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Church Bells Ringing in Charleston; New Orleans Manhunt Over; Gunfire Rings Out at Child's Birthday Party; New Sightings of Two Escaped Killers. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired June 21, 2015 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: And gunfire rings out at a child's birthday party in Detroit, killing a 20-year-old man. Nine others, including three women and six men are wounded. Police say it's a miracle no children were hurt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's kids out here. I'm livid and there's no excuse. There's not any excuse why no one is not talking. People at the hospital we are going to find out as much as we can. But come on, man up or woman, whatever, and tell us what's going on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Around 400 people were at that party at a basketball court when the shots were fired. Police say they have no leads because witnesses are not talking.

We have so much more straight ahead in the newsroom, and it all starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Happening now in the NEWSROOM --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many hearts are broken and tears are still being shed. Through it all, we are reminded that we serve a god.

WHITFIELD: Prayer and healing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As we find ourselves engulfed with sadness and darkness and as we find ourselves walking through the valley in the shadow of death, we can look through the windows of our faith and we see hope.

WHITFIELD: Plus, new sightings of two killers on the run.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Female passenger, dark hair with two males reported to match the description of the escaped prisoners, David Sweat and Richard Matt.

WHITFIELD: Police zeroing in on what they're calling a new hot spot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They told us stay home, lock your doors and windows.

WHITFIELD: NEWSROOM starts now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hello again, everyone. And thanks so much for joining us. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

New developments in the search for two escaped killers from an upstate New York prison. Right now, we're waiting for a news conference to get under way scheduled for now 30 minutes from now. Live pictures from Allegany, New York, where we are expected to hear the latest on the search for Richard Matt and David Sweat who have been on the run now for 16 days. And now a third possible citing called credible along the Pennsylvania/New York border which has created the latest hot spot for search teams.

Our Alexandra Field is in the middle of the action there in Friendship, New York. Describe the law enforcement buildup that you've seen there.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred. This press conference is going to come just a day after that, you know, quote-unquote, "credible sighting" or "credible report" of a sighting came in. And what people have been seeing over the last 24 hours, there is a big buildup of law enforcement officers in the area.

Some 300 officers from a number of different areas are on the ground here throughout the county. They are also doing patrols in the air. They are searching some homes and they are closing some roads while they do searches of various cars.

So far it seems that these searches have not led to the goal here, which is of course another sighting of the fugitives that would put police in a position to track these men down and determine whether or not there's a been confirmed sighting. But a lot of people asking why so much action right now.

Of course, you've heard law enforcement authorities say for the last two weeks, that there have been tips coming in, reported sightings coming in by the hundreds. So why are we seeing such a focus on this area? Well, one law enforcement source said that this was a credible report for a couple of reasons. First of all, the description of the two fugitives who were seen or the two people who were seen appeared to match the description of the two men that they're looking for, Richard matt and David Sweat. Law enforcement would also have to look at the caller in this case and determine whether or not this caller was plausibly a credible person.

What we know is that the reported sighting happened somewhere near a train track and that at one point investigators found foot tracks near that train track which they are following, hoping it could lead them closer to Richard Matt and David Sweat.

Now, bear in mind, Fredricka, that this search which is happening right now is happening some 300 miles southwest of the maximum security prison that these two convicted killers broke out of. That said, we have known from the start that law enforcement officers would be willing to entertain and pursue any tips that came in the area of the prison and well beyond that. There has been certainly a knowledge on behalf of law enforcement officers involved in this search that the suspects could be close to the prison and they could be a great distance by now.

We're talking about a 16-day period, Fred, since they broke out of that prison. At this point here on the ground in Allegany, law enforcement officers are saying that they will continue to pursue that lead that came in yesterday until they believe they have fully exhausted it.

WHITFIELD: All right, Alexandra Field, thank you so much there in Friendship.

