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FBI Investigation Minnesota Mall Stabbing as Act of Terrorism; Police Find Similarities Between NY and NJ Bombs; New Pictures of Explosion Aftermath; U.S. Apologizes for Airstrike Hitting Syrian Soldiers. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired September 18, 2016 - 15:00   ET

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

[15:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: We heard from the FBI, they're investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. ISIS now claiming the attack was carried out by a "soldier of the Islamic state." That suspect was shot dead by an off duty police officer.

And police now say they have found similarities between the bomb that went off in New York City last night and the one in Seaside Park, New Jersey. However, they have not concluded that the incidents are connected according to sources talking to our journalists here.

Our team of reporters and experts are following both of these stories, all of these stories very closely. I want to start with Deb Feyerick as she is at the scene of the New York bombing.

So, Deb, what more are you learning?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, here's what we can tell you. The two big questions right now that investigators are looking into are who and why. There are two separate crime scene, one of them here at 23rd. She's just behind me. It's about a block and a half and you've got teams of forensic investigators. I walked by them a little earlier. And they are collecting evidence on the ground.

They have numbered each individual piece of shrapnel. All that shrapnel is going to have to be analyzed at Quantico, where it's being taken to determine whether in fact any of it was used to build that bomb or whether it was shrapnel from the resulting explosion.

And, you know, it could be something seemingly random that turns out to be a big clue. Think about the Boston marathon bombing when wires there were found along with pieces of the pressure cooker.

Now, as far as the 27th Street incident, the reason that device was uncovered is because after the explosion took place here, police did a sweep of the entire area. And two officers on foot were able to identify that device. And that device is even more critical on some levels because it did not go off.

Now, we don't know whether it's operational but it did go out. That means that there could be some sort of DNA evidence, a fingerprint, a piece of hair, something on the tape or on the wires that were used to create that. So that's critical. And the bombs, what has been working on that device all afternoon to determine specifically what it was. And so, we're waiting for information on that.

We can tell you that police do know that this was intentional. They don't know what the motivation is nor do they know why it happened here in Chelsea. And police are now looking at video surveillance taken from a lot of stores, a lot of people who may have been walking by and seen something. That's what they're trying to determine.

They don't know why the device was placed in the dumpster, Fredricka, and so that's also critical because a squad car -- marked squad car was just a block away when the device detonated. And, so, again, they don't know who is out there and who may have done this. And that's why the FBI and the NYPD, they are playing this very, very close because they don't want to give away any sort of clues accidentally that could perhaps lead the person who is responsible or the persons responsible to realize that they know what's going on in terms of who they might be looking for.

Security here, especially tight. The new NYPD commissioner essentially saying, look, the United Nations General Assembly was expected starting tomorrow and so, security was going to be tight anyway. But now, it's going to be a lot more in terms of the level of alertness because this has happened.

So, very active crime scene right at 23rd street. Forensic investigators picking up every single piece of shrapnel that they think could potentially lead them to understand who built this, how they built this and perhaps even who they are. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: And while the priority, Deb, is picking up the pieces as you say, looking for any more forensic evidence are investors saying anything more about why they suspect this particular area, mostly residential, was targeted?

FEYERICK: Yes, well, see, and that's exactly right. That is the big question. You know, we are just about a block and a half away from where this device detonated. And even though Chelsea on a Saturday night is very, very busy, the area where that dumpster was located and the device exploded, it is a lot less busy frankly than the area that I'm standing at right now.

And interestingly, whether the person who was carrying it either placed it there or got spooked and then put it in that dumpster, all of that is under investigation as well because that dumpster may very well have blunted the impact of the bomb and therefore caused fewer injuries.

Now, not minimizing the number, there are about 29 people who went to Bellevue Hospital, but again, because it exploded in a dumpster and not on the street, again, it was a very different kind of explosion than it may have been otherwise. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Deb Feyerick, thank you so much. Keep us posted. All right, we're also now seeing new pictures of the moment of the aftermath of last night's explosion. Our Cristina Alesci joining me now with details on that.

What are we seeing?

[15:05:00] CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT: It's interesting because as life kind of slowly turns back to normal in that vicinity, business owners are getting back into their stores and turning over their surveillance footage, which will be very crucial to law enforcement and investigators in putting that pieces of the puzzle together.

