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Terrorist Pledged Allegiance To ISIS In 911 Call; New Details Emerge About Shooting Victims; Hospital Updates Condition Of Shooting Victims; Hillary Clinton's Campaign Event; Clinton's First Speech Since Terror Attack; Hillary Clinton Speaks on the Orlando Shooting. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired June 13, 2016 - 13:00   ET

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

WOLF BLITZER: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We begin with new details on the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. A video posted by one of the victims captures the moments when shots first rang out inside the Pulse night club in Orlando, Florida. In the video, Amanda Alvear didn't realize that the sound was gun fire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm at the club.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE.)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Sadly, Amanda Alvear did not survive. She was one of the 49 people shot and killed by the terrorist gunman Omar Mateen.

This is the scene outside the club today. The Orlando Police chief says authorities, they tried to negotiate with the gunman after he barricaded himself in a bathroom along with hostages. When negotiators didn't -- negotiations didn't work, the chief made the decision to go in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MINA, CHIEF OF POLICE, ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT: We used our armored vehicle, the bearcat armored vehicle, to punch a hole in that wall. And we were able to rescue dozens and dozens of people that came out of that hole. The suspect came out of that hole, himself, armed with a handgun and a long gun, engaged in a gun battle with officers where he was ultimately killed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Weeks before the massacre, the shooter tried to buy military grade body armor from a local store but the store didn't sell it. That's according to a U.S. official briefed on the investigation. Also, the FBI says the gunman made three phone calls during the massacre. Inside the night club, police and witnesses describe a truly horrific scene. Victims' cell phones ringing as loved ones tried to reach them. A terrified woman who said she survived by covering herself with bodies.

Authorities have identified all but one of the 49 people who were murdered. Florida's governor says helping the victims and their families is the top priority.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: We are a going to continue to work hard to take care of these families and make sure we try to get this community back and the state back to work as quickly as we can. But right now, it's time grieve for each family member that either lost their loved one or still has somebody in the hospital injured.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Any minute now, we expect to hear from Hillary Clinton out on the campaign trail, her thoughts on this tragic shooting in Orlando. That's coming up.

Also, we're waiting for today's White House press briefing. That's scheduled to begin fairly soon as well.

Just a little while ago, over at the White House President Obama spoke bluntly about the terror attack and the investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is being treated as a terrorist investigation. It appears that the shooter was inspired by various extremist information that was disseminated over the Internet. At this stage, we see no clear evidence that he was directed externally.

It does appear that, at the last minute, he announced allegiance to ISIL. But there is no evidence, so far, that he was, in fact, directed by ISIL. And there, also at this stage, is no direct evidence that he is parter of a larger plot. This is certainly an example of the kind of homegrown extremism that all of us have been so concerned about for a very long time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Our National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto is on the scene for us in Orlando. So, Jim, the president speaks about homegrown extremism, but they are also looking at the possibility this could have been - could have been part of a wider plot.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: They are but the indications so far, Wolf, is that it's not and that's for a couple of reasons. One, they don't have evidence that he had contact or communication with ISIS central. They don't have that yet. They could turn it up in other sources. But, at this point, they don't have it.

Two, they do know he had foreign travels. Sources close to the investigation told me he traveled to Saudi Arabia twice in 2011 and 2012. That was, apparently, for pilgrimages, part of the Muslim faith. But they don't have evidence, at this point, that he met with any bad actors during those trips.

So, those are two lines of inquiry they have gone down and don't see ties to a larger terror group.

In addition to that, and this is something the FBI director, James Comey, said just a short time ago, that at various times, he expressed support not only for ISIS, as he did while he was inside the club just down the street here. But, in the past, he had expressed support for Hezbollah and for Al Nusra which is an Al Qaeda tied group.

[13:05:10] And the thing about those three groups, Wolf, as you know well, those groups hate each other. They are diametrically opposed. Al Qaeda and ISIS currently fighting a war against each other, in effect, in Syria. Those are Sunni Islamist groups. Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist groups. And that is, clearly, one of the reasons that the FBI, as they were looking at him, did not take him so seriously. Because those claims of ties to those groups, from their perspective, did not seem substantial.

BLITZER: The FBI director was pretty blunt in describing what they know for -- so far. Let me play a little clip of what he just said. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES COMEY, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: It is also not entirely clear, at this point, just what terrorist group he aspired to support. Although he made clear his affinity at the time of the attack for ISIL and, generally, leading up to the attack for radical Islamist groups.

