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WDBJ Shooting Should Raise Flags For Employers Nationwide, Expert Says

BOSTON (CBS) – It was an assassination caught live on the air.

When reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were gunned down during a broadcast, the WDBJ newsroom immediately thought of former employee Vester Lee Flanagan II, who was known on air as Bryce Williams.

"He's really the name that came up because of his unpredictable nature," Jeffrey Marks, WDBJ General Manager said.

Flanagan claimed he suffered racial discrimination and bullying on the job. He had unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against a Florida television station.

David Selden of Lahey Health Behavioral Services tells WBZ-TV's Beth Germano that the WDBJ tragedy raises numerous flags for employers around the country about disgruntled workers.

"Looking further upstream how you hire, who do you hire? Who do you bring into your workplace? You can't necessarily teach respect. You can't necessarily teach empathy. So look for people who have it," said Selden who focuses on workplace violence.

Flanagan was let go from WDBJ in 2013 and the newsroom was reportedly evacuated as police were called when he left the building.

"He did not get along well with other people he worked with. And some preferred not to work with him," Marks said.

In a fax to ABC News, Flanagan cited the June church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina as a motivation.

"The church shooting was a tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily… I've been a human powder keg for a while… just waiting to go BOOM," Flanagan allegedly wrote.

Selden, meanwhile, said employers nationwide should continue trying to find ways to make sure similar situations don't happen in the future.

"There should be a mechanism that you can employ to make it a safer workplace and if this person needs help to get them the help," Selden told WBZ.

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