The gunman who murdered two Virginia journalists and wounded another person on live television legally purchased two handguns last month, including the one used in the attack, and was able to pass a required background check despite his apparent emotional problems, a federal law enforcement official said Thursday.

The official, who is not authorized to comment publicly, said Vester Flanagan bought two Glock 9mm handguns from a federally licensed gun dealer in Virginia, and there was nothing in his criminal background to prohibit the transaction.

The same weapon used early Wednesday morning by Flanagan to kill reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, was used to kill himself, the official said.

Read the article “Gun Used in Live TV Murders was Purchased Legally” on usatoday.com.