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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
WDBJ'S 1st Morning News After 2 Killed; Gunman's Suicide Note Details His Motive; Will Biden Run?; Clinton Takes "Responsibility" For Email Use; Trump Ends Feud with FOX News; Stocks Climbing Around the World; Sports Tributes for Virginia Shooting Victims. Aired 5- 5:30a ET
Aired August 27, 2015 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Very difficult day to say the least for the whole crew there. I mean, not only did they lose their colleagues, these were their friends and they have to go on TV today, the day after this happens and be professional about it.
[05:00:04] MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And to see the reaction when it actually happened live on air and the confusion that their anchor there had and then as his developed throughout the morning was shocking. The station, and everybody who worked, has responded so well.
KOSIK: And, of course, they are getting ready to go on live TV to start their morning broadcast. A lot like how we have.
We don't have the heavy hearts that they have, though, because these are people they knew for a long time, friends and colleagues. They watched this happened right on their TV screen.
MARQUEZ: And fellow journalists, as we all have been, we want to see how they handle this first show. I believe it has just begun.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've had a lot of help from many of our journalism colleagues, that includes Steve Grant to my right, who's an anchor at our sister station KY3 in Springfield, Missouri. Thank you so much for being with us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Jen. And I bring with me the best prayers and best wishes of all of the folks of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas to the WDBJ 7 and Roanoke area. Our hearts are broken with the viewers. We are here to do everything we can to help you get through this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need everyone's help and love and support.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. This morning, law enforcement officials across the state are continuing to piece together the information about what happened. It started all on the air as a story about the 50th anniversary of Smith Mountain Lake.
Police say Vester Flanagan was the shooter. He is a former WDBJ reporter who went by Bryce Williams on the air. The Franklin County sheriff's office says he left the lake area before police arrived. Investigators discovered he rented a car and headed north on Highway 81.
A license plate reader on the Virginia state police car spotted the vehicle. He led troopers on a chase and then ran off the road in the median. When officers walked to the car, they discovered that Flanagan had shot himself. He was dead at the hospital yesterday afternoon.
Flanagan was fired from WDBJ in 2013.
Jeff Marks, Channel 7's president and general manager has described him as an unhappy man and difficult to work with. Flanagan sent a long rambling manifesto to ABC News headquarters that mentioned racial and gay bias and mass killings. ABC says in the document, he described himself as a powder keg ready to go boom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Many of you are helping us honor Alison and Adam just by gathering support. Dozens gathered at our station last night for a prayer vigil. That vigil was organized by the community church in Salem. People there say they never thought anything like this could happen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I could not believe it. I cannot believe it. We are all -- our world is changing a lot. It saddens me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's tragic. I don't really know what else. I know that I want to do something. I want to help. I just sometimes -- you don't know what to do. So you pray. You are there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The community church plans to hold a prayer service for Alison and Adam on Sunday at 11:00.
Church members also gather to pray at the Westlake Town Center last night. A small crowd lit candles and sang songs like "Amazing Grace", while they remember the victims of yesterday's shooting. Candles were placed on the parking lot grounds in the shape of a heart and people read prayers aloud.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The reality is that we live in a broken world. People who are going to do things that are bad and wrong and it hits home knowing that will happen, but not expecting it to happen in your back yard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: More people gathered last night to pray for Vicki Gardner, the woman who survived that deadly shooting. The pastor at Bethlehem United Methodist Church said Gardner's friends attend this church. Pastor David Lord (ph), and Gardner's friends wanted to open their faith to everyone. About 50 people sang, offered and they lit candles to show support for Gardner and our very own Alison Parker and Adam Ward.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm quoted from the gospel where Jesus was on the lake of Galilee and a storm arose and he calmed the storm and how in the midst of a loss like this, we feel we are in the storm and Jesus says peace be still and be calm in the midst of the difficulty that we're experiencing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gardner is a parishioner at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta. We're told this morning's regular mass at 11:00 will be focused on her.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And a vigil is planned at the White House this morning starting at 11:30. Prayer warriors and representatives of the pray at the pump movement plan to lead prayer groups for D.C. tourists. You can also sign a card that the group plans to send to the station.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got condolences in all forms of flowers and notes and Facebook messages and social media. People are offering thoughts and prayers. We are going to turnover to meteorologist Leo Hurstwerner (ph) for a few moments and check on today's weather.
