Vester Car
A getaway car of suspected gunman Vester Lee Flanagan is towed away on a flatbed tow truck on Highway 66 in Fauquier County, Virginia, on Aug. 26, 2015. Reuters/Kevin Lamarqu

Vester Lee Flanagan, the ex-TV reporter and gunman who killed two Virginia journalists and wounded another on live television this week, legally purchased the handgun he used in the attack, officials told several news outlets Thursday. Flanagan was able to pass a background check despite his apparent history of emotional problems and difficulties in the workplace, USA Today reported.

Flanagan, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday, bought two Glock 9mm handguns from a federally-licensed gun dealer in Virginia last month, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly. There was nothing in the gunman’s criminal background to prohibit the transaction, although that fact has renewed call for stricter state and federal gun control laws.

Flanagan’s weapon of choice appeared to have been the same one used by mass shooter Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people in the 2007 attack on Virginia Tech. Cho, who also killed himself after the shooting, used a Glock.

Among items in the car Flanagan used to flee the scene, police found a Glock pistol, six Glock magazines, 9 mm ammunition and a gun case., according to local authorities.

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