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FBI Digging Deeper into the Background of Orlando Shooter; Former Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi Sentenced To Life in Prison in Espionage Case; New Video Shows Downtown Fallujah,; Rio Authorities are Declaring A Financial State Of Emergency; Elizabeth Warren Slamming Donald Trump in New Hampshire Today; A Firearms Festival; Russian President Vladimir Putin Says His Country Prepared To Work With Any Presidential Candidate; British MP Jo Cox Murdered. Aired 1- 2p ET

Aired June 18, 2016 - 13:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:00:29] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, again. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield live from Orlando, just about a block away from the Pulse nightclub, where tragedy unfolded a week ago. And now today, funerals are underway. Five more of the 49 who were killed in that attack will be laid to rest. Cory James Connell, Stanley Almodovar, Antonio Davon Brown, Joel Rayon Paniagua, and Luis Velma, all raid to rest today.

Meanwhile, the FBI is digging deeper into the background of the shooter, Omar Mateen. They spoke to an official at the mosque where he attended services since 2003. They're also reviewing surveillance video from inside the club at the time of the shooting. That video has not been released to the public.

I'm joined now by CNN's Ed Lavandera.

So, Ed, the video is going to be a critical piece of evidence for investigators who want to know everything that transpired, the criminology of events inside that nightclub.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, and it's quite lengthy, as you imagine. It's about three hours in all that they will be going through. It's hard to imagine that this is a videotape that will ever see the light of day, but it is obviously something that investigators want to take a much closer look at, as they try to piece together the timeline of what Omar Mateen did inside of the nightclub. So that will be crucial to them, as they continue to work and try to piece together the timelines and the bits and pieces of the life of Omar Mateen, to kind of figure out exactly what drove him and brought him here to the Pulse nightclub. And what is key in all of this, and crucial, is those days and weeks leading up to the attack here last weekend.

And what investigators have been piecing together is that Omar Mateen, that this isn't decided to do, at the spur of the moment. There seems to be many clues that point that this was a well-thought out, planned- out attack here at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. When some of the things that investigators and investigative source have been telling CNN over the last few days is that in the days leading up to the attack, that Omar Mateen had basically scouted out the location, that he had transferred, done a lot of paperwork in terms of putting bank accounts with his wife's names and life insurance policies with his wife's names, as well. So those types of things were being done, Fredricka, leading up to this attack, which is obviously something investigators want to take a much closer look at.

WHITFIELD: And the response to this tragedy was incredible. In fact, the Florida governor, Rick Scott, issued a letter. What does it say?

LAVANDERA: It was basically a letter from the first responders that arrived here on the scene, saved so many lives, despite the great loss of life that we saw here. There were many people who were saved and very heroic efforts in those hours where Omar Mateen was holed up inside of the nightclub. The governor of Florida, Rick Scott, issuing a letter to those first responders, thanking them for their valor, basically saying he was in awe of the work they did that night.

WHITFIELD: It was tremendous.

All right. Thank you so much, Ed Lavandera. We will see you again. Appreciate it.

All right. So amid the chaos following the shooting, we also saw a remarkable outpouring of support from really around the world. Here in Orlando, thousands lined up to donate blood at a local blood bank, giving more than 13,000 units in the first 48 hours.

But as CNN's Victor Blackwell reports, for the employees at one donation center in particular, the massacre inside the pulse nightclub was tragic and personal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANGEL COLON, PULSE SHOOTING VICTIM: There was a mixture of gunshots. There was a mixture of cuts. There was a mixture of everything mixed with the cuts. Because I was dragged over glass.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Angel Colon was being dragged out of pulse nightclub, he says he was not sure he would survive. Angel had been shot six times.

COLON: I was surprised I didn't faint, I didn't pass out. Because I lost so much blood.

BLACKWELL: He was one of dozens of victims rushed to Orlando regional medical center, all with gunshot wounds, many needing massive amounts of blood. Trauma surgeon Dr. Michael Cheatham was in the ER that night.

DR. MICHAEL CHEATHAM, CHIEF SURGICAL OFFICER, ORLANDO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: We had one patient that went through almost 200 units of blood, just in the first 24 hours.

BLACKWELL: One patient? CHEATHAM: One patient.

BLACKWELL: Anticipating the hospital's need, the team at one blood, the local blood bank, rushed over more units.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We needed to pull all hands on deck and bring everybody in.

BLACKWELL: Testing and processing and shipping those donations to save the lives of the pulse shooting victims, literally the entire team working 24 hours a day. Everyone except Rodolfo Ayala Ayala.

TAMEKA BROWNLEE, BIOLOGICAL MANUFACTURING, ONE BLOOD ORLANDO: I started calling his phone, hoping he wasn't there.

BLACKWELL: But the supervisor and friend they called Rody was at pulse when the shooting started.

[13:05:03] BROWNLEE: When he didn't answer the phone, I hoped he dropped the phone and tried to run for safety.

BLACKWELL: Hours went by with no sign, no mention of Rody.

TATIANA MEJA, BIOLOGICAL MANUFACTURING, ONE BLOOD ORLANDO: I knew that some people had passed and I knew there was a list, and I kept looking at the list, just hoping that his name wasn't there.

BLACKWELL: Then, on Monday, there it was. Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old, his name added to the list of the dead.

BROWNLEE: I felt broken. I'm sorry. I felt hurt and just sad that it happened and it happened this way.

BLACKWELL: What is the space that he now leaves vacant here? Because I understand he had a big personality.

