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Capitol Hill Reacts to Today's Shooting in Virginia; Bernie Sanders Speaks Out Against Shooter; New Details on Congressman's Shooter; Interview with Rep. Dan Kildee. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired June 14, 2017 - 13:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:32:27] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: On Capitol Hill, the news of today's shooting certainly left members of Congress understandably shocked and horrified. But it also led to a rare display of unity and support for the victims.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PAUL RYAN, (R-WI), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: We are united. We are united in our shock. We are united in our anguish. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

(APPLAUSE)

SEN. MITCH MCCONNEL, (R-KY), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: We're deeply saddened. We're all concerned for those injured. We will keep them in their prayers. And we'll continue to send them every wish for a quick and full recovery.

REX TILLERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE: Congressman Scalise is a friend of mine. He's a friend, and represents many friends of mine back in Louisiana. My prayers and those of my colleagues at the State Department are with the injured and with those members of law enforcement who responded to this morning's attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's go to correspondent, Ryan Nobles, up on Capitol Hill right now.

Ryan, you had a chance to speak with another Republican Congressman who was there on the scene at this baseball practice this morning.

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's right, Wolf. I talked to Congressman Mark Walker. This was after the meeting that was held this morning with all members of the House where they were briefed on exactly what happened on that baseball field. And there was a remarkable show of unity in that meeting. That's when all the members in Congress, Republican and Democrat, held hands and bowed for a moment of prayer.

It was Congressman Walker who led that prayer. I talked to him about it afterwards. This is what he had to say. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MARK WALKER, (R), NORTH CAROLINA: There's some anger right now that this is happening. And as a former pastor, who offered counseling over the years, there's a range of emotions. It comes and goes, especially with some of the guys realizing how they were a target, how close to death they were today, with a gentleman coming all the way from Illinois to actually do the research to know where we were practicing.

NOBLES: What about you personally knowing you were that close to being shot?

WALKER: Well, it's disconcerting, but grateful that I had finished pitching at the time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[13:34:51] NOBLES: And you heard Congressman Walker talking about his experience on that baseball field. He is the starting pitcher for the Republican team. He just left the field before the shooting started. It's the congressman's feeling, had those capitol police officers not been there to put an end to this situation that as many as 20 members of Congress would be dead today.

He obviously, like many of us up here, continues to be shaken by what happened this morning. It's an odd place to be here. Wolf, usually, these members are confident and understand what they're talking about and they're prepared to speak about a number of issues, but many of them, to a certain extent, are at a loss for words.

BLITZER: There are 34 Republican members on that Republican baseball team, 34. And as you point out, maybe 20 or 25, maybe more were at that practice this morning.

All right, Ryan, thanks very much.

The congressional baseball game is designed to raise money for important charities, especially for kids. It will go on tomorrow night at Washington Nationals Park despite today's shooting at the Republican practice.

A team of Democrats was also, by the way, practicing this morning at a different location.

Joining us now, Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee, of Michigan.

You were practicing this morning, getting ready for the big game tomorrow night, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities in the Washington, D.C., area.

What was your reaction? How did you hear about this?

REP. DAN KILDEE, (D), MICHIGAN: We were stunned. Our coach, Mike Doyle, of Pennsylvania, called us in off the field into the dugout and gave us the news. Of course, we didn't really know what to expect or what was happening. There were some police officers there from Gallaudet University. We stayed in place for a while. It didn't take very long before the team gathered together, put our arms around one another and prayed for Steve Scalise and the others who were injured.

BLITZER: Do you normally have any security when the Democratic baseball team, you practice at Gallaudet.

KILDEE: We do on occasion. We don't have a member of the senior leadership who plays on the team. We don't have anybody with protection detail the way Mr. Scalise does. Thank god in this case that was the case that he had his detail there because they clearly saved many, many lives. By their acts of heroism.

BLITZER: Do you think you guys should come around with some security?

KILDEE: We have to look at it particularly when there are a number of members gathered in one place. It would be tough to provide to every member of Congress. When there are a number together, it may be something we have to do.

BLITZER: As you know, Bernie Sanders was on the Senate floor speaking about this individual, James Hodgkinson, the 66-year-old man, who is now dead. He was shot and killed by police. He's the one who aimed that rifle at all those Republican members of Congress practicing baseball.

I want you to listen to what Senator Sanders said just a little while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I), VERMONT & FORMER DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball practice this morning is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign. I am sickened by this despicable act. And let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. And I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. Real change can only come about through nonviolent action and anything else runs counter to our most deeply held American values.

I know I speak for the entire country in saying that my hopes and prayers are that Representative Scalise, congressional staff, and the capitol police officers who were wounded make a quick and full recovery.

I also want to thank the capitol police for their heroic actions to prevent further harm.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The shooter was very anti-Republican, according to his social media posts. He was a big Bernie Sanders supporters during the campaign. Once again, according to his social media posts.