And we just got footage from a business owner, a barbershop on 23rd Street. And if you look at it you'll see a woman who is cleaning there. Now, you're seeing people running like she was cleaning and she's getting up, clearly noticing the explosion and the people sort of running away from it.

And it gets to this idea of the confusion on the ground, most people, you know, in the vicinity were at risk of being hit by the debris as a result of the explosion. They suffered injuries, you know, being hit with glass and metal that flew off of doors and windows. So, those are the kinds of injuries that we were seeing and hearing about when we were at Bellevue earlier today.

Also, my colleague Rachel Crane spoke to a man who was driving and lost control of his car as a result of the explosion. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MARTINEZ, INJURED BY EXPLOSION: I'll just tell you vaguely what I remember. I was driving a car and next thing you know I felt an explosion and the car just tilted over. Halfway it came back down. And what happened was I just blacked out. Next thing you know, I'm in an ambulance.

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So what about you? Why did you end up here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know everything was so sudden and fast. It was more of a shock than I remember.

CRANE: How are you doing now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pain. And, you know, little traumatized. I just thought about that I was close to not actually seeing my son again. That was the scariest part of the night for me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALESCI: Fredricka, luckily, many people walked out of the hospital. In fact, several hours after that interview, Governor Andrew Cuomo came out and said that all of the 24 people that were treated in the hospital were subsequently released, which is quite remarkable if you think about, you know, how crowded, how populated that specific area is in the city. And the force that that explosion -- the destruction that it caused because of the force. I mean, you put those two things together, you would have thought that would have been more people.

Luckily, New Yorkers are very relieved tonight that the damage in terms of people at least is minimal.

WHITFIELD: Right. And just looking at the video here, clearly a variety of victim from the elderly to the very young. Very close call for so many. 29 injured, again, all released from hospitals, none life threatening. That is good news. All right, Cristina Alesci, thank you so much.

So, the FBI is now calling the stabbing attack at a shopping mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota "a potential act of terrorism." Nine people were stabbed, three of them remain hospitalized. The suspect was shot dead by an off duty police officer. ISIS now claiming the attack was carried out by a "soldier of the Islamic state." Witnesses said he was wearing a private security company uniform and made references to Allah during the attack. CNN's Nick Valencia is following this for us.

So, Nick, what more are investigators willing to say about the events that unfolded there?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're certainly highlighting this valiant effort and the heroics of the off duty police officer who engaged the suspect, firing at him multiple times. The suspect actually getting up on three various times before he was finally neutralized. The FBI unwilling to confirm that this is an act of terrorism, only investigating it so far a as a potential act of terrorism.

We heard also from the police chief there in St. Cloud mentioning the irony that this also took place on the same night that we saw explosions in New Jersey as well as New York. There is no apparent link so far but they are looking at the similarities. They are looking at the fact that this took place on the very same day.

Not much known about the suspect. He is not been officially IDed so far, but we do know that he has had at least three encounters in the past with police officer all from minor traffic violations. We also know that while he was carrying out these stabbings, he was asking at least one individual if he was a Muslim before he was stabbed, also mentioning Allah.

Of course, the media wing for ISIS online taking credit for this individual saying he was a soldier of ISIS. CNN has no way -- is unable to independently authenticate this claim, but I mentioned that the FBI is investigating this as a possible potential act of terrorism.

Earlier, Fredricka, I spoke to a witness who was there at the mall when this attack happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And all of a sudden chaos just broke out. There was a bunch of people running into the J.C. Penney Mall entrance and they were just screaming that someone was going around the mall stabbing people and that there was blood everywhere.

[15:10:08] And it was just honestly a really scary experience. I dropped everything in my hands and booked it back to my co-workers to notify her of what was going on. I ran out a different exit out of our J.C. Penney's which led straight to the parking lot. And I just kind of jumped in my car and sped off as fast as I could.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Being a witness of what happened yesterday in St. Cloud, Minnesota, she said she's had a lot of trouble sleeping after witnesses what she saw last night.

Nine people stabbed, three of them remained hospitalized. And they range in age as well from 15 years old to 53 years old. Two of the victims, women, seven of them, men.

And this investigate continues there at the mall. It remains closed. It still is an active crime scene. Investigators saying they discovered the car of this individual in the parking lot. They've also executed at least two search warrants at least one residence in Minnesota. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Valencia, thank you so much. We'll talk about the stabbings and the explosions in New York and New Jersey. What are the commonalities? I pause that question with our panel coming up. Let's talk about the similarities and of course the differences. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Three possible terror attacks on U.S. soil in one day. That's what is being investigated. And are there common denominators?

