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14 Killed in San Bernardino, California Mass Shooting. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired December 03, 2015 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Dan Simon, you are outside one of the medical centers treating some of those who were injured. What's an update on those survivors there?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Brooke. Of the five people brought to this particular hospital, all five are in stable condition. And that is remarkable when you consider what some of them had to go through. One of the victims who is being treated here is 24-year-old Kevin Ortiz. He works as an environmentalist for the county. He was in the bang wet hall and this is how his aunt described what he had to go through.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROSA ORTIZ, NEPHEW SHOT: The doors open and he saw two masked people dressed in black. And he still thought it was a drill. He felt his first shot on his leg, but he said it felt more like someone just threw something at him. It wasn't really sharp pain immediately until a few seconds later. And then he ended up sustaining another shot on his shoulder. So his reaction then this is real. Let me get under the table. So he got under the table. And according to Kevin, the gunman came back and shot him again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON: And Kevin was able to pick up his cell phone, call his relatives and say that he loved them. He was actually calling to say good-bye. And we have heard other stories like that. People who thought they were going to die and reached for their cell phones and called loved ones.

Brooke, this isn't, of course, the only hospital with victims. You have five more at (INAUDIBLE) university medical center. Two there in critical condition and three in fair condition. Thankfully all of the victims who at least were taken to various hospitals are going to survive -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: That's excellent news. Dan, thank you for the update.

But now to the more grim side of the story here with Boris Sanchez. As we have been reporting on this number 14, 14 people murdered this time yesterday. We now have an image of one of the victims.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. We have been able to confirm this moments ago. One of the deceased is Nicholas Thalasinos. He is an older man. And found what appears to be his Facebook profile. There he is. A family member telling CNN affiliate that he worked for the department of health. From his Facebook page, we can tell you that he was very religious. There were several bible quotes on his Facebook page as well as notes of condolence from friends and loved ones. We know that he has two sons. They are right now apparently too distraught to speak to the media.

Part of the reason it's been hard to get more of the names of the deceased is because officials revealed that during the shooting a sprinkler went off and it flooded a room that people were inside. It took so much time for the room to be drained out for the sprinkler system to be shut off in that phase that IED was discovered so the bomb squad was sent in. Bomb squad technicians took a long time to clear the campus not allowing crime scene investigators to get in, identify the bodies and then contact the families of the deceased.

So we are still waiting, as you said, to get full confirmation from police. I can tell you that we have several names that have been passed along by family members and friends. However, out of respect to their families because we don't have confirmation that all the family has been notified, we're not releasing those names.

BALDWIN: We want to be so, so cautious. Do we know, I know the police just chief said that they are hoping to release most of the names at some point today, have all the bodies been removed?

SANCHEZ: We are not exactly sure. It appears that because of the delay in actually getting the coroner and the crime scene investigators in there to detail everything that they have to detail, it's not clear exactly what phase that's in. But we did hear from officials earlier this afternoon that hopefully by 5:00 p.m. pacific time today we'll be able to release at least some of those names.

BALDWIN: And some of those stories of those lives lost will be told in the coming days. I'm sure.

Boris Sanchez, thank you so much.

Next here, we will take you back live to where the shooting occurred just about 24 hours ago, the Inland regional center where they were just helping people in the community, folks with disabilities doing the right thing. We're getting new information here about the victims, as Boris has just reporting, and the investigation, very active investigation here. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:33:33] BALDWIN: I want to take you back to San Bernardino, California, as we're getting all kinds of new information here from the police chief who has really just been incredible, you know. He was talking a little bit about the shooters, these killers from the massacre that happened within that facility in San Bernardino yesterday. This facility that is gored to help those with special needs and disabilities.

Twenty one people injured, 14 killed. And we now have, according to some sources from some of justice correspondent here at CNN, confirming that this 28-year-old male, this husband and wife duo may have been radicalized. Investigators say that he had traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2013. That is apparently when he met his 27-year-old wife. The couple died in this hail of police gunfire after leading officers on this pursuit just hours after they opened fire on this holiday party at this facility in San Bernardino. Inside of their California townhouse, authorities found multiple pipe bombs and materials that would be used to build bombs and IEDs and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suspect when they entered fired somewhere between 65 and 75 rounds from their rifles at the scene. We did locate the one pipe bomb that was actually three pipe bombs combined into one that had a remote control car, type remote control device that appears to have not have worked in this it case. There were also four high capacity 223 rifle magazines that were dropped by the suspects and left in there as evidence that had been recovered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[15:40:10] BALDWIN: Let's go straight now back to San Bernardino, back to my colleague Poppy Harlow.

