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Minnesota Shooting; Capitol Hill on Lockdown. Dallas Shooting; Minnesota Officer Identified; School Devastated by Castile's Death. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 08, 2016 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:04] TOM FUENTES, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: So maybe they had military or he had military training, and maybe he just spent a lot of time practicing. The shooting here, we know one of the police officers was gunned down point-blank, and then he shot three or four more bullets into the officer on the ground. But some of these shots were a pretty fair distance. And even with an assault rifle, to hit your targets at that distance, you need to be able to aim well. You need to have some proficiency with that firearm.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Jeffry Martin, I'm anxious to get your reaction as well. You have a unique perspective. You're the president of the NAACP chapter in St. Paul, Minnesota. We know what happened in Minnesota yesterday when a black man was shot by a police officer, and that caused a lot of outrage at the same time. What's your reaction to the horrendous events that occurred overnight in Dallas?

JEFFRY MARTIN, PRESIDENT, ST. PAUL NAACP: Well, of course, Wolf, I'm horrified by what has happened in Dallas. Of course, the NAACP does not condone any violence in any way, shape or form. The discussion from the panelist earlier about, how do we just deescalate this situation? We have to find a way. I mean there is no way that we can let this escalate behind the point of where it is. I don't want America to think that our community, the African-American community, or any community of color is a community that can be radicalized to go out and do this type of act. This seems to be a person who was mentally deranged and has been acting alone.

However, we are definitely disturbed by that. We're working with our partnerships here in the community in St. Paul to make sure that we're getting the right messaging out to our community, to let them know that we're working together to solve the issues that we have in our -- in our area. I'm going to meet with the Falcon Heights mayor later this afternoon and we're going to start working on a plan to address the issues within the St. Anthony Police Departments and what he can do as the mayor of Falcon Heights to make sure that those that he has contracts with abide by his vision of an equitable society.

BLITZER: I've spoken in the past couple of days with Cornell Williams Brooks, the national president and CEO of the NAACP. He clearly wants greater involvement, greater coordination, policing, better policing all over the country. How closely are you working, Jeffrey, with police, not only in St. Paul, but throughout Minnesota right now, especially at this sensitive moment? MARTIN: Well, we are -- we do have a great relationship with the St.

Paul Police Department. We were involved in the hiring of the current chief (ph), Todd Axel (ph), and we've had great relationships with the prior three police chiefs who have been in force. So we're doing things well I believe in St. Paul.

What we're trying to do is widen our influence and our working relationships with law enforcement agencies throughout the state. I'm also the first vice president for the Minnesota-Dakota (ph) State Conference. And as a state conference, we're trying to develop long lasting relationships with each police department and make sure they're following through with President Obama's initiative on police reform and make sure they are adopting what that task force found and put those things into action.

But I believe we're moving into the right direction. We have some -- some hot spots and some tensions that we still have to work through, especially in Minneapolis and getting a more consistent dialogue. But, however, I think we're moving in the right direction.

BLITZER: Well, that's encouraging to hear that.

Joey Jackson, take us a little bit behind the scenes right now. We're showing our viewers live pictures. Police there on the scene there in that Dallas downtown area where the sniper -- where this horrific incident occurred. I assume they're looking for other suspects right now. What do you suspect this -- what do you believe is going on?

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, Wolf, they certainly are. I mean, obviously, we have a significant problem in this country. And, yes, what they're going to do is they're going to look and they're going to see who, if anyone else, was participating in this, who aided, who abetted, who assisted, whoever was involved, and those people obviously will be brought to justice. Any suspects in, they'll be questioning them and talking to them and looking for forensic evidence and any other evidence. You know, and it's appalling what occurred, absolutely appalling that someone would have the irrationality to engage in this type of retaliation.

But it's such a broad issue, Wolf. So beyond what they do here in bringing people to justice, so that it doesn't happen again, there needs to be a broader national discussion. There is a significant problem. There is a bridge. It needs to be -- there needs to be -- it's a tremendous gap. And certainly that divide needs to be narrowed.

And to the broader issue, Wolf, if I might, I think it starts certainly with, you know, just a police understanding what they do, understanding the dangers of their job, understanding and respecting that. And then, of course, the police having a greater understanding and sensitivity for the communities that they're serving. And we can talk about this and we have talked about this, but it's a time, I think, to get involved.

And I don't even know, Wolf, that it -- that really calls for or even can be solved legislatively. We could pass all types of laws. It really calls for more action than that, bringing together leaders, whether they're community leaders, elected officials, clergy members, members of the community. There is a significant problem. And until we resolve the problem of the understanding of mutual respect of, you know, just dialoguing between police and the communities, it will go on and on and on. You cannot retaliate and kill police officers.