The level of discourse, the vitriol we're seeing in the country right now, how worried are you about ha?

KILDEE: It's something we have to address. I was in the meeting this morning with the sergeant at arms and the capitol police. Democrats and Republicans shared that sentiment that we have to take some measures to have bring the tone of our political debate back to a place that doesn't inflame people who can't control themselves. There's no place for violence in our political system.

But I do think it is true that, as a nation, the tone of political speech has gotten beyond the point that, you know, that it should be at. We need I think, as responsible Democrats and Republicans to put the country first. Not that this was caused by that. But I think we do have to recognize that the tone of political speech contributes to the tone out in the country. We have to do something about that.

[13:40:07] BLITZER: The game will go on tomorrow night. You've heard that. You'll be there I assume representing playing on the Democratic team.

KILDEE: I'll be there. I think it's right the game goes on. This is an act of bipartisanship and I think now transcends that. It will be an act of unity that the Republicans and Democrats take the field in an act of charity for people less well off. I don't think there's a better way to honor those people who put themselves in harm's way and to stand up for Steve Scalise, one of our own, and say, look, we're not going to let this terrible act prevent us from doing good and doing it well together.

BLITZER: Steve Scalise and four other victims, as well, who are in hospitals, local hospitals right now.

Good luck tomorrow night. Thanks so much for joining us.

KILDEE: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Up next, we're learning more details right now about the shooter and his motive. Plus, calls for a security overhaul. All that and much more as our special coverage continues.

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[13:45:29] BLITZER: Updating the breaking news we're following. A congressional leader and four other people shot and wounded during a charity baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.

Here is what we know right now. President Trump announced just a little while ago that the gunman has died from injuries he sustained in the shoot-out with police. Authorities have identified the gunman as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, of Belleville, Illinois. According to a law enforcement source, investigators found anti-Trump postings on his social media page. He was also a supporter of the presidential -- Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders.

The gunman opened fire on Republican lawmakers during the early morning baseball practice in Alexandria. Lawmakers were getting ready for a charity game tomorrow night. They say the game will go on at Washington Nationals Park tomorrow night as planned.

Those shot and wounded include the House majority whip, Steve Scalise. President Trump today called the Congressman a patriot and a fighter.

The man who shot Congressman Steve Scalise and four others was very active on social media. There were recent posts like this one, for example, on Facebook. Quote, "Trump is a traitor. Trump has destroyed our democracy. It's time to destroy Trump and company." In February, he posted this, quote, "Republicans are the Taliban of the USA."

Here with us right now, Tom Fuentes, our senior law enforcement analyst, former FBI assistant director; and law enforcement analyst, Charles Ramsey, the former District of Columbia police chief and police commissioner in Philadelphia; from Sacramento, California, Andre Guillerm, former U.S. capitol police officer in Alexandria; Art Roderick, our law enforcement analyst and former U.S. marshal.

Well, Art, let me start with you.

The social media posts I just read by the shooter, very anti-Trump threatening violence in those posts. What, if anything, does law enforcement do about that?

ART RODERICK, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, somebody should have notified law enforcement that he was making some threats against the president. I mean, that, number one, is key. And that would involve the Secret Service. I'm sorry, it would have involved the Secret Service to come out and at least talk to him. I know that usually the Secret Service when they do that is able to foil a lot of these types of plots to at least let these individuals know that law enforcement is looking at them.

I think what this individual is looking for and what he didn't find is a real soft target. And you know, during my time in the U.S. marshals, I've provided assistance on protection details for congressman and Senators based on calls from capitol police. This is a worst-case scenario for capitol police. They've got to start looking at large gatherings of large gatherings of congressmen and Senators and figure out, with mutual aid, with assistance from other law enforcement officers, how to protect gatherings like these.

BLITZER: Because, Tom Fuentes, Trump, he posted on Facebook, quote, "Trump is a traitor. Trump has destroyed our democracy. It's time to destroy Trump and company."

That sounds like a threat to the president of the United States, which is a crime, and should have been investigated.

TOM FUENTES, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: That is a threat. I agree completely that should have been reported by somebody to the Secret Service if they didn't get it directly. It should have been dealt with. Those remarks about destroying the president are chilling.

The other question that the Secret Service should answer is how many of these are they getting a day from all over the country. This could be one of thousands, which is a nightmare for them to try to deal with every person posting that kind of stuff.

BLITZER: Chief Ramsey, you see a threat like that, you're supposed to respond. You can't threaten to kill the president of the United States.

CHARLES RAMSEY, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, that's when you know. But there are millions of posts out there in cyber space. You can't be aware of every single one of them. That's why it's so important when people read this stuff, don't take it lightly. Report it, so it can be followed up on. Somebody actually saw that post and probably just said, oh, well, he's just disgruntled or whatever. You got to take these things seriously.

BLITZER: You certainly do.

Shimon Prokupecz is joining us right now, our crime and justice producer.