Let's talk now with our panel of experts here. I'm joined by Tom Fuentes, CNN's senior law enforcement analyst and a former assistant director at the FBI. David Rohde is a CNN global affairs analyst and a national security investigations editor for Reuters. And Matthew Horace and Art Roderick also back with me, CNN law enforcement analysts.

[10:15:12] All right, good to see you all of you, gentlemen. All right, so, Tom, let's talk about the common thread, if there are indeed those. You've got to Minnesota attack and someone who ISIS is claiming is a soldier of ISIS. He was shot dead by an off duty police officer. Nine people who were injured in stabbings.

And then of course, you've got explosions in New Jersey and New York. While they are different devices, one a series of pipe bombs, the other, pressure cookers involved from our own reporting from Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz. They are both reporting from their sources that the commonalities there involve cell phones as a detonating devices. How do you assess all of these three? Do you see this as purely coincidence? Or, do you see that there are commonalities, a common thread?

TOM FUENTES, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, I think, Fredricka, it's going to take a lot more commonalities to start linking every event to, you know, to one group or one individual. So, I think that, yes, their cell phones may be involved. The fact that the same date was picked for all of these activities yesterday.

But, you know, we're going to have to wait and see more information about the way it was wired, the type of material, the powder, the packaging. There's a lot more that goes into these devices than the fact that they may have each had a cell phone to wire it up.

And the other information that's important here is what's on that phone. Are the phones -- were they purchased at the same location or the same company, or the same type? Do they have information on them? So, that'll be important as well.

WHITFIELD: All right. The FBI calling the Minnesota attack a potential act of terrorism. The New Jersey and New York governors both classifying the explosions as acts of terror. How might all of that influence the investigations moving forward, the cooperation between federal and local authorities?

ART RODERICK, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, I think what we hear from the public officials is not really what's going on in the investigation. It's not going to really affect the investigation. We've already heard JTTFs in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota are all in charge of these investigations. So, that tells you right out front that there's going to be basis for coordination going on between all these three investigations.

What's interesting is that each one of these incidents, there are tactics used by terrorists involved in all three of these incidences. Whether it's using a cell phone as an igniter device or using a secondary device to possibly kill individuals coming as first responders. Or, in the case of Minnesota, you've got an individual using a knife in a security guard's uniform, which is, we talked about in the past has been used in Africa and in the Middle East.

So, all of them have traces of tactics used by a terrorist groups. It's going to be a matter of nailing down exactly what's going on. The details on the use of the phones and what type of explosives were in each one of these devices and what type of contact this individual in Minnesota had was inspired or directed.

WHITFIELD: And Matthew, the JTTF, the Joint Terror Task Force, how taxing is it on the resources that you have, these three very sizable investigations simultaneous?

MATTHEW HORACE, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, it is. But, you know, we have a tremendous amount of resources within the scope of the federal government. We've been there before and understand that arson and explosive investigations are very complex. They're very time consuming. They require good investigators who go into these with an open mind, but prepared to take all the information, analyze it, evaluate it, investigate it until we put someone in handcuffs.

WHITFIELD: David, what still needs to be known, you know, about the commonalities in terms of, if the inspiration is the same in terms of how these were carried out.

DAVID ROHDE, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: I mean that's the chance that it was all inspired, you know, potentially by ISIS maybe. But, these are three very different attacks. You've got, you know, a suicidal attacker in Minnesota who was shot three times by an officer there. That's determined to do that.

I would say the, you know, then you have this Chelsea attack, where one bomb does off. The second bomb didn't work. It's kind of strange, I mean, we were talking about, it was left on 27th Street. That's not a very busy area. Why was it there?

If you got a chance to set off, you know, a pressure cooker bomb in New York, why not Times Square, Ground Zero? It's a strange choice of target, Chelsea.

And then lastly, the New Jersey attack, that's a crude bomb. Again, I talked to Matthew again, it's a pipe bomb, one went off, it was so weak that it didn't set off the other two pipe bombs. The only good news is there's all these devices left. There's lots of evidence to look at the one that didn't off in New York, the one that -- the two that didn't go off in New Jersey. I think they'll get to the bottom of this, but it'll just take time. But they're all very different.