During the calls, he said he was doing this for the leader of ISIL, who he named and pledged loyalty to. But he also appeared to claim solidarity with the perpetrators of the Boston marathon bombing and solidarity with a Florida man who died as a suicide bomber in Syria for Al Nusra front, a group in conflict with the so-called Islamic state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And interestingly enough, and I don't know if you can update us on this, that Florida terrorist, the only American so far who became a suicide bomber for Al Nusra, I believe, that's the Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, they went to the same mosque. Did they know each other well? What do we know about that connection between these two people?

SCIUTTO: This is an important connection. Abu Saha (ph), as he was known, Florida (INAUDIBLE), who went to Syria, blew himself up, as you say, in the suicide bombing. He and the Orlando shooter went to the same Islamic center here. The FBI saying that they believe - they were believed to have had a casual knowledge of each other, acquaintance with each other. They don't know and have not said that they had a deeper relationship or any evidence of cooperation. But at least they knew each other.

And this was a mosque, to be clear, that the Orlando shooter didn't go to occasionally. He went three or four times a week. So, a deep connection there.

Now, on the flip side, here, you have the FBI. They say they looked into him for a full 10 months and then decided it wasn't substantial enough. This is the challenge for law enforcement here in the U.S., for counterterror officials.

They had many people, many dozens of people, in this category who may express support for a group, have had communication with a terror group, shared a mosque with someone who was previously convicted or carried out on attacks. That is, in our legal system, not enough to lock them up.

And it's a difficult thing for them to, in effect, block every one of these attacks. Because you could have many clues like this and, ultimately, they make judgments. And here, they made a judgment that, in effect, turned out to be incorrect because he did act violently many months after they ended that investigation.

BLITZER: Yes, he certainly did. All right, Jim Sciutto, on the scene for us in Orlando. Jim, thank you.

Families of those killed in the Orlando massacre just beginning to grieve for their loved ones. And some of those injured in the shooting are fighting for their lives right now.

Victor Blackwell is over at the Orange County Regional Medical Center in Orlando. Brynn Gingrass is in New York for us. Brynn, let me start with you. What more are you learning about the identities of the victims?

BRYNN GINGRASS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we just have heartbreaking stories that are coming out about all of these victims, Wolf. You just mentioned the one about Amanda, the stories of their last moments.

Well, I want to show you another one. A text exchange between Eddie Justice and his mother, Mina. And, basically, here is what it read, mommy, I love you. In a club. There's shooting. In the bathroom. Call police. I'm going to die. And she texted back, calling them now. Still there? Answer your phone. Call me.

And then, she again texted, call me. And they texted back and forth for a little bit and Eddie eventually texted back. Still here in bathroom. He has us. They need to come get us. Hurry. He's in the bathroom with us. He is a terror. And then, after that, no answer from Eddie. That was -- hours later, that his mother learned her 30- year-old son was killed. And we have some other names that we want to certainly mention here. Jonathan Camuy Vega (ph). He was a Telemundo journalist who worked in both San Juan and then in Florida. Also, Cory Connell. 21 years old. Among the youngest of those killed in this attack. He was at (INAUDIBLE) with his girlfriend. She survived the attack. Connell did not. He was a student. And he had big dreams of becoming - of becoming a firefighter which, of course, were cut short.

Another person, Wolf, Edward Sotomayor, Jr. 34-year old. He was a travel agent. And he was known to his family and friends as top hat Eddie. And so many people have been paying tribute to him by posting pictures of themselves in actual top hats or tweeting the emoji of a top hat because that's how everybody knew him. That's how everybody loved him.

[13:10:10] So, officials, right now, say more than half of those killed, their names have been released. But they are still trying to get in touch with family members to officially release all of the names. But all of them have been identified, except for one, Wolf.

So, certainly, we're hearing more stories, and we'll continue to bring them to you.

BLITZER: It's such heart breaking stories indeed. All right, Brynn, stand by.

Victor, give us an update on what you're learning there in Orlando. You're near the hospital. What are the conditions of those who are still in the hospital?

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, still an urgent situation here 36 hours since the shooting began. We know that there were six people that underwent surgery today at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. And we're getting a broader picture of the people who were rushed here, treated and some people who have been released.

Let's put up on the screen some of the numbers we're getting from the hospital, via Twitter. Forty-four people in all treated here. Eleven, we're told, taken to other hospitals. Nine died. But the hospital says that those deaths came in the hours shortly after the shooting and none in the last 24 hours or so.

