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San Bernardino, California Shooting Rampage; U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch Addresses Shooting. Aired 14:30-15p ET

Aired December 03, 2015 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

PETE BLAIR: - - Unusual. We have had seen some female active shooters in the past. It's a very small percentage, less than 5 percent of the shooters we have seen. The dropping the kid off at the relatives house, I've never seen that happen before.

It would suggest to me that they felt they weren't coming back.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: When you hear some of the details from the police chief. San Bernardino today, talking about the thousands of rounds of ammunitions they had. The tactical vests. The Pipe bombs that were found. The black powder. The hundreds of tools at the home that could be used to build IED's. The potential radicalization.

What sort of picture is that painting for you?

BLAIR: For me that paints a very pre-meditated attack. It looks like a terrorist related event. From the radicalization they are talking about now.

While people were talking about there may have been some kind of incident at the actual party beforehand. It's clear they were planning some type of event for some period of time, in order to have a bomb making factory and acquired all the equipment they had with them.

BALDWIN: And still, even though perhaps one of their associates was being investigated by the FBI, related to terrorism. These two, they were not on one radar.

BLAIR: There are a lot of potential suspects to track. I know the data is with the FBI right now. I don't know exactly how they didn't pick this one up. Or if they did have them in some other capacity, on the radar in some way. There are a lot of people to track right now.

BALDWIN: What about police? I mean it's incredible how quickly they converged upon the scene yesterday. Multiple jurisdictions. Local, state, federal working together. I know that more than 70,000 law enforcement professionals have been trained through your active shooter response program. Colombine, you say, really changed the way these situations have been handled.

What's so key, Pete, for officers, when they come upon a situation like in San Bernardino? BLAIR: The first phase is always to stop the killing. The officers need to make sure that there's not continuing gunfire going on. That more people aren't being injured and killed

The first priority is for the officers to get to the building, get into the building, find the shooter, deal with the shooter if the shooters still there.

After the shooters taken care of, or they've done an initial look for the shooter, they don't find anyone. The next part of the operation is what we refer to as stop the dying. There are people who have been wounded. They need medical care. So we need to get that medical care to them as quickly as we can. That involves both police officers providing care directly themselves and then also them providing security to allow EMS and fire units to come in and provide higher level of car than the officers can provide.

Then ultimately trying to transport the patients out as quickly as possible.

BALDWIN: With all the mass shootings and the police response and everything that you know about. I'm sure you teach about there in Texas. What - - What - - If you could change something to help prevent these mass shootings, what would it be?

BLAIR: There are two things that I think are important. The first is that we very rarely see that these events are spontaneous. They tend to be the result of a long downward slide. We have somebody who's angered by something. They become angrier and angrier. They're not able to release that anger through normal methods. They start this downward spiral. They start to plan the attack and then they launch an attack.

Often times like in this last case they attack places that they are connected to in some way, shape or form. Whether they're an employee, a student or that sort of thing.

That suggest that an alert workplace, an alert school, could potentially detect this person early on, in a downward spiral. And intervene before it gets to the point of the attack.

Obviously a prevented attack is better than one that occurs anyway.

The second thing is we know that a fair number of these shooters are motivated by the desire for fame, or infamy, notoriety. That sort of thing.

When we cover these stories, and we focus on these shooters and we put their whole life history up there. We talk about their backgrounds and their histories.

Often times we give them exactly what they want. We then encourage people to do is, to not focus on the shooters. Focus on the hero's, focus on the victims, the community. Things the community can do to protect themselves. So that you're not rewarding the shooter for their bad behavior. BALDWIN: Understand. Listen, I have sat in this chair way too many

times having to cover these stories as they happen to break during these 2 hours. I hear you loud and clear and I agree with you on focusing on the heroes and the victims as well.

Pete Blair, thank you so much for you time. I do appreciate it.

Just quickly here, let me toss to this. We just now have heard from the U.S. Attorney General, Loretta Lynch addressing the shooting in California. She was speaking just moments ago. Here she was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LORETTA LYNCH, ATTORNEY GENERAL: I know that you, like all of us have primarily the horrific events of San Bernardino at the top of your mind. Let me take a minute before we begin todays announcement to address that shooting briefly.

[14:35:05]

As has been stated earlier today the FBI is now taken a leadership roll in that investigation. Working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, who have been truly, truly outstanding partners in this enterprise. As well as working with the ATF and the U.S. Marshall service.

As this investigation unfolds we intend to provide any and all assistance necessary. To local authorities and most importantly to the people of San Bernardino. Who have been so profoundly effected by this unspeakable crime.