[10:20:07] WHITFIELD: That all of these devices and method are so different. Is that what sets them apart in terms of distinguishing whether they're may be unrelated or does it simply matter?

ROHDE: It's hard to think that these three were part of some grand plot. It's very early. There could be, I mean ...

WHITFIELD: Because they're executed so differently?

ROHDE: Yes.

WHITFIELD: You tell me the devices are so different method.

ROHDE: And the internet is maddening because it can instantly radicalize people. But there's lots of information online. And we can track down and, you know, so we got all this internet traffic possibly telephone traffic and then the bombs themselves which could have fingerprints on them, DNA. You know, it's going to take time, but I think we'll find out what happened.

HORACE: And we learned very early on, not to draw any conclusions as we go into investigations. We allow the information and intelligence to drive our actions not the other way around. So, things may seem one way, but they may in fact be a total other way. And that's why it requires patience and just enduring spirit on the part of the law enforcement.

WHITFIELD: OK. And, you know, Tom, the distinguishing similarities here that the CNN is reporting, talking about this cell phone as a possible similarity between New York and New Jersey, at the same time most devices, explosive devices will have the use of cell phones, but what kind of important forensic material could be extrapolated from the remnants of these phones in your view?

FUENTES: Well, I think what's in the memory of those phones, if they can get into the memory, which may be another issue whether they're encrypted and they can't get through it, you know, that may hold valuable data. But I'd like to reinforce what Matt just said about, you know, we're very quick to try to come up with answers right now. What could this be? How could it be? And he's right. The investigation has to take its course without having a preconceived notion of what exactly occurred because then sub consciously the investigators are they're to prove themselves correct instead of going where the case leads them. And it's just too soon for much of the types of questions that we have. They're great questions, it's just that they're not going to be quickly answered.

WHITFIELD: Art?

RODERICK: Yeah, I think also we're hearing information that law enforcement is telling us. Obviously, they know a lot more than what they're letting on to us. So they're in the middle of the investigation. I'm sure they have a lot more information. As was mentioned earlier, you know, even though they might have a hazy video very close to the explosion, I mean, they've got plenty of video cameras coming in and out of the area.

I agree that the area that they picked is pretty unusual. If they wanted to have a huge impact ...

WHITFIELD: You're talking about the New York, Chelsea neighborhood?

RODERICK: Yes, exactly. I mean, they could have picked an area with a lot more foot traffic to have a bigger impact.

So, a lot of these things are weighing into one another. And I think I agree with the panel that as we move along, you know, the Minnesota case is over and done with for all intents and purposes. I mean, they could take your time and put this together, but we still got a major threat going on here with the Chelsea bombing and then the New Jersey bombing because we do not have, or at least the public doesn't know of any suspects yet. And there's still a potential threat out there.

WHITFIELD: OK, Evan Perez with us now ahead at Washington. So, Evan, we know from your reporting all morning long that your sources have told you about these commonalities, namely, the cellular phones in the New Jersey and New York devices similarities. However, no one is linking these incidents as yet. Correct?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. They're still -- some work to be done to try to figure out whether or not there's more of a connection here. As we pointed out, you know, there's no firm conclusions. I mean, it's obviously that the fact you have cell phone with the same type and same make that were being used in these three devices in New Jersey and the ones in New York, raises the antenna of these investigations. They want to make sure, OK how is this related.

And, you know, as you pointed out, there's some differences including the fact the ones in New Jersey were made with pipe bombs using black powder. We don't know what the material, what the explosive material was that was found in the bombs in New York City. But you begin to sort of, you know, you have to take that into account, the fact that both of these incidents happened on the same day, is the same -- is another reason why I think authorities are again trying to see what similarities there are, what connections there possibly may be here.

And I understand, you know, the politicians there in New York want to reassure people. I think Mayor de Blasio since yesterday has been kind of underplaying the possibility of terrorism here. I'm not sure why necessarily. I think people there in New York are a little bit on edge and they have a reason to be. There is somebody who has placed devices. One of them has blown up, hurt a lot of people. Someone's on the loss.

[15:25:07] And so, I think, the FBI and the NYPD are definitely looking at this as possible terrorist incident. This is the mechanism that they have to investigate these incidents. No one's making any firm conclusions, but I think the mayor perhaps is twisting himself into a pretzel for no particular reason.

WHITFIELD: All right, gentlemen, thank you so much. We're not done with this conversation. We're taking a short break for now. However, tomorrow will likely be very challenging.

