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Orlando Massacre: Were Warning Signs Missed?; Obama Embraces Victims, Pleads for Gun Control; McCain Blames Obama for Orlando Attack; Trump Blasts Obama & Clinton in Texas; CIA Director: ISIS Terror Capabilities Intact. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired June 17, 2016 - 04:00   ET

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


[04:00:14] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning: new information on the Orlando club killer's wife, texting with her husband during the attack. As investigators ask, were warning signs missed?

President Obama meeting with victims and their families in Orlando, calling for future gun measures to prevent a future tragedy. But will lawmakers hear his pleas?

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans in New York.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Victor Blackwell in Orlando. Friday, June 17th, 4:00 a.m. here in Orlando.

And breaking news this morning: new information about the Orlando nightclub massacre. The question that investigators, of course, are working to answer: were warning signs about the gunman missed?

Now, this, of course, as President Obama travels to Orlando to offer his support and help the traumatized city recover.

We are learning that Omar Mateen texting with his wife during the attack, asking her if she'd seen the news. The FBI still investigating what the wife, Noor Salman may have known about her husband's plans. But Orlando's federal prosecutor says it is still too early to say whether she or anyone else will face charges.

We are also learning more this morning about Mateen's visit to the gun shop where he tried to buy military-grade body armor, something the store does not sell. Well, store employees say they reported the suspicious inquiry to the FBI.

All right. Joining me now with the very latest, CNN's Polo Sandoval.

Polo, good morning to you.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Victor.

You know, yesterday, we heard from law enforcement officials who confirmed that the gunman was likely using his phone to Facebook possible news articles regarding the shooting as it happened. Well, now, we are learning that he likely used it to text his wife, one of the key witnesses in this case. According to new information released by law enforcement officials, the gunman reportedly texted his wife, asking if she was seeing the news, if she had been watching the news. Noor Salman reportedly several times, texting, even saying, "I love you" and didn't get a response.

It is important to point out the texts were exchanged at 4:00 a.m. This was about two hours into the initial shots fired here at Pulse nightclub, which is where we are this morning. So, clearly, investigators are taking a good look at her version here of events as they continue to compile evidence, as evidence presented to a grand jury.

Now usually grand juries meet Monday through Friday. It is possible we do not hear the final decision as to whether or not Noor Salman will be charged in the case. If we don't hear that today, then we may not hear that until next week. So, again, that is something we'll be looking out for that today.

Meanwhile, we are also learning new information about the gunman and his attempts to allegedly purchase body armor. My colleague, Drew Griffin, had an opportunity to speak to the owner of the gun shop in Jensen Beach, which is actually only south of Ft. Pierce, Florida, which is where the gunman and his wife live. He told the FBI that he initially called in suspicious individuals who are trying to purchase body armor. This was several weeks before the shooting. Investigators did look into that and determined it was several officers. That wasn't necessarily suspicious.

But then as they closed the case, one gun shop employee told investigators about another individual who was trying to purchase level three ammunition. Investigators asked for some surveillance video. However, that wasn't necessarily provided.

I want you to listen to what one of the employees at the gun shop in Jensen Beach told my colleague Drew Griffin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBBIE ABELL, CO-OWNER OF LOTUS GUNWORKS: Our salesman got concerned about it and informed me we do not have this body armor. At this time, he pulled away and got on to the cell phone. When he was on the cell phone, he had a conversation in a foreign language. That was more concerning.

Then he came back and he was requesting ammo. He wanted bulk ammo only. At that time he declined any business and left the store. We had no link or contact, we didn't know he was. But we did contact authorities and let them know we just had a suspicious person that was in here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: So again, hearing from an individual who works at another gun shop that is now in the picture upon this investigation. So, clearly, there were red flags, Victor, but were they enough to actually prevent something like this? That is the key question and the other one we're looking for this morning, Victor, the wife of the gunman be the first person be charged in this case?

[04:05:04] BLACKWELL: Now, of course, the question, of course, that everyone is asking, if you see something, will you say something? We know the store owners did that. Not enough information there, no tag, no name for those investigators to go after Mateen before this shooting.

Polo Sandoval, thank you so much.

Let's talk about the president's visit. President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, of course, spent most of the day in Orlando. The president has, of course, done this after previous mass shootings. President Obama consoled victims and survivors' families, offering support to a stricken city. The president and vice president laid roses at the memorial to the victims. They met with survivors and families members, medical and emergency personnel, and with the staff of the Pulse nightclub.