Six have been discharged. We're told that 29 patients remain in the hospital. Five of them in grave condition. Now, of course, if we said 49 people in all died and one of those, Amanda Alvear. And she was broadcasting via Snap Chat what she thought would be a fun night at Pulse night club. She was sharing the music and, unfortunately, it ended with her death - Wolf.

BLITZER: Victor, hold on for a moment. I'm going to get back to you guys but Hillary Clinton is out in Cleveland, Ohio. And this is her first public appearance since the terror attack. I want to listen in.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: -- to have him representing you. I want to thank your congresswoman, Marcia Fudge, who is both indomitable and indefatigable. She is such a tenacious advocate for the people she represents. I want to acknowledge the mayor, Mayor Jackson, who is here. County Executive Budish. And I particularly want to recognize the passing of George Voinovich. And he devoted his life to serving the people of Ohio as mayor of Cleveland, as governor and senator. And we send our prayers and sympathy to his family.

I also want to thank Dan Moore, the Owner and Founder of this company, and Team Wendy, for his belief in Cleveland, for his commitment to create jobs. I can't wait to work with him to do more of what he has accomplished here.

You know, originally, I had intended to come to Cleveland under very different circumstances. We are heading into a general election that could be the most consequential of our lifetimes. But today, it's not a day for politics. On Sunday, Americans woke up to a nightmare that's become mind numbingly familiar. Another act of terrorism in a place no one expected. A madman filled with hate, with guns in his hands, and just a horrible sense of vengeance and vindictiveness in his heart. Apparently, consumed by rage against LGBT Americans. And by extension, the openness and diversity that defines our American way of life.

We will learn more about the killer in the days to come. We know that he pledged allegiance to ISIS, that they are now taking credit, and that part of their strategy is to radicalize individuals and encourage attacks against the United States, even if they are not coordinated with ISIS leadership.

But there is a lot we still don't know, including what other mix of motives drove him to kill. The more we learn about what happened, the better we'll be able to protect our people going forward.

In the days ahead, we will also learn more about the many lives he viciously cut short. Many of them young people just starting out in their lives. They were travel agents and pharmacy techs, college students and amusement park workers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. And they had one thing in common. They all had a lot more to give.

[13:15:00] We should take a moment today, amid our busy lives to think about them, to pray for everyone who was killed, for the wounded, those who are fighting to regain their lives and futures, for our first responders who walked into danger one more time. As a mother, I can't imagine what those families are going through.

But let's also remember the other scenes we saw on Sunday. We saw the faces of some of those first responders who rushed into danger and tried to saves as many people as they could. We saw survivors, like Chris Hanson (ph), who risked their lives to help others. People gathering outside hospitals to comfort anxious family members waiting for news of their loved ones, and waiting, too, to learn more about what they could do to make sure this never happened again. Religious leaders condemning hate and appealing for peace. People lining up to donate blood. Americans refusing to be intimidated or divided.

Yesterday I called Mayor Dyer of Orlando and offered my support and my appreciation for the leadership that he and the other officials have shown. This is a moment when all Americans need to stand together. No matter how many times we endure attacks like this, the horror never fades. The murder of innocent people breaks our hearts, tears at our sense of security, and makes us furious.

Now we have to steel our resolve to respond. And that's what I want to talk to you about, how we respond. The Orlando terrorist may be dead, but the virus that poisoned his mind remains very much alive. And we must attack it with clear eyes, steady hands, unwavering determination and pride in our country and our values.

I have no doubt -- I have no doubt we can meet this challenge if we meet it together. Whatever we learn about this killer, his motives in the days ahead, we know already the barbarity that we face from radical jihadists is profound. In the Middle East, ISIS is attempting a genocide of religious and ethnic minorities. They are slaughtering Muslims who refuse to accept their medieval ways. They are beheading civilians, including executing LGBT people. They are murdering Americans and Europeans, enslaving, torturing and raping women and girls.

In speeches like this one, after Paris, Brussels, and San Bernardino, I have laid out a plan to defeat ISIS and the other radical jihadist groups in the region and beyond. The attack in Orlando makes it even more clear, we cannot contain this threat. We must defeat it. And the good news is that the coalition effort in Syria and Iraq has made recent gains in the last months. So we should keep the pressure on ramping up the air campaign, accelerating support for our friends fighting to take and hold ground, and pushing our partners in the region to do even more.