All right. We're also following breaking news out of New Orleans now where a nearly 24-hour manhunt for an alleged cop killer is now over. 33-year-old Travis Boys was captured by police this morning after he escaped from his -- from being transported on Saturday. Boys broke his handcuffs and grabbed a gun and allegedly then shot New Orleans police officer Daryle Halloway before fleeing the scene. Officer Halloway died shortly thereafter after a nearby hospital this morning. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu spoke about the loss.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[15:05:13] MAYOR MITCH LANDRIEU, NEW ORLEANS: People would agree that we lost a hero and it's going to take time for us to recover. When something happens like this, it puts a city in trauma. He was more than a great cop, he was a good man. He was a good father. Our hearts break for him and his children on father's day. And I just want to say that this was really a despicable and cowardly act by a young man who had lost his way many, many, many times and was thinking about himself and only himself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And now New Orleans police superintendent Michael Harrison joining me right now on the phone.

So Superintendent Harrison, you know, there was this massive manhunt for Travis Boys. He was caught while trying to board a bus. Give me an idea of the circumstances, because I understand -- at least I read that it was a rookie police officer who spotted him boarding a bus with these broken handcuffs, is that right?

SUPT. MICHAEL HARRISON, NEW ORLEANS POLICE (on the phone): That is correct. As you know, we had a massive manhunt with multiple, local, state and federal agencies throughout the afternoon, all through the night. They worked tirelessly. But this morning we had a recruit riding with a field training officer. They were assigned to a city wide task force, so anti-crime patrols, and the recruit recognized the subject when he saw him on the corner. And through good police work, they began to make their approach. Of course, he saw the police car and he fled and they began to pursue him. At one point he tried to board a bus, which he did, and he had to run off of that bus but the officers had the wherewithal to make that apprehension without incident.

He did have busted handcuffs still on him where he apparently had gotten one off and was working to get the other off. But he appeared somewhat fatigued. He had been running all night and dehydrated so we immediately transported him to the hospital where we treated him for dehydration and then he was accepted into the Orleans parish prison without incident.

WHITFIELD: And I know this is very difficult for the police force and of course for the family of this 20-year veteran officer and his loss, but simultaneously as the department grieves the loss of your veteran, at the same time have you been able to figure out how it was that Boys was able to get, you know, break free? How did he get this gun? How did this happen in this transport?

HARRISON: Those are very interesting questions. Those are questions that obviously we are asking ourselves. There are investigations to get to the bottom of that procedurally. For safety reasons and procedural reasons, we're trying to figure out how he managed to get that gun into the car. And so, maybe some mistakes were made.

You know, right now we're just focusing on healing the department. We're focusing on healing the Holloway family. But we're working to make sure that something like this never, ever, ever happens again.

WHITFIELD: What can you tell us about Officer Daryle -- ?

HARRISON: We do know that there was a gun that was confiscated on his original arrest for firing a gun at a female. So he was arrested originally on that violation. Apparently there was a second gun that we recovered.

WHITFIELD: I see. All right. So what can you tell us about Officer Daryle Holloway, a 20-year vet and a father, on this father's day? This is heart breaking for his family.

HARRISON: 1992, I came on in '91 and we worked together in the same police district then for a few years. Very loveable guy. The life of any room. When he walked into the room, he lit the room up. Always had something funny to say. You couldn't be around him for three minutes without becoming his friend.

He was great at community policing. And everywhere he served, the community and the neighbors who lived there loved him. And so I'm going to miss him, the department is going to miss him, the city will truly miss him.

And like I said, everywhere he went, everybody he touched, he was a great partner, great colleague, great person to have. Always brave, but always full of life, full of imagery. Never had a bad day or bad attitude ever, just always full of life.

WHITFIELD: Our hearts break for Michael -- for Daryle Holloway's family and of course for the police department. Supt. Michael Harrison, thank you so much.

HARRISON: Thank you so much.

WHITFIELD: Coming up, a church in Charleston now reopening for the first time since nine of its members were massacred. Next, I'll talk to one of the members who was in church today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:10:00] WHITFIELD: Church bells have been ringing out across Charleston, South Carolina. The bells are a show of solidarity with mother Emanuel AME church to honor nine people killed during their bible study by a young white man who said he wanted to start a race war. The historic church where those nine were murdered reopened for Sunday worship services.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pastor reverend Clementa Pinckney, Reverend Dr. Daniel Simmons, the Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Reverend Tywanza Sanders, Sister Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Sister Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Sister Ethel Lance, Sister Susie Jackson.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those of us who know Jesus, we can look through the windows of our faith and we see hope and we see light and we can hear your voice saying I'm with you. Always, even to the end of the world.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we are people of faith, we will join hands and begin to work together to forge a new partnership, not them against us, but we are the children of god who will be marching on to victory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[15:15:13] WHITFIELD: For members of the Emanuel AME church, this week has been unimaginable and filled with complete heartbreak and devastation.