[09:35:29] At the same time, obviously, you want police in communities to be sensitive to the policing and what they're doing there. But it's just such a sick thing to have to deal with and have to talk about, but it will continue to occur unless that bridge is -- the gap is closed between policing and communities that they serve.

BLITZER: I suspect police departments all across the United States right now, they are in a heightened state of alert as this investigation in Dallas continues.

Tom, Joey, Jeffry, stand by.

I want to check in with CNN's congressional correspondent, Manu Raju. He's up on Capitol Hill.

Manu, very disturbing development, lockdown up on Capitol Hill right now. Tell our viewers what you've learned.

MANU RAJU, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Wolf. Actually, we're still trying to gather all the facts about what exactly is going on. But the House and the Senate proceedings have been delayed because the Senate and the House are in a lockdown. That means that they're investigating a report of a person of interest. This is a statement from the U.S. Capitol Police. "Out of abundance of caution, the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitors Center are on lockdown while USCP investigates a report of a person of interest. Building occupants are advised to shelter in place and await further instructions from the Capitol Police."

So, clearly, a heightened sense of awareness, particularly after what we have noticed in the last several days. But we're still gathering facts about exactly what this person of interest brought, whether the person brought in a -- snuck (ph) anything into the building or what the situation is exactly. But, right now, what Capitol Police are being told is for all staff members and everybody who's in the Capitol, members of Congress, the House is in session today, folks to stay in their offices and not leave while the police continue to investigate this person of interest.

Wolf.

BLITZER: So everybody in the Senate and the House, all the office buildings, they have been told shelter in place right now, is that right?

RAJU: Yes, that's right. And it appears there was a -- just an announcement right now that -- it -- it said that according to what we're hearing is that it say return to normal operations. We're not entirely sure what this means, Wolf. So, clearly, an unfolding situation happening at this very moment. But again, because of this -- such heightened security concerns, this is very unusual that the Capitol would have been in a lockdown for about -- about 20 minutes, half an hour, while they investigated a, quote, "person of interest" in the Capitol complex, Wolf.

BLITZER: Well, it looks like some people are moving behind you, so hopefully the situation has been resolved. We'll check back with you, Manu, momentarily. Manu Raju up on Capitol Hill.

We'll get back to the breaking news out of Dallas.

We've got much more information coming in. The president and the police chief of the Dallas area rapid transit system, they're standing by to join us. We'll talk about the death of the police officer, Brent Thompson. Our special coverage continues in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:42:36] BLITZER: Just want to update you first on the Capitol Hill lockdown that's been going on for about almost half an hour. But, good news, it has now been lifted. Members of the House, members of the Senate, all the staff up on Capitol Hill, both sides were told to shelter in place. Unclear why. We're getting more information. Bottom line, at least right now, the lockdown has been lifted. All clear up on Capitol Hill.

Let's continue to follow the breaking news out of Dallas, Texas, right now. A sniper, as you know, opened fire in downtown Dallas overnight. The target, police officers at a peaceful protest against officer involved killings. Twelve police officers are shot, five of them killed.

Last hour, the Dallas police chief said the gunman had revealed his motives before he was killed. The police chief says he was angry over the police violence against African-Americans, and wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers. Police believe, at least for now, the suspect, who is dead, acted alone.

We know the name of one of the fallen police officers, Brent Thompson. He was 43 years old, married just within the last two weeks. Thompson spent part of his career overseas working as a security officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

For more, I want to bring in two of Thompson's colleague, DART president -- DART is the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System, the executive director, Gary Thomas, he's the president and executive director, and DART Chief James Spiller, who's also joining us right now.

Thanks to both of you for joining us. Our deepest, deepest condolences to you, all his family and friends.

First of all, what can you tell us -- what can you tell us about Brent Thompson?

CHIEF JAMES SPILLER, DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT: Brent has been with the department since about 2006. He came to us from Corsicana, Texas. A great police officer, servant to the people of Dallas, as well as to our customers who use our system. A great family man. And we are deeply saddened by his loss. But, yet, we're taking care of his family, as well as the family of those officers that were injured, along with the injured officers themselves.

BLITZER: Do we know the circumstances, how he was shot and killed? What he was doing at the time?

[09:45:06] SPILLER: The circumstances are yet being uncovered. The Dallas Police Department is handling the investigation, and we're working with them on that. And, you know, so that is yet being uncovered. And I'm sure there will be more coming out. That will be coming from Dallas Police Department.

BLITZER: Gary, were other DART, Dallas Area Rapid Transit police officers either shot or killed?