Shimon, you've learned more about the shooter's criminal record and background. What are you learning?

[13:50:48] SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE PRODUCER: Yes, that's right. Just like investigators, the FBI, pouring over records to try to determine his background and see any kind of activity he's had with law enforcement. We have a team doing the same. And what we've learned is back in 2006, the alleged shooter was involved in an incident where he was charged with domestic battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and two counts of battery. It appears, eventually, these charges were dismissed. The victim, according to the police report, was his girlfriend. He punched his girlfriend -- this is what the report said - "and hit him with a wooden stick of the gun." This is not his girlfriend but it was believed to be a man who he was fighting with, this was his girlfriend. The man's girlfriend, the report says was at home. And apparently, the shooter, Hodgkinson, attacked her and there was a fight. And, essentially, the charges were dismissed.

In looking back at other contacts he's had with law enforcement, relatively minor, some traffic violations. There was a DWI charge, as well that was eventually also dismissed. But you know, this appears, this incident from 2006 that was eventually dismissed, appears to be the most serious one -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Thanks very much.

Let me bring in Andre Guillerm, former U.S. capitol police officer.

If someone posts, quote, "Republicans are the Taliban of the USA," and earlier, another post on Facebook that says, "It's time to destroy Trump and company," what do Capitol Hill police do about that if somebody notices it?

ANDRE GUILLERM, FORMER CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER: They have protective intel services that would monitor those threats and investigate them further. But I can tell you one thing that they didn't have to deal with during my time with capitol police was social media. I can't imagine the number of Facebook posts, tweets and Instagram, Snapchat, you name it. It's a tough field to crack and find those credible threats.

BLITZER: Do you think, Andre, they need to strengthen Capitol Hill police protection now not just of members when they're in Washington but when they go back to their districts and states?

GUILLERM: I think, as was touched on earlier, mutual aid is going to be key. They prioritize protection details as needed, but we've seen the vitriol at the events that happen at town halls. It's going to have to be addressed. We'll have to rely more on local agencies.

BLITZER: Let me play this clip.

Tom, I want you to listen.

This is Congressman Rodney Davis, thinking about the shooting and the nature of the political rhetoric we're all now hearing. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. RODNEY DAVIS, (R), ILLINOIS: I never thought I'd play a baseball game for charity, go to practice at 6:30 in the morning, and have to dodge bullets. The Republicans and Democrats need to use this day today to say, stop, let's work together and get things done. We can have our differences but let's not it lead to such hate.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: How are you feeling right now?

DAVIS: I'm angry. I got back to my office after staying out there for too long, but necessary, because it was a crime scene. I've never been in one before. I went back to my office. And I took the chance to come down here because I want to talk to people about what I witnessed and about the effect it should have as we move forward as a country. That's why I'm here, bloodied, in my uniform still, not had a chance to go clean up, because it's that important that a message gets out that the hatefulness, this political rhetoric hate and consider -- I'll let the witnesses describe it. But this could be the first political rhetorical terrorist attack, and that has to stop. It has to change. This has to be a breaking point. I asked a question earlier, is this America's breaking point when it comes to the political rhetoric that's become so hateful? It's my breaking point. That's why I'm talking to you today. We've got to end this. We've got to stop it. Because I watched my friend and my fellow member, Steve Scalise, lay motionless on the field wondering if he was going to be OK. That is a picture I will never forget.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Powerful words from Republican Congressman Rodney Davis of Illinois. Do you agree with him?

FUENTES: I hope it's true that they do dial down the rhetoric and try to have a more collegial effort on the Hill to work on the nation's issues. But after 9/11, we saw members of Congress on the steps of the capitol holding hands, singing "God bless America," but that didn't last forever. So that's my concern, is how long will this last, the --

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: This is a moment, Chief, that the country, hopefully, can at least get partially back together.

RAMSEY: We've had a lot of moments that didn't necessarily result in any kind of lasting change. I remember the talk about guns after Sandy Hook. I remember after Gabby Giffords was shot. You can go on and on and on. And for a couple months, it's there. After a while, it goes away. Hopefully, civility is something that everybody begins to adhere to.

[13:55:07] BLITZER: Yeah, hopefully.

Guys, thanks very much. Charles Ramsey, Tom Fuentes, Andre Guillerm and Art Roderick, thank you very much.

That's it for me. I'll be back at 5:00 p.m. eastern in "The Situation Room."

We're continuing to follow the breaking news, our breaking coverage of the shooting of Congressman Steve Scalise and four others, who were simply at a baseball practice early this morning, getting ready for a big game between Republican members of Congress versus Democrat members of Congress tomorrow night.

Our breaking news coverage will continue right after a quick break.

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[14:00:01] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

KEILAR: Hello, I'm Brianna Keilar. And I'm coming to you from a very shaken U.S. Capitol Hill right now. Louisiana Congress Steve Scalise, the third ranking --