Millions of New Yorkers returning to work following this weekend's explosions here. New York City Councilman Corey Johnson joining me next to talk about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in New York. There's a very visible police presence on the streets of New York today after last night's explosion. And that, of course, will continue this week especially with the U.N. General Assembly underway. That was already going to be the case, but now, it's heightened even further.

I want to welcome a New York City Councilman, Corey Johnson, right now.

You were actually on the streets, just a few blocks away from the 23rd, and 9th is where you were. 23rd and 6th is actually where the explosion took place at 8:30 last night. You heard it. And you were leaving a restaurant, but what did your instincts tell you what's happening?

[15:30:02] COREY JOHNSON, NEW YORK CITY COUNCILMAN: Well, when I first realized that something had happened, then I started getting text messages from constituents and folks that live in the neighborhood. And not even the immediate neighborhood, blocks and blocks away, people saying did you hear that, did you feel that.

I initially thought it was probably a gas explosion as we saw in East Harlem and East Village over the last couple of years in New York City. But when I got to the scene about five minutes later, it was clear that something else was going on.

WHITFIELD: What did you see when you got there?

JOHNSON: When I got there the police were just cordoning off the scene. So, I got to 23rd Street in 7th Avenue. I live a few blocks from there. And when I got there, the police were cordoning it off. There were over a dozen fire trucks, ambulances.

WHITFIELD: Did you see any people injured who are walking?

JOHNSON: I didn't see anyone injured. I mean, the good news today is that 29 injuries, all 29 people have been released. I actually know one of the people that was injured. He works at the city council and he was injured.

WHITFIELD: What kind of injuries did he sustain?

JOHNSON: He sustained cuts on his head and on his back. He was bleeding quite a lot. And he was across the street. He wasn't even right next to the dumpster. It showed the size and scope of the explosion.

WHITFIELD: The governor says this is obviously an act of terror. New Jersey governor is speaking of the same in terms of the Seaside Park devices and explosion there. Does it concern you or even your constituents? Does it even matter that it's the Mayor of New York who is saying, you know, this is intentional, but he's not willing to say whether it's terrorism, labeled it terrorism yet. Does it matter? Is it concerning to anyone?

JOHNSON: Well, I mean, I'm not at an expert on terrorism, I want to leave that to the folks that are, but I would just say that, you know, this was meant to strike fear and terror in people. Whoever did this was trying to disrupt our daily lives in New York City.

Maybe it's not linked to ISIS, maybe it's not linked to al-Qaeda at this point. None of those terrorist networks have said that they are the ones that are behind it. But in the heart of downtown Manhattan, in a densely residential neighborhood where 29 were injured on a warm Saturday night, this is clearly something that was trying to strike people and really hurt and maim people.

It is a miracle that there were no fatalities. And then what made it even worse and more terrifying was the second device that was found four blocks north on a ...

WHITFIELD: Undetonated.

JOHNSON: Undetonated.

WHITFIELD: Pressure cooker. JOHNSON: Pressure cooker. And, you know, it's a miracle that that didn't go off.

Just to give folks some context, folks that don't live here in New York City, you know, Chelsea is probably the largest LGBT community in the city of New York. It is a wonderful, closely tight knit community. This block is a block with residences on both sides, large buildings, small businesses, restaurants and cafes.

And the building that this took place in front of is the Association for the Blind, 210 units for people who are visually impaired or blind. Their windows were blown out. These are people who are disabled and who've had to live through this terrifying experience. The neighborhood is still trying to recover and people are still on edge.

WHITFIELD: So what kind of assurances do you try to offer to your constituents, your neighbors there, with the governor saying there will be more National Guard, more state troopers, visible forces on the streets being vigilant, really leaving no stone unturned. How does that allay the fears, offer comfort to your neighbors?

JOHNSON: I would just say the strange thing about all of this is that West 23rd Street is not something someone would think of as a target. It's not the World Trade Center, it's not Times Square. There are no police facilities or military facilities on the block. It is -- I love the block but it's sort of a non discrete run-of-the-mill block. It's nothing that anyone would think should be a target.

So what I would say to people is that people should be cautious. People should still live their lives. But if they see something, if they hear something, if they see something suspicious, the FBI is on this, Homeland Security is on this, the NYPD is on this, city, state and federal authorities are now coordinated.