As I stated earlier this morning, I know that I stand with all Americans when I say that my thoughts and prayers, and those of my colleagues at every level of the department of justice, are with the families and loved ones of the victims. And with the brave public safety officials who put themselves in harms way to save others.

Now, moving on to today's announcements.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Talking here now of course, what's happened in San Bernardino. That was Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Coming up next we'll take you back to San Bernardino, California.

My colleague Poppy Harlow, who will be speaking to a member of the House Homeland Security Commiteet, California. We'll talk to her next.

Live - - I'm being told now, live pictures of the suspects town home here. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN REPORTER: Reporting from San Bernardino along with my friend Brooke Baldwin. You're looking at live helicopter shots, ariel views. Very clear

picture here of what is believed to be the suspects home. About 10 miles from here, in Redlands, California.

It appears those FBI agents are moving items from the garage of this town home. You'll remember that is where the case ensued last night. In the Black SUV resulting in the shoot-out and the death of those two suspects, that apparently lived in this home.

Again, what they are removing from the garage, we just simply don't know at this time. We are expecting a police press conference a little bit later today. We should find out a lot more then.

I'm standing at the scene of yesterdays horrific massacre at the sight of the Inland Regional Center. 14 people were killed. We now know the number of injured has risen to 21. Some of them still hospitalized. Some in critical condition.

The two suspected shooters, they were husband and wife. They were killed by police in a massive shoot-out.

The wife, we now know, is from Pakistan. Her husband, who worked for San Bernardino county, was a resident and city employee here. Was born in the United States, born in Illinois.

Today, CNN has learned, authorities say that it appears that the husband, 28 year old Saheed Reswan Farook had been radicalized somewhere, somehow. What we don't know, for certain, if that radicalization contributed to the deadly attack that unfolded here on Wednesday morning.

Joining me now to talk a lot more about that is California congress woman, Loretta Sanchez. She is a democrat, she's running for the senate, she's a senior member on the House Homeland Security and Arms Services Committee. Thank you very much for being here.

LORETTA SANCHEZ, (D); Thank you Poppy.

HARLOW: I think you offer such an important perspective, because you're constituents make up the second largest Arab and Muslim population in the United States. In Orange County, behind Dearborn, Michigan.

You have seen what you call and increase in Islamaphobia.

SANCHEZ: Yes, well certainly. Especially since the attacks in Paris. We have seen a real hesitancy by Orange County, California, to go about their business.

Realize the majority of these people, they want to be here in America. They are American citizens. Their children are born here. They have actually worked with us to ferret out people who would do us harm.

HARLOW: Bring bad factors to you.

SANCHEZ: Yes. That might be in the community. Of course, today their hearts are incredibly heavy. The way that their going to be painted once again, because of this. We're scared. Americans have seen this over and over again. Especially if this has to do with radicalization.

HARLOW: I almost can't believe I'm standing here - -

SANCHEZ: San Bernardino.

HARLOW: Less than two weeks after I was just in Paris, covering another horrific deadly attack. Also, when you look at this situation, I'm wondering what intelligence you can share with us. Because law enforcement sources have told our Evan Perez and our Pamela Brown, that they - - That Farook was radicalized.

We don't know what extent and frankly we don't know where. We know he travelled to Saudi Arabia for the hodge in 2013. Many practicing Muslims do that.

From an intelligence perspective, do you know anything more about his radicalization?

SANCHEZ: Those things I know, I wouldn't be able to put out into the news at this point.

HARLOW: You have to learn more?

SANCHEZ: I will tell you that, that it seems to me - - Again there's a lot of speculation going on. That's one of the reason why we just saw the live feed of our officers going into the home and taking out the information. Taking out what they've got. Taking and seeing what actually is there. The forensic footprint if you will.

As well as what was going on by email, by text, ect. On the device of these two people. More information known, but certainly none we are sharing at this point. Because, at least the way I look at it. It looks to me to be an incident where if all of this was going on at that home. If it was stockpiling. If he had been radicalized, which I can't say yay or nay to that.

This was not most likely, the trigger of what they were going to do.

[14:45:00]

BALDWIN: It sounds like our signal there with congresswoman Sanchez and Poppy Harlow went out. We'll work on getting them back up.

Again, let me just show you what we're all looking at. This is from a chopper. From our L.A. KABC. I can't tell, it looks almost like a garage doesn't it? This is some sort of - - This is the town home or perhaps even a storage unit that was adjacent to the home. Where those two shooting suspects - - Let's just be precise. We don't even know if they actually lived there.

This is where they found thousands of rounds of ammunition. According to the San Bernardino police chief. Their names were on the rental agreement. Now, pictures of, perhaps one of their cars? Looks to me like those

are FBI, FBI agents there on the ground. Taking a closer look at the car.