My next guest was actually at that church the day of the attack, at the church's senior citizens meeting before that bible study and the shooter attended that bible study before opening fire. But Felicia Breeland was not there during the bible study this time. She's joining me right now on the phone.

So Miss Breeland, you attended the church services today. When we talked on the phone the day after the shooting, you had expressed wanting to get back to Sunday service. Your prayers were answered. What was it like today?

FELICIA BREELAND, MEMBER, EMANUEL AME CHURCH (via phone): Yes, they were answered. We wanted to continue our church services and not let the gunman take over and replace our service. It was spiritual, very spiritual, and I think a good beginning of healing for our congregation and for Charleston as a whole. And the sermon was right on point. Psalms 46. God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Very much on point. And he will strengthen us, I think.

WHITFIELD: It was very poignant today. And you have been a member of this church your entire life. Your mother was a member of this church, your grandmother, and, you know, the Emanuel AME church family has been through a lot over the years. Your church family has been through a lot over the years. How do you see this bringing you altogether unlike other situations.

BREELAND: Well, this, I just looked around after church after I came outside and saw all the people of all races, of all religions. I just hope that we will continue to keep together and care for each other, get along with each other and even throughout America, throughout the world and just let there be peace on earth. But hearts will have to change, the thinking will have to change and all of this evil thoughts will have to go away.

WHITFIELD: Miss Felicia Breeland, thank you so much for being with us. And of course our hopes and prayers, really across the country, we've seen that, are all the same.

BREELAND: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. We now know that the murdered pastor of the church, state senator and reverend Clementa Pinckney will lie in state at the South Carolina statehouse Wednesday afternoon for public viewing. The funeral is set for 11:00 a.m. Friday at the arena on the college of Charleston campus.

Let's bring in CNN political commentator and former aide to President Obama, Van Jones.

Alright, good to see you again, Van. You said it earlier that this really is not an isolated incident. We have seen a pattern of incidences across the country. But what was very unique today and over the course of the last few days is seeing how Charleston came together and how there was this very, you know, common sentiment of being able to stamp out hate by showing an amazing, you know, display of love.

VAN JONES, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes. Well, absolutely. One of the things I think that is important for people to understand is when you show the pictures of inside, you see a lot of African-Americans. What was interesting was in the church, there was a lot of white people but outside the church you saw as many white people outside the church holding vigil as there were African-Americans inside the church. I think that says something about the ability of people to come together in times like this. If you are going to look at the true factual situation, this was a racial attack, this wasn't just a mental health issue. This guy had a manifesto saying he was doing this for racial reasons. And yet the response from the community was not to follow him down the road of racial hatred, it was in fact to accelerate a course for racial reconciliation.

I think part of the pain, if you listen to that -- the woman we just heard from, this was as close to blameless as you can get when it comes to victims. So many times we've heard, well, if the person hadn't talked back to the police officer, the person that if they pulled their pants up or whatever, all these different things. These were literally people in a church studying the bible. And yet they too were victims of this type of racial attack. I think if we can't come together on this and realize it, there must be something going wrong for a young man, mental health issues or not, to pick this type of a despicable act. There's something wrong. In Charleston they are coming together. We should come together in America as well.

[15:23:30] WHITFIELD: You know, Van, there have been some other observations made since early this morning right there in Charleston. We see and we understand and we've seen the images now that some of the confederate monuments in Charleston along Battery Park have been defaced with words painted in red there "black lives matter." so what is the reaction? Have people been talking about that at all?

JONES: Well, right around the church area there's more a sense of this being a sacred time, a healing time. Some of the issues around gun control, around the confederate flag have not been taken up as much. They certainly weren't addressed during the service and even afterwards. I do think those debates are going to stay forward. I hope that we can stay constructive about it. I'm a southerner and understand the sense of regional grievement (ph). There's a sense if you're a southerner, you're considered not to be as smart. On TV if they want somebody to look stupid, they give them a southern accent.