But afterwards, the president said he could offer them few promises of change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So today, once again, as has been true too many times before, I held and hugged grieving family members and parents and they asked why does this keep happening? And they pleaded that we do more to stop the carnage. They don't care about the politics. Neither do I.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Well, President Obama's visit offering some comfort to a city deep in mourning now. But as this mother whose son died in the massacre told CNN's Don Lemon, sympathy, even from the president, only goes so far.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CORLISS TOMLINSON, MOTHER OF VICTIM SHANE TOMLINSON: He came and I said thank you for coming and being compassionate to the community. Really, what can you really say? You know? His words will not make me feel better and not bringing back me my son. I was just happy that he was showing compassion.

But you sit there and you hear people talking, but you don't know what they are saying. My mind's focused on when I get home. I got to start making funeral arrangements. I'm worried about what church and this. You know, my nightmare hasn't even begun yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Joining me to talk about how the city is coping in the aftermath is Paul Brinkmann, senior business reporter at "The Orlando Sentinel".

Thank you so much for being with us this morning. You've covered this extensively. Let's start with President Obama's

visit.

The president came to offer condolences and compassion, but he admitted few promises of change could be made. What was the real impact of the president and vice president's visit here?

PAUL BRINKMANN, SENIOR BUSINESS REPORTER, ORLANDO SENTINEL: I mean, it appears to be actually to come in and offer support and consolation for the entire community. And obviously it is part of his role as commander in chief and leader of the country.

BLACKWELL: But this is the tenth time the president has had to do this. It becomes the gut-wrenching part of the office. People want more than just that.

BRINKMANN: They do. Yes, I mean, I think if he started promising that, with the -- it's not actually -- it's in his power to continue to push for it and continue to show up, but it's not in his power to actually make that change or some of those changes that many people believe are necessary to address it.

BLACKWELL: Talk to me about the impact of the shooting on this community, because it's been split with people I spoken with. Some have said we are resilient. We will not bow down to terrorists. This city will be what it always has been. Some say it will change the community forever.

What do you see?

BRINKMANN: Yes, I think both are true. It will change the community forever. It was historic event and the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. People are going to have to think differently whether that means we -- you know, there's no sign yet it's going to have tremendous impact on number of people that come here. Things are changing already where we have seen local politicians say we need to be defined as an area as a terrorism risk and we need to get adequate funding here.

Those are things that have already changed immediately. There are some people who are strong in the face of disaster like this. There are others who are in shock and can't deal with it.

BLACKWELL: Yes, let's talk about funding because there has been this outpouring of support from individuals across the country, from multinational corporations offering small donations, seven figures to this One Orlando Fund.

[0410:08] And when Mayor Buddy Dyer came out on Wednesday, I believe it was, and announced that that money would go to community organizations, there was a fierce and scathing backlash almost immediately.

BRINKMANN: Yes. It actually came from a group that is a very somber group. A group of survivors and family members of other mass shooting BLACKWELL: Sandy Hook and Boston attack as well. In their cases, so

little of the money went to them. Went to the victims and the need continues. There's been a change.

What has that change been?

BRINKMANN: I mean, we're up to a total of about $12 million now between One Orlando and Go Fund Me pages. The large campaigns on Go Fund Me. The change that they first announced was One Orlando was to donate only to other non-profits.

And one of the reasons I'm told that they would do that is because some people view it as more legitimate. You can also write it off on your taxes. But the survivors of the other shootings said with that structure, there's too many layers, there's too many administrative staffs. And what winds up happening is that the money doesn't make it to the victims and families in time to make a difference.

BLACKWELL: One more thing before I let you go quickly. Typically after these and I've covered and we've covered too many of these. There are many similarities. And one of them is community events sponsored by the city, a memorial. I have heard no plans here in Orlando. Have you?

BRINKMANN: I mean, we have the vigil in front of the center. And then, you know, there is a memorial or makeshift kind of impromptu memorial that developed where the president laid the wreath.

BLACKWELL: Yes, nothing in an arena. Nothing on a large scale event?

BRINKMANN: Yes, there was talk that Obama would do that at the Amway Center. That didn't happen yet. So I don't know if there are concerns about security or not.

BLACKWELL: All right. Paul Brinkmann with "The Orlando Sentinel" -- thanks so much with being us this morning.

The president as you heard pleading for new gun control. But will it actually happen? What is being said at Washington and being said on the campaign trail? Will those turn into action? Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:16:43] ROMANS: Welcome back to EARLY START.