You know their looking at the digital imprints. They're looking at their stealth - - not cellphones but computers ect.. Trying to figure out the answer to the question why?

Want to really make sure we're focusing today on the victims of this tragedy. And the terrifying first hand accounts as witnesses describe the chaos, the utter horror of the scene there as it happened.

More on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: 24 hours later in San Bernardino. Yes, it's still an active crime scene. Officials have been working to remove the bodies of those killed, from that facility.

We heard from the police chief earlier today, saying again, they hope to release the names of the 14 victims at some point today.

Also, during the earlier afternoon news conference, the police chief raised the number of injured from 17 to 21. That number, 10 are still in the hospital. Keep in mind 2 are police officers themselves.

Dan Simon is standing outside of the arrowhead regional medical center in nearby Colton, California. Some of the injured, we know, are being treated.

Lets not forget, Sanjay was mentioning yesterday, it was that hospital that was actually on lockdown at some point in time.

Lets begin with the survivors Dan, how are they?

DAN SIMON, CNN REPORTER: Brooke we just received some positive news from the hospital about the victims who are here. Of the five victims who are at this particular hospital. All five of them are in stable condition.

That's pretty remarkable when you consider what some of these victims had to go through.

I want to tell you about one of them. He's 24 year old Kevin Ortiz. His family doesn't us using his photo. They're ok with us talking about his condition and his ordeal.

Kevin works as an environmentalist for the county. He was at that group function. He was shot several times. I have to tell you, he is doing extremely well considering taking all of these gunshots.

I want you to listen now to his aunt how explains in pretty vivid detail, what he had to endure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROSE ORTIZ, VICTIMS AUNT: He was sitting down with several of his co- workers. There was a break and several people stepped out into the hallway. He heard gunfire, but wasn't sure if it was gunfire. He assumed it was a drill of some kind.

The doors opened and he saw two masked people dressed in black. He still thought it was a drill. He felt his first shot on his leg. But, he said he felt more like, like if someone just threw something at him. It wasn't really sharp pain immediately, until a few seconds later.

Then he ended up sustaining another shot on the shoulder. His reaction there, this is real. Let me get under the table. He got under the table and according to Kevin, the gunman came back and shot him again.

UNKNOWN SPEAKER: How many times was he shot?

ORTIZ: Five times.

UKNOWN SPEAKER: He was shot five times?

ORTIZ: Five times.

UNKNOWN SPEAKER: Did he think he was going to die?

ORTIZ: Absolutely. That was one of his thoughts that he shared with us. He was able to make two phone calls. One to his wife and one to his father. To both of them, he said he had been shot but he was going to be okay. And that he loved them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON: Brooke, we've heard other stories like that. People who in the midst of being shot, grabbed their cellphones and called family members with what they thought were going to be goodbye messages.

It's going to be a very difficult time over the next several days. Obviously your going to have many surgeries, but hopefully there will be many recoveries. Brooke.

BALDWIN: The lives lost heading into the holiday season. Feeling for the family members there in San Bernardino. Dan Simon, thank you so much for the update there from that medical center.

Coming up next, the President of the United States addressing yet another mass shooting. An address he has had to make far too many times. We'll have that for you.

Also ahead, we are learning today about the possible radicalization of the shooter. As investigators are digging and sorting through his home.

Stay with me, you're watching CNN Special live coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: Yesterday, a tragedy occurred in San Bernardino. As I said in the immediate aftermath. Our first order of business is to send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have been killed.

BALDWIN: That was the President speaking earlier today, reacting to this mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. This is obviously been all too familiar for President Obama. He has made at least twelve of these sorts of speeches over the course of his presidency. Here's a look back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: We have a pattern now of mass shootings in this country that has no parallel anywhere else in the world. There are some steps we could take. Not to eliminate everyone of these mass shootings. But, to improve the odds that they don't happen.

I've had to make statements like this too many times. Communities have had to endure tragedies like this too many times.

We come together filled with sorrow for the 13 Americans that we have lost. With gratitude for the lives that they led. With a determination to honor them through the work, we carry on.

[15:05:05]

I have come here tonight as an American. Who like all Americans, to pray with you today. And will stand by you tomorrow.

The federal government stands ready to do whatever necessary to bring whoever's responsible for this heinous crime, to justice.

All of us our heartbroken by what's happened. I offered the thoughts an prayers of no only myself and Michelle. But, also for the country as a whole.

Each time I learn the news I react, not as a President, but as anybody else would. As a parent. In the hard days to come that community needs us to be at our best as Americans. I will do - -