Those types of regional grievances are real that don't have anything to do with race. The problem is that when you grab a flag like that and have that be the symbol of regional pride, well, then now we're in a completely different conversation. I think we can be proud of this region. We can be proud of our faith. I think we can be proud of a lot of things about the south. I don't think we can be proud of that flag and I think it's time that we put that flag in a museum.

WHITFIELD: OK. Now, Dylann Roof, you know, through this manifesto, you know, almost justifying, and still it has yet to really be confirmed about whether he authored it. But he was also reportedly quoted as saying that he wanted to start this race war. How does this state of South Carolina even move on beyond this? Because we're seeing this great divide. A divide that has existed for a very long time about the debate about the confederate flag. At the same time, you know, it's not indicative of how everybody feels. What do you suppose is going to be the focus for South Carolinians as a whole to move forward despite the grief, despite the anguish?

JONES: You know, one of the challenges that I would put forward is that often when you see, say, for instance, a Muslim nut job go and do something terrible, you expect every Muslim leader to step forward to say this is wrong and to speak out forcefully. The media always says it's Muslim terrorism. When you saw the African-American kids, some of them tearing up stuff in Baltimore and other places, every black leader was called upon to denounce that.

Well, we have something now where I'd like to hear a more forceful response from, quote unquote, "white leaders" to say this is something that's not acceptable. To say that this is racial. There's some weird thing going on where people are almost afraid to say -- too many white leaders are afraid to say this is racial. This is racial. No incident so far has been more racial than this one.

I would love to see white leaders, both Republican and Democrat, say we have a problem. There's something going on where too many of our young people still are caught by these ideas. And if you can have honesty on that side, then we can have honesty on the other side to say everything wrong in the community, the black community, is not racial. And you can begin to have a little more honest dialogue about what's actually happening.

So I think there's an opportunity here where you have someone who was clearly identified with racist ideas do a despicable racist act of violence against completely blameless black people. If you can't step forward now and say that's racial and not acceptable, then I'm very, very concerned about where's the moral leadership.

So stop asking me where's Dr. King. I have to start asking where's Bobby Kennedy. Where are all those great leaders we had in the past that are willing to speak from the white side to bring us together.

WHITFIELD: All right, Van Jones, thanks so much, coming to us from Charleston today.

Meantime, we're also waiting a news conference to get under way in New York for an update on the ongoing search for two prison escapees. We're about six minutes away from that scheduled press conference. We'll take it live as it happens. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:28:18] WHITFIELD: Charleston's Emanuel AME church reopened today for the first time since nine African-Americans were massacred by a white gunman last week. Black and white worshippers filling the pews for an incredibly moving tribute to the nine victims, the message at mother Emanuel one of unity, healing and peace.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. NORVEL GOFF SR., 7TH AME CHURCH: Those of us who are here this morning, I want you to know because the doors of mother Emanuel is open on this Sunday. It sends a message to every demon in hell and on earth. Some wanted to divide the race, black and white and brown. But no weapon formed against us prosper.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The historic Emanuel AME church just couldn't handle the crowd of people, so as many gathered inside, many gathered outside. But those who experienced the music and emotion that filled the sanctuary say they will never forget it.

Our Nick Valencia is in Charleston, South Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Today was just another example of this community's integrity and Grace dealing with these extraordinary circumstances in stride. Hundreds filled the pews inside this historic Emanuel AME church, hundreds outside braving the heat. That didn't stop people from showing up to reflect, using this day as a day of remembrance for those nine innocent lives that were lost. Some people came from just down the road. Others I spoke to were from as far away as France. I want to introduce you to some people who did show up today. Michael.

[15:30:09] MICHAEL: Yes, sir.

VALENCIA: Tell me what compelled you to show up.

MICHAEL: Well, I mean, being from South Carolina, just seeing such a thing like this go down, I just wanted to come, you know, to pay my respects for it. You know, we hear about this kind of thing far off, but when we hear about it in our hometown, we just want to come down and pay our respects to the nine people who lost their lives here.