[05:05:04] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't even know how to do weather on a day like this. Every morning --
KOSIK: OK, you have been watching CNN affiliate WDBJ. This has been pretty hard on them. This is the first morning back on the air after two journalists who worked at that station were shot and killed on live TV yesterday by a former employee of the station.
Alison Parker's grieving father paying tribute to his daughter last night fittingly with his TV appearance where he praised her finest qualities and conveyed a passionate message about gun regulations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY PARKER, FATHER OF ALISON PARKER: She lived a great life. She excelled at everything she did. She loved what she did. She loved the people she worked with. She was happy with her place in life.
So, you know, we can only take some solace in the fact she had a wonderful life, she was extremely and she loved this guy with all her heart. And that's the toughest thing for me, that she -- everybody that she touched loved her and she loved everybody back.
And, you know, I'm not going to let this issue drop. This is, you know, we've got to do something about crazy people getting guns.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MARQUEZ: This is so hard to watch him struggle to get through that.
The gunman's family in northern California seeking privacy this morning but also expressing condolences for the victim's families. Their statement read by a family friend who went to high school with the shooter. She calls the shooting, quote, "a shock to everybody."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMBER BOWMAN, FRIEND OF VESTER FLANAGAN'S FAMILY: It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness we express our deepest condolences of the families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. We are praying for the recovery of Vicki Gardner. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and with WDBJ television station family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: President Obama calls the shooting of the two Virginia journalists heartbreaking. He is challenging lawmakers to end the bottleneck on gun control, insisting Americans need to keep the pressure on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What we know is the number of people who die from gun-related incidents around this country dwarfs any deaths that happened through terrorism. We are willing to spend trillions of dollars to prevent terrorist activities, but we haven't been willing, so far at least, to impose some common sense gun safety measures that could save some lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now, the tragedy in Roanoke is also igniting the gun debate on the campaign trail. Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton calling on Congress to come up with legislation that tightens restrictions on guns without infringing on the constitutional rights of Americans.
But Republican candidate Marco Rubio claims there is no need for it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), FLORIDA: First of all, it's not just crazy people. It's the violent people. It's not the guns. It's the people that are doing this. And so, here's the problem that I have.
(APPLAUSE)
RUBIO: First of all, the Second Amendment is in the Constitution. I didn't write the Constitution, but I support it. And I think the Second Amendment is an important part of the Constitution that needs to be adhered to.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There is so much evidence that if guns were not so readily available, if we had universal background checks, maybe we could prevent this kind of carnage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now, most of the Republican candidates tweeted condolences to those who knew and loved Alison and Adam without commenting on gun control.
KOSIK: And we will continue to have the latest on the story all morning long.
But, first, Vice President Joe Biden opening up about the possibility he could run for president, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:12:05] KOSIK: Vice President Joe Biden has been talking to key Democrats about a possible 2016 run for the presidency. On Tuesday, he addressed the issue with members of the DNC.
Meantime, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton, is weighing on a potential Biden candidacy.
We get more from CNN's Joe Johns in Iowa.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Alison and Miguel, Vice President Biden giving members of the Democratic National Committee just a glimpse of his deliberations on whether he will run for president. On a conference call to members of the committee to try to convince to get behind the Iran nuclear deal, the question and answer period quickly turned to politics, with Biden telling members of the committee that before he decides to run, he has to conclude that he can put his heart and soul into a race.
JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If I were to announce to run, I have to be able to commit to all of you that I would be able to give it my whole heart and my whole soul. And right now, both are pretty well banged up and we are trying to figure out that issue.