And Poppy, let's just begin with - I know you're near right now where the shooting happened, but you have been at these killer's home where they have we have this, you know, phenomenal aerial footage now of, you know, FBI walking through the townhouse and looking at their cars. Tell me what's happening right now?

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I mean, it's remarkable to think this is in a neighborhood that community members were telling me last night. It is just a community that's very tightly knit of young professionals and their families. I was there until the middle of the night last night. And you had literally military-grade vehicles that were in front of this house searching it because apparently this is where they planned and plotted what the law enforcement sources tell us is premeditated attack as police chief said today, Brooke. You don't just go to a holiday party, get upset and do this. Talking about 12 different pipe bombs. Talking about a homemade bomb lab potentially in the town.

You see the FBI right now. They are doing this as we speak, going into that garage, pulling items out. The president saying today, the FBI is taking the lead on this.

What have they found? We don't know specifics of what has been found in the house. We should know a little later today when they have that next press conference. And you know, Brooke, last night when I was there, they were not sending officers inside. They were sending robot inside to see if there were any explosive devices that they could then execute a controlled detonation on.

BALDWIN: Then, in addition to what they are looking for in this townhouse, we heard from the police chief today detailing the thousands of rounds of ammunition that they had in their car. And not only that, the tactical vests. It was a tactical vest as some people thought they were wearing, tactical vest where you can put, you know, more magazines and more guns.

HARLOW: Yes. This is someone at 28 years old who every single person who knew him, who spoke of him publically yet says they are shocked. Never thought anything like this. This is someone, Brooke, who we have learned Syed Farook had zero criminal record. Bought all four of those guns legally over the past three or four years, was with not on the radar of authorities at all.

The only potential tip is what we're hearing now from law enforcement to our Evan Perez and Pamela Brown that there was some radicalization that he was in touch over social media and the phone a few months ago with people with terrorist ties. But they are calling those soft connections. Not high target terrorist individuals overseas. It is scary, but it is the reality that this is someone who flew completely under the radar, no sign whatsoever, carries this out, attacks, kills 14 and had potentially other attacks on the way.

BALDWIN: Yes. To just be clear, you know, some folks are jumping to conclusions and you can see why in some of these when you were looking at some of the details here. But FBI saying, you know, not sure yet haven't concluded if it was workplace violence or terrorism.

Poppy Harlow, in San Bernardino, thank you so much.

Next, the president calling for gun reform, again, in the aftermath of this shooting. Republicans are saying that is not the answer. A closer look at the political rhetoric that has been flying today and the controversy raging on social media.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't believe we can stop every incident of gun violence, but we sure can stop a lot of them. And we need to take action now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:48:07] BALDWIN: From southern California to our nation's capital, the country is reeling from the bloody massacre that happened right around this time yesterday in San Bernardino. President Obama responded with calls for stricter gun laws.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think that as the investigation moves forward, it's going to be important for all of us, including our legislatures, to see what we can do to make sure that when individuals decide they want to do somebody harm, we're making a little harder for them to do it because right now, it's just too easy.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: We had a bunch of candidates weighing in on the democratic side.

You have Hillary Clinton tweeting, I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now.

Senator Bernie Sanders with this, mash shootings are becoming an almost everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.

Republicans speaking out as well, although offering a difference response. Here is an example.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't believe that gun control is going to fix this. I don't think that is the answer. I think people want to be able to defend themselves. And you can have gun control that people who are intent on doing harm are going to figure out a way to get their weapons.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's not a gun control issue. This is not about gun control if you think that the shooting in California is about gun control, then you don't understand what's going on in the world.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our prayers with the family of those who were shot and murdered. And all of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism here at home.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Of course our thoughts and prayers are with those that have been impacted by the attacks in California last night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So the Democrats, the Republicans and then there was this. This is Connecticut senator Chris Murphy who pushed for gun control after Sandy Hook massacre killing all those elementary school children and some adults couple of Decembers ago. And he tweeted, your thoughts should be about steps to take -- or to stop this carnage. Your prayers, in quotes, should be for forgiveness if you do nothing again.

There was also the cover of the New York "Daily News" blasting lawmakers with this. God isn't fixing this, in big bold block letters surrounding this headline with tweets from Republicans in Congress.

Our CNN senior media correspondent host of "RELIABLE SOURCES" is with me now with more on this cover of the "Daily News."