I am glad the mayor and governor came to the scene this morning, walked and talked to residents and small business owners. We want to ensure they get the evidence they need, but also let Chelsea come back to some a semblance of normal daily life and that's going to take a little while.

WHITFIELD: Vigilance is still the key for everybody. All right, thank you so much, New York City Councilman Corey Johnson. Good to see you. Appreciate it.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, and stay with us because we are now getting a new look at the New York City explosion. We'll show you what video next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:37:59] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Brand new video just in to CNN at the moment. That explosion rocked the New York City neighborhood of Chelsea. And you could see right there, people walking down the sidewalk going about their evening experience. And now see that car that stopped in the street there, and there of course, you see the explosion directly behind it. And you can see then the aftermath. People are running and cars start speeding through.

Officials are calling this, particularly the New York City Mayor, an intentional act, but say there is no evidence that it is linked to international terrorism.

Let's talk more about this, the analysis of this video as you see, the explosion and response unfolding. I'm joined now by Tom Fuentes, CNN senior law enforcement analyst and a former assistant director at the FBI, David Rohde, as the CNN global affairs analyst and a national security investigations, editor of the Reuters, and Matthew Horace and Art Roderick, are both CNN law enforcement analysts.

All right, good to see both of you, all of you back. So, Art, you first. What do you see in that video? How will investigators continue to analyze surveillance video from so many different angles there in the Chelsea community and how will it help them piece together who may be responsible, how it all unfolded, the sequence of events?

RODERICK: Well, I mean, it's a good sign that we have video of the explosion because -- and it's a pretty clear video right there. So, they're going to go back and look at what happened prior, who was walking around there, who entered that, looks like an alleyway there, to place the device.

Again, I think placement of the device here is going to be key because it looks like it's kind of off the main road right there. But if they've got this good of video right now, I'm sure they have video cameras in other locations that could possibly link an individual with that particular device planted at that location.

WHITFIELD: And then, Tom, what about the field of debris? Again, we're looking at it kind of slow mo there and you see those pieces of debris with some distance right there in our foreground. How does that help investigators understand what kind of components device they're dealing with?

[15:40:10] FUENTES: Well, I think it tells them that they have a large area to try to cover to look for debris. You know, last night, you know, when it's dark and you're trying look at areas that maybe aren't as well lit as these sidewalk, it's hard to determine how far the debris has gone.

So, the video here would give them an indication that it's gone a pretty long distance from the site of the blast and that there could be debris on rooftops and other areas in that neighborhood than just down on the sidewalk or at street level.

WHITFIELD: And Matthew, what do you see in that surveillance video and potentially other angles to help piece together this entire picture?

HORACE: Well, several things come to mind. We're looking at a video that has been released. The NYPD and the JTTF have other videos that they're looking at. You also see that white smoke. We talked about black powder and the characteristics of black powder explosions where you see that plume of white smoke. We see that here so that tells me that more than likely, there is some sort of black powder involved with this explosion.

They'll analyze that vehicle that you see there but also who was in that area before the explosion, even some of the people who are running. Where were they before the explosion and after? Where would that vehicle before and after and the other vehicles? So, these are things that will be evaluated.

WHITFIELD: And then, David, largely a residential area here in Chelsea and of course the question being asked, you heard it from the councilman just a moment ago, you know, why this area in particular? How will investigators try to ascertain whether this was the intent of whoever is responsible or whether there is a link to a terror group because of the location selected?

ROHDE: It's strange. We talked about this in the last segment. There's more prominent areas in New York to do this. They put this device in a dumpster. Again, I was talking with Matt earlier, you know, it wasn't powerful enough to turn that dumpster into a, you know, a huge source of shrapnel itself.

Again, it's -- what was this person thinking? It doesn't seem like it's the greatest target possibly. You know, Chelsea's known, as was brought up earlier today, it's a, in some ways, a predominantly gay neighborhood. But this area wasn't filled with sort of gay bars.

It's very curious the choice of location and the second device. Why leave it, you know, I know that area well. I lived down there for quite a while earlier in my life. 27th Street is almost deserted. Did they get spooked? Why did they leave it halfway up on the block. That device didn't even detonate, you know.

