee, while the camera drops to the ground. A man who is believed to be the gunman can be briefly seen behind the cameraman. Authorities are still searching for the shooter, according to reports.

The video then cuts back to the Virginia newsroom when a stunned news anchor says, "Okay, not sure what happened there, we will of course let you know as soon as we find out what those sounds were."

Both Ms. Parker and Mr. Ward were killed, while Ms. Gardner has reportedly been admitted for surgery after being shot in the back. WDBJ’s general manager, Jeffrey Marks, said on air after confirming the tragic deaths that  the reporters "were just out doing their jobs, adding, "We do not know the motive or who the suspect or the killer is."

Mr. Ward was reportedly engaged to be married to another employee at the station, producer Melissa Ott. He had worked with the station since 2011, while Ms. Parker had begun reporting there last year.

The pair worked together on a regular basis doing off-site interviews and broadcasts.

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this time.