JOHNS: Meanwhile, at a campaign even here in Iowa, Hillary Clinton responding to all the buzz about Joe Biden with some deeply personal remarks, referencing the fact that the Biden family is going through the grief process after the death of Beau Biden in May.
CLINTON: I want him to reach whatever the right decision is. And he has to do that. And it has to be a really, really hard one.
And I was at his son's funeral. I mean, I cannot even imagine the grief and the heartbreak.
I mean, Joe has had more terrible events than most people can even, you know, contemplate, losing his first wife, losing his first daughter. Now, losing his son. I think everybody should -- he has to do what he has to do. But I'm
just going to continue with my campaign. I'm going to do what I believe I should do. And he will have to decide what he should be doing.
JOHNS: Sources have said the vice president is likely to make his decision in the coming weeks in the run up to the first Democratic debate -- Miguel and Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Hillary Clinton admits she understands why people question her use of the private e-mail server when she was secretary of state and says she is taking responsibility for a decision that, quote, "wasn't the best choice." Clinton says she is confident she never received classified e-mails on her private account, but acknowledges she should have used government servers for official business.
Donald Trump ending one feud, while escalating another. The Republican frontrunner no longer has a beef with FOX News after chatting with the head of the network, Roger Ailes.
[05:15:00] Trump is suggesting he'll even stop tweeting negative comments about anchor Megyn Kelly.
But he is not backing down from Univision's Jorge Ramos. Trump had Ramos physically removed from a news conference Wednesday. He insists the well-respected anchor was, quote, "ranting and raving like a mad man and looking for a confrontation."
That's not how Ramos sees it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JORGE RAMOS, UNIVISION ANCHOR: There are questions that need to be answered. And the problem is he is not used to be questioned. He doesn't like uncomfortable questions. It happened with you. It happened with your colleagues at FOX News. He hates it when he is being confronted. And we have to ask those questions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Ramos says he believes Trump is "selling hate".
KOSIK: Time for an early start on your money.
So far, it's looking like a great morning for stocks. Asian shares are up. Look at Shanghai's benchmark index. It's up 5.3 percent today, that's after it tumbled 15 percent earlier this week, and sending global markets into panic mode. European shares are also much higher.
Here in the U.S., stock futures are climbing. We could see another rebound continue today. Yesterday, we watched the Dow climbed 619 points. That was its third biggest point gain ever. The rally snapped a 6-day selling streak driven by serious concerns about China's growth.
The gains, though, were broad based which is a good sign with tech companies leading the way. We saw Google and Netflix and Amazon soaring around 8 percent.
MARQUEZ: Now, it is an uphill battle that crews are fighting hard to stop wildfires raging in Washington state, including the biggest ever recorded there. The Okanogan Fire Complex has grown nearly 450 square mile. Officials say at least 80 homes and other structures have been destroyed. The fire is just 17 percent contained.
KOSIK: Help from the weather cannot come soon enough for firefighters in the northwest. For the latest on that, let's bring in meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.
PEDRAM JAVAHERIK, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Alison. Good morning, Miguel.
Yes, we have some changes in the forecast for the northwestern side of the country as multiple impulses of energy dropped off the western coast, bringing in pretty heavy rainfall for this time of year. In fact, some of the best bet for rainfall in parts of the western side of the country, especially in northern and western Washington, 2 to 4 inches. Working to western Oregon with 1 to 2 inches with tremendous fire, the rainfall will be on the lesser side, less than 1 inch. Better than recent weeks.
How about the nice conditions across the Midwest today. High pressure large and in charge will call for generally clear skies, temps on the mild to cool side. Thunderstorms abound round the southeast. Mostly sunny skies in the Deep South as well.
But we are watching tropical storm Erika in the Leeward Island. The storm system brings in pretty heavy rainfall toward this region in the next couple of days. Eventually as we head into Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the models in the last couple hours are better alignment for the eastern side of Florida. Could get to category one. If it impacts the U.S., it would be the first hurricane to make landfall since Arthur back in 2014. So, a bit of a hurricane drought for the country.