This person's out there. They succeed because we're all talking about this tape and they've terrified people. But, there's questions about their methodology here. Something clearly went wrong with the second device.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. So, Tom, you know, what David is saying, strikes me is interesting too when you talk about the dumpster. Again, the device that did successfully explode placed in the dumpster, is it your feeling as you -- your colleagues investigate that it was the hope that that dumpster would help elicit more shrapnel, make the explosion even bigger than it could potentially be or simply to hide it from the plain view of passers by?

FUENTES: Could be any of the above. We just don't know. If they put it in a dumpster like that that dumpster would help act like a containment vessel. It may have reduced the lateral concussion indoor shrapnel from going across that sidewalk and inflicting fatal injuries on the people on that sidewalk and nearby.

So, it would have directed much of the blast to go upward, out the opening of the dumpsters that are laterally across the street and across that sidewalk so that could be. But, you know, that's assuming that these are genius bomb makers and they've got all these things figured out. We just don't know that either at this point.

WHITFIELD: And Matthew, I see you and David both nodding to, you know, the notion of making their making the explosion bigger or the use of it. What strikes you as interesting here?

HORACE: Well, typically, if you look back in time, bombers tend to use receptacles as concealment and cover to their devices. Why? Because it's easy to take a bag and put it a receptacle and no one even looks at it twice. So you put a bag in a dumpster or bag in a trash receptacle on a street and no one even thinks about it. If you took a bag and dropped it in the middle of Times Square someone's going to see that especially in our current climate and they're going to think it's suspicious. But, this happened again and that -- the space where there were more explosives or a higher precaution, this could have been more tragic that it was.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank you, gentlemen. We'll continue our conversation, Tom Fuentes, Art Roderick, Matthew Horace and David Rohde. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:48:03] WHITFIELD: Well, welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in New York.

So, three possible terror attacks on U.S. soil in one day. In Minnesota, nine people stabbed at a shopping mall in St. Cloud. We've also just learned the FBI's investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. And ISIS is claiming the attack was carried out by a "soldier of the Islamic state." And that suspect was shot down dead by an off duty police officer.

And then in New York, multiple law enforcement officials saying there are similarities between the bomb that went off in Manhattan last night and the one in Seaside Park, New Jersey earlier in the day. However, officials have not concluded that the incidents are connected.

Meantime, a diplomatic firestorm is erupting after U.S.-led coalition air strikes accidentally killed and wounded dozens of Syrian soldiers. The bombing prompted Russia to call an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council last night. The U.S. is expressing regret over the incident. Central command says they were after ISIS targets at the time.

CNN's Global Affair Correspondent Elise Labott joining me now with more on this.

So you had an exclusive interview with Secretary of State John Kerry. How does he explain all of this?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIR CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, you heard Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. last night. She was calling this as a stunt. She was pulling no punches. And that Russia came back and said this is a ploy to end the ceasefire and end cooperation.

And I asked Secretary Kerry about that. And he seemed to say that's a very cynical view of looking at it and called on the Russian, really said it was the Russians to blame. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: The biggest judgment they need to make is stop Assad from bombing people indiscriminately, which he continues to do. And if you are serious about having a ceasefire, and they say they are, then they should keep Assad from flying right now and prove their sincerity about a ceasefire.

But to allow Assad, who is a spoiler, he doesn't want a ceasefire. To allow him to continue to go after opposition pretending that they are Nusra, is in and of itself a huge challenge to this effort.

[15:50:15] So we call on Russia to stop the grand standing, stop the show boating, and get the humanitarian assistance going. It is now Sunday morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

KERRY: This started Monday night of last -- of this past week. And the humanitarian assistance is supposed to be flowing. The regime, once again, is blocking it.

So Russia's client, Russia's supported friend, is the single biggest blockade to the ability to move forward here. And the opposition feels threatened because the bombs continue even as there is supposed to be a cessation of hostility.

So let me just say this clearly, Russia signed up to a cessation of hostility. Assad said he would live by it. Then he needs to stop and let the Joint Implementation Center get set up, so Russia and the United States can coordinate in order to avoid the kind of terrible thing that happened yesterday, which we all acknowledge and regret.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LABOTT: So, some very tough words there from Secretary Kerry. Essentially saying that, you know, what they're calling essentially a mistake is really because the Russians are not cracking down on the regime like they said they would, and not letting that aid get through so this ceasefire can move into the next phase, which is the U.S. and Russia working together not only to end the violence in Syria but to jointly go after these ISIS and Al-Nusra Front threats. So this ceasefire really very shaky right now.

WHITFIELD: Is there lost hope on this ceasefire?