VALENCIA: How has this affected you as a young black man who -- they were targeted because they were black.

MICHAEL: Right.

VALENCIA: How has that affected you? How do you internalize that?

MICHAEL: It's made America face their harsh reality that nobody ever wanted to approach that, you know, racism is still alive. There's a renewed cause here in South Carolina to please remove the confederate flag that flies above the state capitol. We're saying that we're a nation that's moving forward. And you know, a lot of people are saying that, you know, it's a part of our history. But in order for us to move forward, we have to embrace our history and live for the now. You know, it's a thing of the past and, you know, it's just one of those things.

VALENCIA: Thank you very much for sharing your insights with us.

You see those here those in the community, this has really impacted them and started those conversations of dialogue. And they hope that this isn't just a one-day thing. That they hope this unity isn't just for the cameras, but that this lasts long after the media leaves. The hope here is that the dialogue is just beginning as well as the healing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Valencia in Charleston, thank you so much.

Coming up, we're expecting a news conference at any moment now on the ongoing manhunt for two escaped killers in upstate New York. The latest, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:34:20] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: Hello, everyone. Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Live pictures right now. Let's go to that press conference in Allegany, New York, on the search for two escaped killers.

MAJ. MICHAEL CERRETTO, TROOP A COMMANDER, NEW YORK STATE POLICE: Speak to the larger investigation of the state at the Clinton correctional facility or the manhunt. We have been in close contact with Major Charles Guest of troop b regarding our search here. He is leading the manhunt and investigation into the escape along with our state, federal and local partners.

Now, there has been a lot of police activity in the town of friendship over the last 24 hours and we would like to update the public on where the investigation stands at this time.

On Saturday at approximately 1:16 p.m., the state police received a call from a witness who spotted two men on a railroad line that runs along county route 20 in the town of Friendship. The description given was similar to the description of David Sweat and Richard Matt, the two men who escaped from the Clinton correctional facility on June 6th. We interviewed the witness at length and the determination was made that this investigation lead should be investigated.

Approximately 300 members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were brought in for the search. A secure perimeter was established around the area of the sighting and roadblocks were set up along route 20 in the towns of Friendship and amity, at exits 29 and 30 on i-86 where police checked vehicles.

Aviation, canine and special operations teams were called in to assist with this search which also included clearing a section of woods along railroad tracks in the town of friendship. We will continue to search this area until all leads have been exhausted. As we have in other areas of the state, we will search under every rock, behind every tree and structure until we are confident that that area is secure. While this is an unconfirmed sighting, the state police is asking residents who live in this area along the New York/Pennsylvania border to be on alert.

If these men are spotted, please call 911 immediately. Do not approach, as both are considered to be very dangerous. If anyone has any other information regarding the escape, please call 1-800-give tip. The New York state police is offering a reward of $50,000 for information that leads to the capture of either suspect, $100,000 for both. And the U.S. marshal service has also placed Sweat and Matt on the 15 most wanted fugitives list and is also offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to their capture. At this time I'll take a few questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you tell us what about this tip was credible enough to bring hundreds of law enforcement here? What specifically made it that credible?

CERRETTO: Well, she gave us a description that was in line with the two individuals that escaped from the correctional facility. Our investigators interviewed her thoroughly and we determined that she was credible and that this should be investigated.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Has there been another credible sighting on route 16 yesterday?

CERRETTO: Our investigation is still ongoing and at this time I will not get into any details in the investigation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you take it to any cemeteries around here? Did you have any sightings there?

CERRETTO: I'm not familiar with that. Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you walk us on - and why are you focusing on (INAUDIBLE).

WHITFIELD: All right. Short and sweet there from New York state police major Michael Cerretto there saying they did investigate a tip that came in roughly around 1:00, 1:16 or so eastern time yesterday from a witness who claims to have spotted two men who fit the description of Richard Matt and David Sweat. Police interviewed the witness and determined that she was credible and that justifies why so many resources were devoted to a particular area.

Let's talk now with our Sara Ganim who is live in Dannemora just outside of the Clinton correctional facility with these two escaped on June 6th, and Jonathan Gilliam joining us from New York, former Navy SEAL and also formerly with police forces as well.