And so even though a lot of people in the twitter sphere, not just Republican members of Congress are talking about thoughts and prayers, their audience was Republicans. [15:50:43] BRIAN STELTER CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely.

I think we are seeing how an idea goes viral, Brooke. This wasn't something we heard talked about months ago, but recently in recent days and weeks we've heard complaints about this notion that thoughts and prayers isn't always expressed but then little more is ever said or done afterwards. Now, when we slowly come to a head last night which resulted in this cover, an editor for Think Progress, which is a liberal news site.

BALDWIN: Yes.

STELTER: Started re-tweeting all of the different politicians, Republican politicians who are coming forward expressing thoughts and prayers. I think we can put an example on screen. This was a tweet directed at Paul Ryan (INAUDIBLE). He said got $2,000 from the NRA during the 2014 cycle to keep the San Bernardino victims in their prayers and little else.

So the implicit message of these dozens of retweets was these thoughts and prayers is all that the politicians ever say. They never actually follow up with action. And that's exactly what the "Daily News" is saying with this cover as well. It's a very controversial cover. But that's the intent of "Daily News," to get us talking.

BALDWIN: Which is precisely what's happening, but what's the backlash?

STELTER: They have been on a crusade for a long time to decrease gun violence and to increase gun control. The "Daily News" makes no bones about it they want to see more steps taken. We have heard from the editor this afternoon, he is defending the cover saying we are not anti-religion. Anybody who says we are is just trying to distract people from our message which is politicians are not actually taking action. They are only sharing words. Kind of goes back to the old saying that you want to see people act, not what they say. That's what the "Daily News" is saying here. They want to see politicians act.

BALDWIN: I think it's not just the daily news saying that as well.

STELTER: And then, of course, the debate is, what's the action is? And that's the heart of it.

BALDWIN: Listen. We have an election coming up, and we're hearing some solutions from some folks. So there's that. And then there was this. When the story broke during this show yesterday, you know, I couldn't help it. I said here we go again. BBC put it this way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just another day in the United States of America. Another day of gunfire, panic and fear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STELTER: Wow. BALDWIN: Just another day in the United States. Is this how people

around the world --?

STELTER: Outsiders perceptive. You know, it is very helpful once in a while to hear how we are covered in the rest of the world. If the "Daily News" is the insider's perspective coming from a left point of view.

BALDWIN: Yes.

STELTER: About gun violence in the country, that is the outsider's perspective. And I think that BBC reporter was intentionally trying to make a statement. I think he very successfully did. This is something else that went viral and yesterday and it is continuing to get attention today. But it's not just the BBC, it's not just folks in Britain who characterize America's epidemic of gun violence this way. President Obama is right when he says this country is different than other countries. And even some folks on FOX News acknowledge that.

BALDWIN: You have a lot to talk about come Sunday morning.

Brian Stelter, thank you so much.

Coming up next, here is a quote for you, nothing short of heroic. That's how the actions of the police officers in San Bernardino have been described in the wake of this tragedy. Let's pay tribute to them next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:57:49] BALDWIN: Before I let you go today let me just say this. I know it's my job as a journalist, but in situations like these I am getting sick of speaking the words active shooter situation because I have been covering too many of them. I happened to be sitting in this chair during two crucial hours of the day when kids happen to be in school and people are at work and when mad killers tend to strike.

But it's the resiliency of these communities and specifically the law enforcement whose job it is to protect them what amaze me the most. And in this case in California hundreds of officers risked their own lives to engage with these killers and to keep others safe. They are the heroes here.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're not cool, I'm not walking. Sir. Keep your hands where I can see them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you. Try to relax there. Try to relax. I'll take a bullet before you do. That's for damn sure. Just be cool, OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Last count I've been told we have 20 r 21 officers involved in that gun battle with the suspects.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are at San Bernardino and Shedden. I see one guy down, one guy in the back of a car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just for the update, we have the suspect vehicle stopped. We go ahead and extract him. We can standby. Wait for the bear cat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Copy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The chief of the state to say I'm incredibly proud of the way that our folks responded not only the initial response here and the help that we got from our local and regional partners, but for the way they also engaged in that officer-involved shooting and chasing down those suspects. That was nothing short of heroic.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Nothing short of heroic. Those are the words from the police chief there in San Bernardino, California earlier today. Heroic indeed. Speaking the truth.

Thank you so much for being with me here today. Make sure you keep it here on CNN for continuing live coverage of the aftermath as we are now beginning to learn the status of the survivors and also learning about these victims, 14 people killed in that center this time yesterday.

Let's go to Washington. "The LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts now.