GARY THOMAS, WORKED WITH OFFICER BRENT THOMPSON: This was the first officer in our history of our police department that's actually been shot and killed. There were -- there were three other officers that were injured, other DART officers that were injured last night. And so we're certainly praying for a quick recovery for them.

BLITZER: How are they doing?

THOMAS: Well, they're doing well. All things considered, given the circumstances, they're doing well. They're nonlife threatening injuries. And, again, we're -- we're doing everything we can to make sure that we support them during this time. And, again, praying for a quick recovery.

But they're good spirits. I visited with two of the three last night. Chief Spiller visited with all three. And they -- they're are professionals through and through. It's their job. You don't plan on this, you don't count on it, but this is what they train for. This is what they -- this is what they plan for and they're professionals in everything that they do.

BLITZER: Chief Spiller, how are you and your men and women handling all of this?

SPILLER: Well, you know, we're grieving. That's to be expected. But as Mr. Thomas said, we're yet going out performing our duty. We've received great support from local police departments here in the state of Texas, as well as all across the United States, to include Canada and England, as well as from hearing from citizens also. We've made sure that we have grief counselors available to our officers, as well as medical personnel. We're communicating with them to make sure they knew what occurred.

But again, as Mr. Thomas said, what you did see was two police departments work together cohesively to make sure that the protesters were taken care of. Someone brought back fire upon the suspect so we could get back and take care of those fallen officers, and then could engage the suspect. And turn it over to the Dallas Police Department. And it was a great unity of effort to make sure that those suspects were captured and/or taken care of. And that's kind of where we are. We're yet supporting Dallas Police Department, our injured officers and families. And we're just really appreciative of all the support that we're getting from across the country. And not just for us, DART police, but for Dallas Police Department also.

BLITZER: As far as you know, Gary, is there still a search underway for other suspects? We heard the Dallas police chief, David Brown, say they believe this individual was acting alone, the sniper. But as far as you know, is there still an ongoing search? We're showing our viewers live pictures of the downtown area.

THOMAS: Well, the city of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department is doing the investigation and so they are handling that. We'll wait to -- we'll assist them in any way that we can, but we'll wait to see what they come up with.

BLITZER: All right, we'll stay in close touch with you. Once again, our deepest, deepest condolences to you and all the men and women who work at DART, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System. Gary Thomas, Chief Spiller, thank you very much.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:51:18] BLITZER: We'll have much more on the breaking news, the Dallas police shootings, in just moment.

But first I want to go to Minnesota right now, where we just heard from the family of Philando Castile. In a very emotional interview right here on CNN the past hour, Castile's fiancee, Diamond Reynolds, says this isn't just about Philando, she wants justice for everyone around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND REYNOLDS, FIANCEE OF PHILANDO CASTILE: I don't want to keep reliving this moment.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely. Absolutely.

REYNOLDS: I want my justice. I want that police officer's name to go public. And I want people to know who did this to us, who did this to our city, our state and our country. It's not the -- it's not you, it's not you, it's not you, it's none of us. We didn't do this to ourselves. And I just want the world to know that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Meanwhile, Minnesota's governor, Mark Dayton, says race did play a role in Castile's death. The governor saying he is appalled and deeply offended by what happened. Brynn Gingras is joining us now from St. Paul. She's got the latest.

What are you learning, Brynn.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, justice for everyone is what the protesters have been telling us that they want as well. They are expected to actually take to the streets at some point today despite what happened in Dallas. But, again, that is that same message.

As far as the investigation goes, well, the state agency is still investigating, of course. They have a long way to go with this. And the Department of Justice is overseeing, monitoring it from afar. But the family, in that same interview, Wolf, was not satisfied with that. They want the DOJ to investigate. They also want to do their separate investigation. And all of this as we are also learning the names of the two officers directly involved with the fatal shooting of Philando Castile.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GINGRAS (voice-over): Officer Jeronimo Yanez has been named by state investigators as the man who shot and killed 32-year-old Philando Castile.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I told him not to reach for it. I told him to get his hand off it.

GINGRAS: Another officer, Joseph Kauser, was also at the scene. Both four year veterans of St. Anthony's police department. Both now on administrative leave.

REYNOLDS: They killed my boyfriend.

GINGRAS: Yanez and Kauser were not wearing body cameras, but state investigators say they have collected and are actively reviewing several other videos, including police dash cam footage.

REYNOLDS: Please don't tell me my boyfriend just went like that.

GINGRAS: The shocking nearly ten-minute live stream video shot by Castile's fiancee, Diamond Reynolds, moving thousands of protesters to take to the streets across the country, shutting down a major freeway in Chicago, and struggling with police in Times Square demanding justice.

The outrage over Castile's death at the hands of Officer Yanez, met with a shocking admission of racism by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.

GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON (D), MINNESOTA: Would this have happened if those passengers, the driver and the passengers were white? I don't think it would have. This kind of racism exists.

GINGRAS: Dayton says he wants federal help in the investigation.

DAYTON: And it's incumbent upon all of us to vow that we're going to do whatever we can to see that it doesn't happen -- it doesn't continue to happen.

GINGRAS: Reynolds says she and her four-year-old daughter, Diana, who was in the back seat at the time of the deadly shooting, were taken into custody, held for over seven hours. REYNOLDS: They manipulated me to go to the station where they agreed

to feed us and give us water, and they didn't. They separated myself and my daughter.

GINGRAS: In the video, you can hear Reynold's daughter comforting her own mother in the back of the police car.

REYNOLDS: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's OK. I'm right here with you.

[09:55:01] GINGRAS: Diana's grandmother fears at only four years old she will be scarred for life.

DAFINA DOTY, GRANDMOTHER OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN CAR: We raise our kids to believe that the police are here to protect us. But I have a four- year-old granddaughter who will beg to differ. What do I teach her?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Brynn, thank you very much for that.

Before his death, Philando Castile was a beloved school cafeteria manager at the J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul.

Anna Gamaas is a teacher. She's also a parent at that school. She watched Castile with the children.

Anna, thank you so much for joining us. Our deepest condolences to you, to everyone at the school, all of his friends.

You say Castile didn't just work with the kids, with the students, he knew their names, knew things about them. Tell us a little bit more about his interactions with the children there. What kind of person was he?

ANNA GAMAAS, TEACHER. J.J. HILL MONTESSORI MAGNET SCHOOL: Such a -- Mr. Phil was just gentle, laid back, fun, a sweetheart. Kids knew that with him they would have everything they needed when they needed it. They could go to him for almost anything. And that's a male role model for them that can never be replaced.

BLITZER: Was he -- was he -- obviously he was beloved at this school. What's been the reaction over there to -- especially among -- I know there's no school now because it's summer, but what's been the reaction among all of your friends, your relatives, all of the associates at the Montessori School?

GAMAAS: We're just devastated. You know, this was -- this was a person who was our friend, our colleague. Just the opposite of anyone you'd feel you'd need to defend yourself from. And yesterday we were planning to hold a vigil in the garden, a small vigil, and it turned into thousands among -- thousands of people. And I saw several of my students standing up in the slide on the playground watching and taking this all in, probably not fully understanding what it means. I'm grateful that it's summer, selfishly, because I don't know how to

talk to them all about this, especially my little boys that look like Phil, how do I explain that to them? I don't know. But come -- come fall, we're going to have to -- we're going to have to take them in our arms and explain, you know, that this wonderful man that they knew day to day is not coming back. And why, that's -- that's the question, right? How do I tell that to a six-year-old?

BLITZER: Are you and your friends over there, your colleagues, associates, are you getting some counseling right now? Because you're going to have to deal with all these young kids once they come back to school after the summer and they're going to be asking questions.

GAMAAS: Yes, they'll be crying, they'll be asking questions, they'll be wondering. Right now, we are not doing anything like that as of yet. I think we're still reeling in -- in shock. Yesterday was a big day and a big day to be together and to see friends and hug and cry. But as the weeks go forward, I'm sure we will -- we'll be aware of how we're going to deal with it as a staff and how we're going to talk to our kids as a united front and let them know that this happened and tell them the truth and give them an opportunity to make a difference in the world. But, you know, they want to grow up knowing they can do anything. I don't want to have to say to them, you know, because of the way you look, you might not be able to do what you want.

BLITZER: I'm told, Anna, that like Philando, you were recently pulled over. You were driving. You had a broken tail light, pulled over by police. But, obviously, your experience was a lot different than his. You've been thinking about that, haven't you?

GAMAAS: I've been thinking about that a lot. I think about how when it happened I was -- my heart beats fast because I'm nervous, but I'm not scared for my life. I'm not scared even of a ticket at times because that hasn't been my experience. And to know that so many people have to worry or fear for their -- I mean their -- their life because of something that's wrong with their car. I told them I was getting it fixed and he let me go. And I -- I know full well that it's because of the way I look.

Anna, I'm going to let you go, but give me one final thought about Philando.

GAMAAS: Oh, that guy. He -- just the biggest heart. The biggest sweetheart. And he did everything for those kids. I just would love to see people stop being so scared of each other and start to figure out a way to see -- see people for who they are in their soul. Philando -- I can't call him that, Mr. Phil, I miss you so much, and I weep for the opportunities these children would have had because of you in the future that are now lost.

[10:00:09] BLITZER: Anna Gamaas, thank you so much for joining us.