All right. So I want to, Jonathan, let me go to you first because what, if anything, did you hear in that that helps justify the credibility of the eyewitness account thinking that that person spotted the two men fitting the description that could have been on the railroad track. To you first, Jonathan.

JONATHAN GILLIAM, FORMER NAVY SEAL: Well, I mean the seriousness in which they're taking this and the amount of forces that they moved there, I don't think they would have done this for just any type of information that was coming in. I think there must be some validity to this, whether they were able to verify it through video or something. But for them to -- you can see there's tips coming in all the time. They don't move this amount of forces around, so obviously there's something to this tip.

WHITFIELD: And then clearly the major also reiterating that while they would love to get the cooperation, want to get the cooperation from people who live in that area, they're also saying they need to be very careful and that these men are considered dangerous.

So to what extent, you know, are police kind of underscoring they need the cooperation from residents there but almost from a distance?

GILLIAM: Well, you know, residents are always going to be the eyes and ears out there that know more than police coming in from out of that area. You know, residents, they know what's normal and what's not normal. So their vigilance is highly, highly needed. However, they don't need people going out and actively searching for them themselves. That's where things start to go wrong.

But what I hope is happening, and I think to have honest with you, Fred, I love the fact that they're telling the public we think they may be here, there's a sighting. But what I don't agree with is why is this culture of law enforcement military gotten to the point where we've got to tell everybody everything that we're doing. I mean, in the off chance that these guys do have access to a radio or TV, now they know that there's 300 officers out there, that there's a perimeter in this location. As long as they can get around that perimeter, they know they're going to be fine. I don't agree with telling that much detail in all of this. I don't see the use in that whatsoever.

[15:40:43] WHITFIELD: All right. And Sara Ganim, you are there in Dannemora, just not far from the Clinton correctional facility where these two escaped, but we're talking about a concentrated search area that's roughly 300 miles away from there. What's the reaction in your area about what the New York state police major is saying about the concentrated efforts?

SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, I can tell you that up until Friday night that search was concentrated in this area, in a 15 or 16-mile stretch, square miles, I should say, around the prison where they escaped from. They had officers walking trails and along railroads. And just so that you guys know and viewers understand the context that led up to this, this is day 16 of a manhunt that like I said until Friday night was concentrated around this area.

But on Friday the public received word that there had been two other unconfirmed but possible sightings of these men also close to the New York/Pennsylvania border about 80 miles east of where that press conference was just moments ago.

These two towns, Irwin and Lindley, New York, both of them along railroad tracks and both of them near the border with Pennsylvania. But police, even though that sighting was supposedly last weekend, police didn't learn about it until midweek and didn't obtain surveillance video to verify whether or not it was those two escaped inmates until Friday and they're still today working on enhancing that video to determine if it was in fact those men.

But that's part of what led to this massive search yesterday because that area is not that far away from where they began to search around 4:00 yesterday afternoon. Very intense, active search in Friendship, New York. And it's along the same railroad tracks.

So there was some speculation that these men could have traveled maybe along the railroad, maybe along the highway that runs through there. We know that there's also a creek that they were very focused on for a long time. We know that from witnesses on the ground and that's what led up to this manhunt. A possible sighting last weekend about 80 miles east near the border, and then again this call yesterday afternoon that police told -- law enforcement officials told CNN was a credible possible sighting of these two men not very far away in that town of Friendship -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. And Alexandra Field, you're in Allegany County in Friendship, New York, there. So now we listened to that press conference. Not a whole lot of details were given. Just kind of affirmation that the eyewitness account seems credible after interviewing the eyewitness who claimed to see these two men on the railroad track, but we didn't hear from police there detail how they're going about the search.

So can you fill in the blanks for us, how they are searching exhaustively this area?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is sort of interesting because we're now 26 hours out from when the initial tip came into police, the one they said they believe to be credible. And yet at this point, police aren't giving a whole lot more information than what they told us a day ago. Just that this caller, this seemed to be credible and legitimate and gave a description that fit the two missing inmates.