We also need continued American leadership to help resolve the political conflicts that fuel ISIS recruitment efforts. But as ISIS loses actual ground in Iraq and Syria, it will seek to stage more attacks and gain stronger footholds wherever it can, from Afghanistan, to Libya, to Europe. The threat is metastasizing. We saw this in Paris and we saw it in Brussels. We face a twisted ideology and poisoned psychology that inspires the so-called lone wolves, radicalized individuals who may or may not have contact and direction from any formal organization. So, yes, efforts to defeat ISIS on the battlefield must succeed, but it will take more than that.

[13:20:20] We have to be just as adaptable and versatile as our enemies. As president, I will make identifying and stopping lone wolves a top priority.

I will put a team together from across our government, the entire government, as well as the private sector and communities to get on top of this urgent challenge. And I will make sure our law enforcement and intelligence professionals have all the resources they need to get the job done.

As we do this, there are three areas that demand attention. First, we and our allies must work hand in hand to dismantle the networks that move money and propaganda and arms and fighters around the world. We have to flow. We have to stem the flow of jihadists from Europe and

America, to Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and then back again. The only way to do this is by working closely with our partners, strengthening our alliances, not weakening them or walking away from them.

Second, here at home, we must harden our own defenses. We have to do more to support our first responders, law enforcement, and intelligence officers who do incredible work every day at great personal risk to keep our country safe.

I have seen firsthand how hard their job is, and how well they do it. In Orlando, at least one police officer was shot in the head. Thankfully, his life was saved by a Kevlar helmet, something folks here at Team Wendy (ph) know a lot about.

It's often been said that our law enforcement, our intelligence agencies, our first responders have to be right 100 percent of the time, but terrorists only have to be right once. What a heavy responsibility. These men and women deserve both our respect and gratitude. And they deserve the right tools and resources and training. Too often state and local officials can't get access to intelligence from the federal government that would help them do their jobs. We need to change that. We also need to work -- we also need to work with local law enforcement and business owners on ways to protect vulnerable so-called soft targets, like nightclubs and shopping malls and hotels and movie theaters and schools and houses of worship.

Now, I know a lot of Americans are asking how it was possible that someone already on the FBI's radar could have still been able to commit an attack like the one in Orlando and what more we can do to stop this kind of thing from happening again. Well, we have to see what the investigation uncovers. If there are things that can and should be done to improve our ability to prevent, we must do them.

We already know we need more resources for this fight. The professionals who keep us safe would be the first to say we need better intelligence to discover and disrupt terrorist plots before they can be carried out. That's why I have proposed an intelligence surge to bolster our capabilities across the board with appropriate safeguards here at home. Even as we make sure our security officials get the tools they need to prevent attacks, it's essential that we stop terrorists from getting the tools they need to carry out the attacks. And that is especially true when it comes to assault weapons, like those used in Orlando and San Bernardino.

[13:25:31] Now, I believe weapons of war have no place on our streets. And we may have our disagreements about gun safety regulations, but we should all be able to agree on a few essential things. If the FBI is watching you for a suspected terrorist links, you shouldn't be able to just go buy a gun with no questions asked and you shouldn't be able to exploit loopholes and evade criminal background checks by buying online or at a gun show. And, yes, if you're too dangerous to get on a plane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun in America.

Now, I know some will say that assault weapons and background checks are totally separate issues having nothing to do with terrorism. Well, in Orlando and San Bernardino, terrorists used assault weapons. The AR-15. And they used it to kill Americans. That was the same assault weapon used to kill those little children in Sandy Hook. We have to make it harder for people who should not have those weapons of war. And that may not stop every shooting or every terrorist attack, but it will stop some, and it will save lives, and it will protect our first responders.

And I want you to know, I'm not going to stop fighting for these kinds of provisions.

Now, the third area that demands attention is preventing radicalization and countering efforts by ISIS and other international terrorist networks to recruit in the United States and Europe. For starters, it is long past time for the Saudis, the Qataris and the Kuwaitis and others to stop their citizens from funding extremist organizations. And they should stop supporting radical schools and mosques around the world that have set too many young people on a path toward extremism.

We also have to use all our capabilities to counter jihadist propaganda online. This is something I spent a lot of time on at the State Department. As president, I will work with our great tech companies from Silicon Valley to Boston to step up our game. We have to do a better job intercepting ISIS' communications, tracking and analyzing social media posts and mapping jihadist networks, as well as promoting credible voices who can provide alternatives to radicalization.

[13:29:29] And there is more to do off line as well. Since 9/11, law enforcement agencies have worked hard to build relationships with Muslim-American communities. Millions of peace-loving Muslims live, work, and raise their families across America. And they are the most likely to recognize the insidious effects of radicalization before it's too late, and the best position to help us block it. So we should be intensifying