Seattle reporter Gene Johnson, video journalist Manuel Valdes and photographer Lindsey Wasson quickly headed to a popular Seattle food festival when news of a shooting broke. All three served as multiformat journalists, conducting interviews and collecting visuals from different areas of the scene.
While gathering witness statements, Valdes set up a live shot that was carried by major outlets and put AP eight hours ahead of the competition. Johnson and Wasson used classic shoe-leather reporting and quick thinking to obtain the first UGC images showing victims being treated, finding the photographer and using Wasson’s own camera to transmit the photos digitally. Savvy interviewing and relationship-building ensured AP had essential visuals and reporting from the tragedy’s earliest moments. Dogged reporting, local expertise and strong teamwork put AP’s Seattle team ahead on a fast-moving story.
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