The point of this press conference, it seems, they only entertained three questions, Fredricka. The point, the soul point of this press conference it seemed was to relay to the community at large and perhaps beyond that that the search here is continuing. They reiterated the fact that they have got 300 law enforcement officers from a number of different agencies who are on the ground here and they wanted to make it clear that they have in no way let up on this search, that they are still working these searches along the railroad, in the woods, and setting up perimeters where it is appropriate and also doing these road checks where they are searching cars that come in and out.

That is something that we have seen here as we drive around various areas, various neighborhoods, you'll see a road closure pop up. Officers will stop you, take a look in your car, maybe ask you a question about where you are going. So they certainly did want to let people know that they were still going to be out here doing that.

But I asked them just a few minutes ago if there had been another credible citing since the one at 1:16 p.m. yesterday. That's a question that they did not want to answer at this point. We've been following closely, monitoring the scanner, traffic, see what people are tweeting about what they are calling in because when a search comes to your town, Fredricka, as we have seen in so many places, a lot of people start wondering if what or who they are seeing is suspicious. They start phoning police officers.

We wanted to follow up and see if any of those phone calls have generated additional leads. Again, police not answering that question, but underscoring the point that they will continue here until they believe that this tip has been exhausted.

[15:45:29] WHITFIELD: And then, Jonathan, what did you see in the importance of this press conference, especially since, as we just all witnessed, there wasn't a whole lot of detail about how the search is being conducted. It was almost like affirmation that, yes, there was an eyewitness account. We did check it out, it does seem credible. But how important was this exercise in your view?

GILLIAM: I don't see any -- I don't see any importance in that press conference whatsoever except to just reassure the people that they're still actually searching and getting the word out to the local residents. That part is important. But overall, you know, a lot of these press conferences could be as easy as coming up and saying we think they may be in this area and everybody needs to be hyper- vigilant.

But one thing I do want to say, Fred, is that I'm still puzzled why law enforcement goes to the last known area and then searches out. When they get a tip that somebody may have been in this area, they need to have quick reaction forces that go straight there and then send the larger group to a perimeter of a distance where they could have traveled from that time that they were last seen until now. And then search in as well as search out. And I don't see that happening here.

WHITFIELD: But we don't really know, do we? Do we know whether that is something that's being done?

GILLIAM: Well, it could be, but what I'm hearing and what I'm seeing is that a lot of officers are being pushed into an area where there's a last sighting and that's where they're searching out. And I think that if they are not doing it the other way, where they're going to the last known place, deciding how far they could have gone, setting up a perimeter there and searching in, they need to start really focusing on that. That's the way we would do it when we were on surveillance and we almost always found the people we were trying to look for if we lost them.

WHITFIELD: So Sara, where you are right outside the Clinton correctional facility, there is any way in which you're able to see whether the search in that immediate area has been abandoned or simply scaled back? Are you seeing any modifications in the search right around that facility even though there are concentrated efforts 300 miles away.

GANIM: Yes. The search here absolutely has not been abandoned, Fred. In fact, they just moved the command center about five miles from the southeast because they're continuing to search along pathways, along trails, along railroads. Any route that they think someone who is walking out of town might take to get out of town, especially if you go east you can actually see that there are freight train rails and also commuter train rails that run straight down the east -- eastern part of the state and then turn and could easily be taken to go then west, which would be in the direction of where Friendship is.

So you see that the search area is sort of moving in that area but absolutely has not been abandoned. In fact as the search continues, we do see here that the investigation is also continuing and we see that in the form of updates as late as Friday night learning that a second worker from inside the prison is now being questioned for possible involvement and role in this escape, Fred.

All right, intensifying search all the way around. Thank you so much, Sara Ganim, Alexandra Field, Jonathan Gilliam. Appreciate it.

We'll have much more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:53:08] WHITFIELD: The people of Charleston's Emanuel AME church started the healing process really almost immediately after that shooting. But this morning, the church opened its doors for the first time since the horrific shooting that claimed the lives of nine people. Hundreds attended the service packing the sanctuary and then overflowing into the streets. And many felt that common sense of worship. Inside the Congress investigation, people mourned for the victims, but their lives were honored.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOFF: It has been tough. It's been rough. Some of us have been downright angry. But through it all, God has sustained us. There's a time and place for everything. And now it's a time for us to focus on the nine families.