Senator John McCain is attempting to clarify his comments, blaming President Obama for the terrorist attack in Orlando. The Arizona senator claims he misspoke when he said the president was, quote, "directly responsible for that mass shooting." Listen to his original remarks.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Barack Obama is directly responsible for it because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, al Qaeda went to Syria, became ISIS, and ISIS is what it is today, thanks to Barack Obama's failures.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Now, that comment triggered outrage among Democrats. McCain released a statement claiming he meant to say the president's policies led to the terrorist attack in Orlando.

Donald Trump also targeting the president and Hillary Clinton for their gun control advocacy in the wake of the Orlando shooting. He told thousands of supporters at a rally in Texas he will protect their Second Amendment rights if he becomes president. He is predicting a big win in the lone star state in November.

We get more this morning from CNN's Sara Murray.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Good morning, Victor and Christine.

Donald Trump spent a majority of his time here in Dallas, Texas, running through his greatest hits of primary victories. He did manage to fit in swipes against Hillary Clinton as well as President Obama. Saying the president has been too focused on gun control measures in the wake of the Orlando massacre.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just watched President Obama --

(BOOS)

TRUMP: And he does it a lot, he does it a lot. We have one after another. We have tragedy after tragedy. And it's a tough -- it's a tough situation. But he's largely, to a large extent, he's blaming guns and --

(BOOS)

TRUMP: And I'm going to save your Second Amendment, folks. I'm going to you're your Second Amendment, totally.

(CHEERS)

TRUMP: And Hillary wants to abolish the Second Amendment. Remember that.

(BOOS)

TRUMP: Now, more sophisticated than that, but the end result will be she will abolish the Second Amendment. Just remember that. Just remember that. OK? Just remember that. She's now trying to come back a little bit. She can't come back because Bernie's over there and others are over there and actually Bernie is better on that issue than she is from our standpoint.

MURRAY: Now, of course, Hillary Clinton has never said she would abolish the Second Amendment. But that's the kind of message that could resonate here in deep red Texas. This is not a traditional campaign rally stop for Republican presidential candidates. It's a pretty safe bet the Republican will win the state come November.

But it is a reliable cash cow. That is what Trump will be doing here and that's what they'll be doing as well on Friday, is hitting up a couple of fund-raisers in the area. One source tells me that between three different fundraising events, they're hoping to raise north of $6 million.

Back to you, guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Sara Murray for us this morning in Dallas, Texas.

The CIA warning that the Obama administration's strategy to stop ISIS is not working, but dozens of State Department officials and what they are demanding next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:24:17] ROMANS: Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

CIA Director John Brennan offering a sobering assessment of the two- year coalition campaigns to defeat ISIS. He says despite gains on the battlefield, coalition forces have failed to disrupt the not carried out, but inspired terror attacks. Brennan tells lawmakers ISIS continues to adjust its strategy to remain operational with support from a global network. And he calls the radicalization of so-called lone wolf attackers and exceptionally challenging issue for the intelligence community.

More than 50 State Department officials want the Obama administration want to carry out militant strikes against the Assad regime in Syria. They have all signed an internal memo protesting U.S. policy, claiming a leadership in Syria is the only way to defeat ISIS.

[04:25:05] The memo circulated through the State Department's defense channel where officials can offer alternative views without fear of reprisal.

A member of the British parliament has been murdered in northern England. Forty-one-year-old Jo Cox shot and killed Thursday outside a library as she was leaving a meeting near the town of Leeds. Cox was considered a rising political star in the Labour Party. She was a fierce advocate for Syrian refugees.

A 52-year-old suspect identified in the British media as Thomas Mair is in custody. Witnesses says he shouted "Put Britain first" as he fired. And the Southern Poverty Law Center says Mair is a dedicated supporter of the National Alliance. That's a neo-Nazi organization based in the U.S. Police say no motive has been established.

Time for an early start on your money. A good start to markets around the world. Asian markets closed higher. European markets are following their lead. U.S. stock futures barely moving right now. The Dow snapping a five-day losing streak yesterday. It gained 93 points. The S&P and NASDAQ also closed higher.

Smith & Wesson is selling more guns than ever. It's one of the country's largest gun markers. It reported more than a 22 percent increase in firearm sales. These latest numbers include sales through the end of April. It is typical for gun manufacturers to see huge spikes in sales after mass shootings. Consumers fear tighter gun laws will limit their access to firearms. They literally rush out and buy guns. After the shooting in San Bernardino in December, Smith & Wesson quarterly sales jumped more than 61 percent.

All right. President Obama in Orlando comforting victims as we learn new information about the gunman and what he was doing during that massacre. We're live, next.