You look at highs today, pretty warm. From San Francisco in the 80s, to New York about 82 degrees -- guys.
KOSIK: The sports world paying tribute to the two journalists gunned down in Roanoke, Virginia. Coy Wire has the details in the bleacher report next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KOSIK: And as tributes to the WDBJ shooting victims pour in, the sports world is taking time to honor the victims as well.
MARQUEZ: Coy Wire has more in the morning's bleacher report.
Coy, a tough morning all around. COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Absolutely. Good morning to you both.
The Washington Nationals and Salem Red Sox are two of the teams who honored the victims of the Virginia shooting and they did so by using tributes at their games last night. Fans and players at the Nationals game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: During this difficult time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: Now, fans and players at the national as game rose to their feet honored both Alison Parker and Adam Ward with that moment of silence and reflection.
Now, the Salem Red Sox, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, painted a blue ribbon and number 7 on the field. That's the number of the TV station for whom the victims work. Prayers continue for the victims and their families.
In NFL news, a grand jury has charged 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks with misdemeanor, sexual battery. The woman claims she was groped by Brooks after a party at the home of former 49er Ray McDonald. If convicted, he will face up to six months in jail. His future remains uncertain. As the team's GM says, Brooks will not participate in Saturday's game.
Now, the grand jury also indicted Ray McDonald of raping of same woman at the same party. Reports say that McDonald was arrested at some point on Wednesday and he posted. McDonald, who is not on currently an NFL team, is facing up to eight years in prison.
On to the track where the battle for the world's fastest man continues today. Sprinter Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin will face off again this time in the 200-meter finals at the world championship. Bolt was bolting yesterday in the semifinals. You can tell you he is ready to show it off.
In the next heat, Gatlin posted a time of 19.87 seconds, which is the third fastest time of the year. Pretty impressive, especially seeing that he's actually slowed down before the finish. Now, just a few days ago, Bolt edged Gatlin out in 100 meters but just 1/100 of a second. Today's race could be as close.
Now, on to some fun finish here. The football players at SMU had a little fun with the special guest yesterday. Former President George W. Bush stopped by to spend time with the guys. He joked around and laughed at the play card that featured his picture. Bush gave the team a little presidential pep talk. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT: We're going to look forward to seeing you play. Looks like a fairly tough schedule to open up. You can kick their (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Have fun doing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: Guys, SMU said in the tweet, "When the first fan speaks, you listen."
[05:25:00] Now, the team opens up with Baylor. They are ranked number four in the country. We will see if they can indeed do what the president thinks they can do.
KOSIK: What were they beeping out?
MARQUEZ: I want to know what the beep was, Coy.
(LAUGHTER)
WIRE: I'll go back and do some lip reading for you, guys.
MARQUEZ: Thank you very much, Coy. Have a good morning.
WIRE: You, too. Thank you.
KOSIK: Back to this top story that we've been reporting all morning. Two journalists murdered live on TV. New information about the gunman as the community mourns the lives lost.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARQUEZ: Murdered on live television. New information this morning about the gunman who killed two young journalists. The note he left behind, a community in morning, and the renewed debate of gun control.
Welcome back to somber EARLY START. I'm Miguel Marquez.
KOSIK: And I'm Alison Kosik. It is half 5:00 right now in East Coast.
We are getting new information this morning about the motives driving the gunman who killed two Virginia TV journalists and seriously wounding the woman that they were interviewing live, right on TV. After the shooting, Vester Lee Flanagan, he faxed a 23-page suicide note to ABC News under the name "Bryce Williams". That was the name he used on air as a TV reporter, including at that station until he was fired.
Now, in this note, he details a long list of grievances and expresses admiration for the Virginia tech and Columbine shooter.
Flanigan, an African-American, also points to the Charleston church massacre as a spark for his crime. In this note, he writes, "The church shooting was the tipping point, but my anger has been building steadily. I have been a human powder keg for a while just waiting to go boom."