I know I'm right. I want to say to the citizens of Charleston and visitors, thank you for being whom God has called you to be. Thank you for your flowers out front. Thank you for the cards and the emails and all the acts of kindness. And then finally, I want to say thank you to law enforcement. I got no problem in doing that. And I want to thank them. Respect gets respect.

Lot of folk expected us to do something strange and to break out in a riot. Well, they just don't know us. And we are going to hold our elected officials and others accountable to do the right thing. The blood of the mother Emanuel nine requires us to work until not only justice in this case but for those who are still living in the margin of life, those who are less fortunate than ourselves, that we stay on the battle field until there is no more fight to be fought. And for that, we say thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[15:55:55] WHITFIELD: Across the country, people felt like they were in that sanctuary of Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. Among them Reverend Gregory Eason, he is the senior pastor at St. Paul AME church right here in Atlanta joining me in studio. Good to see you.

REV. GREGORY EASON, SENIOR PASTOR, ST. PAUL AME CHURCH, ATLANTA: Good to see you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: What was that like? Didn't you feel like you were there?

EASON: Yes, I felt rejuvenated and just uplifted hearing him preach that awesome and powerful sermon. He was really letting us know that love is stronger than hate and hope is stronger than despair. It was a powerful, uplifting, and encouraging message. And I'm sure it encouraged members of Emanuel and also the faith community in Charleston and in South Carolina and around the world.

WHITFIELD: And isn't it remarkable that it didn't seem there was anything somber about today's service, the first Sunday's service in mother Emanuel after that tragedy days ago. Instead, it was uplifting. EASON: I mean, I tell you, you know, we believe as Christians that

resurrection is stronger than death. And that service was a powerful testimony of the resilience of the people at Emanuel AME church and also the people of Charleston. There was nothing sad about it. I mean, the spirit of god really truly filled that place. The worship was vibrant and they were saying in essence, we're going to get through this. I mean, as awful and horrific that crime was, the people of Emanuel and the presiding elder really showed us that, you know what, although it hurts, there's pain, there's anger, but we're going to make it through. We are resilient people.

WHITFIELD: Nine lives honored. Among them the pastor, the late pastor Clem Pinckney. You have had the honor of meeting him before. What were your impressions of him?

EASON: Outstanding young leader.

WHITFIELD: They say he was bigger than life.

EASON: He definitely is. I tell you, when I was pastoring St. Felipe AME church in Savanna, he was a young politician over in the Jasper, Buford county area in South Carolina. And he's always been a people person. He's representing the low country of South Carolina quite well in the state Senate of South Carolina and an outstanding minister in the AME church, a rising star. So we really going to miss his leadership in the South Carolina statehouse. And also in the African- American Methodist episcopal church. I'm sure Bishop Norris and presiding elder got them (ph) that people of the 7th district which becomes the South Carolina will really miss his solid leadership.

WHITFIELD: And mother Emanuel had a reputation of having those doors open, welcoming people. This is how, you know, Dylann Roof was able to easily just access, join the bible study. You remember hearing from one of the victims' family members who said, we enjoyed you, we welcomed you.

What is the discussion now at other AME churches thinking about their own vulnerabilities because like your church, you have the doors open. You want to be able to walk on people. But at the same time, now you have members of the congregation at many churches across the country who are saying, how do we have that and still assure safety.

EASON: Well, Fredricka, we have to balance radical hospitality on the one hand. We want an environment that is inviting, caring, receiving and welcoming. But on the other hand, you know, we don't want to put our members at risk. So we have to walk that tight rope between radical hospitality. And also providing security.

The church doors of the AME church is open. We are an open and welcoming community. But at the same time -- so we have to walk that tight rope between having that environment that (INAUDIBLE) hospitality and at the same time making sure our members are safe.

WHITFIELD: Rev. Gregory Eason, thank you so much.

EASON: Fredricka, I appreciate you having me. WHITFIELD: And happy father's day.

EASON: Thank you. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: Thank you.

All right, we will be right back. The next hour of the NEWSROOM starts now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: Hell, again, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Several new developments in the search for those two escaped murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat who had been on the run for 16 days. The reward is now up to $150,000.