LABOTT: Well, I asked the Secretary Kerry that. I said, how long are you going to give this. You know, you wanted seven days of quiet, you haven't had one day of quiet. You haven't seen one aid convoy go through. He said, "You know, listen, we know it's imperfect. We have to give it a test." I asked him, "It seems like they're answering your test." And he said, "We're not ready to pull the plug yet." And why is that? Because really, Fred, they have no other options, no other alternative.

President Obama has said he does not want to get more militarily involved. So, really, the only option for the U.S. right now is to work with the Russians, as imperfect as it may be, to try to calm the violence and more importantly, get some of this aid in, because, especially in Aleppo, the Syrian civilians are really in bad shape.

WHITFIELD: Is there kind of an imposed deadline on the ceasefire? If it doesn't work by this point, then you got to call it a failure or start over?

LABOTT: Not really. I mean, Secretary Kerry said you need seven days of consecutive quiet. And so they have not ...

WHITFIELD: Whenever the first day begins.

LABOTT: Whenever the clock starts ticking. So, you haven't had one day. And now, they're not saying necessarily quiet. They're saying it needs to be reduced violence.

I think if the U.S. were to see some of this aid get in and you had a little bit of reduced violence, they'd be more willing to work with the Russians. But still, the Pentagon, very weary of this agreement, very weary of working with the Russians. So, even if the violence has calmed down and you get some of that aid through, still have a Pentagon who is going to be, in effect, carrying out this agreement that is very reluctant to work with the Russians. So, it's not looking good.

WHITFIELD: Meantime, these poor people hanging in the balance, who were desperate for aid.

LABOTT: Who are really the victims here.

WHITFIELD: Yeah. All right, Elise Labott, thank you so much. Appreciate that.

All right, the next hour of the "CNN Newsroom" begins right after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:57:05] WHITFIELD: All right, we've learned that all 29 victims injured in that New York explosion have now been released from the hospital. Witnesses say the powerful blast blew out windows, sending glass and debris flying in all directions. And here's how some of the survivors and witnesses describe the moment and the aftermath.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN BROOKS, WITNESSED EXPLOSION: I felt a loud explosion and it felt like a lightning bolt struck the building. It like shook the grounds. And everyone ran out of the restaurant into the streets. The whole city was in the street.

I've never seen so many cops drive the wrong way, fire trucks, undercover cops, cops driving the wrong way aggressively like 20, 30 miles an hour up street of 7th Avenue. Close everything down. People smelled smoke. First, they though it was a building collapsed, then we heard it was an IED and everything else that was on Twitter but the whole neighborhood shutdown.

MARTINEZ: I'll just tell you vaguely what I remember. I was driving a car and next thing you know I felt an explosion and the car just tilted over. Halfway it came back down. And what happened was I just blacked out. Next thing you know, I'm in an ambulance.

AIDEN LESLIE, WITNESS: I just heard a loud explosion. It literally shook the walls of my apartment. So I knew in that moment that it was abnormal. This is not something, you know, this was not right. Something was terribly wrong.

And at that moment, I looked out my window just to see if I could see anything. There were other neighbors looking out of their windows, asking me if I was OK. It was a very chaotic situation. And people were scared. People were on their phones. I mean, I was around for 9/11, you know, I remember walking down the West Side Highway and seeing kind of, you know, obviously not to this extreme, but it was very reminiscence of that kind of a feel.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, the fear, yeah.

LESLIE: People were scared. And you could see it on their faces.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hello again, everyone and thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredericka Whitfield in New York.

We're working on major breaking news stories for you this hour. Police in St. Cloud, Minnesota, saying they are investigating the stabbing of nine people at a mall as a potential act of terrorism. ISIS now claiming the attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic state. The suspect was shot dead by an off duty police officer. And we now have brand new video of the moment that explosion rocked the New York City neighborhood of Chelsea. Take a look.

You're going to see that that car that stopped in the middle of the street, it's happening behind it, an explosion right there. And then you're going to see people scattering just as you see the debris scattering. People running away. Cars speeding.

Investigators are now saying they have found similarities between that device in New York and the one that exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, on the same day this weekend before a Marine Corps charity 5k run. However, the investigators have not concluded that the incidence in New York and New Jersey are connected.

For more on the breaking news out of New York, I want to bring in CNN's Deb Feyerick as she is at scene of the explosion there last night.