KADIAN MCINTOSH, BIOLOGICS MANAGER, ONE BLOOD ORLANDO: Oh, my God, yes. No one can fill that. No one can fill that. He definitely had a big personality. He walked in the room, and you knew immediately he was there.

BLACKWELL: In the days after the shooting, more than 20,000 people donated blood as a gesture of solidarity with the victims, so the workload has been eave.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We cry, we go back to work, we cry, but we go back to work. But we can't stop, you know, because it's a lot of people that went through this tragedy.

BLACKWELL: One of them, Angel, who for the first time is hearing the story and seeing the face of the man who helped save so many lives.

COLON: He is an angel. He is an angel.

BLACKWELL: A hero who just days before he was killed, was shipping off life-saving blood that would heal survivors of the shooting that he would not survive.

BROWNLEE: He wasn't able to save him, but I'm glad that we're able to save other lives. And I know he'll be happy that we still pulled together and made this possible. He was a hero. Because if he was here, he would be doing the same thing.

BLACKWELL: Victor Blackwell, CNN, Orlando, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And I'm joined now by Susan Forbes of One blood.

I mean, this is personal and this is so touching and to know, you know, that a devoted employee was among those who died, who was killed, but then helped save lives himself. An, this ended up being prophetic, the way he gave blood, just out of sheer care and duty, as a human being. And how in such a short amount of time, his blood would help save others.

SUSAN FORBES, ONEBLOOD INC.: Correct, it is. It has been very hard on the One Blood team, and to be standing right here with you, just feet away from our own team member who lost his life is, it's hard. You know, and every day, the team members at One Blood behind the scenes and in front of the scenes are out there collecting blood to save lives. And now we continue to do what we do, but we do it with Rodolfo's memory in front of us. Because we know if he were here, he would be helping to save lives, because that's what he was about.

WHITFIELD: And I want to ask you about Rodolfo in a moment, a little bit more about him. But for now, consequently from this tragedy, that 20,000 people would donate blood in this entire service area as a result of what happened, what is that message? I mean, how does that resonate with you and the people who are so dedicated, you know, to the donor center, to see this kind of outpouring and response?

FORBES: It has been a tremendous outpouring of response. And blood donors are, they're unsung heroes in our communities, who step forward, who are some of the most humble people you will ever meet, who their only purpose is to -- in donating blood, is to help save lives. And day do it every day, across the country, but we really need people to understand that blood donors are really the first, first responders. Because they have done their part, days before the blood was ever need, to ensure that it was available, to help the patients in need. And you know, it's the people who donated the week before this tragedy, that were there to be able to save those patients on Sunday.

WHITFIELD: And only 10 percent of people who are eligible, who would be, you know, great donors, are doing so. So help convey the message to people, as to why they should because sometimes there's fear. People have a lack of understanding, as to how their blood would be used, what the process is like. How do you appeal to people to let them know, to offer assurances, encourage them why they should donate blood.

FORBES: Because, you literally have the power to save another human being's life. And you never know when or where blood products are going to be needed, but they have to be available for doctors the moment that they need it. My message is, be a consistent blood donor. If you're eligible to donate, do it. You are helping people. And make it a consistent way of life. We see a lot of people turn out, you know, in times of tragedy, which we needed them. But we need them 365 days a year. Oneblood and every other blood center across the country faces the same thing that you need to ready for a supply 24/7, 365 days a year. So be a consistent blood donor.

When the folks who came out this past week to donate, when they are eligible again, come back, and they come back again after this and again after that, because it's needed year round. There is no substitute for blood. It's the one thing we all have in common, and it's the one thing that can help save somebody's life in a time of need. And it's not just during the times of tragedy, cancer patients, premature babies, sickle cell cancer, they're all using it.

[13:10:30] WHITFIELD: And now your late colleague, Rodolfo that just the day prior had donated blood --.

FORBES: He helped process the blood in our biologics department. So many of the blood products that went through Orlando regional went through him and his team.

WHITFIELD: So tell me about him and your memory of him. What kind of spirit. Tell me about his heart and who he was.

FORBES: He was a tremendous human being who was just joyful, just was committed to his job and to helping save lives. He was the person who would walk in the room and light up the room and care deeply about his colleagues, that he worked so closely with, that you saw in that piece. And he just was -- he was always, you know, there's nothing bad to say about the man. He was just a tremendous human being. And it's a huge loss, a huge loss.

WHITFIELD: Right. Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala. Susan, thank you so much. Appreciate it from One blood.

FORBES: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Still ahead, as investigators in the U.S. dig into how this gunman may have been linked to ISIS, that is still a big question mark. There is a major blow to the terror group in Iraq, we just got brand-new video from our crew inside the city of Fallujah, next. We're going live to that critical city that is now back in the hands of Iraqi forces.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:15:00] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We continue our coverage here from Orlando, but we are also following other news overseas. Out of Cairo, in fact, public reports say that former Egyptian president Muhammad Morsi has been sentenced to life in prison in an espionage case. Morsi was ousted from office in July 2013 after being charged with passing classified documents to Qatar, the country's first democratically elected leader. Morsi was sentenced to death last year for his role in a 2011 prison break that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak.

And now to Iraq, where we are also following breaking news. This new video shows downtown Fallujah, where the Iraqi military has pushed ISIS out. Iraq says the critical city is now mostly free from the terror group's control. Fallujah is 40 mile west of Baghdad. It's been under ISIS control since early 2014.

CNN's senior international correspondent, Ben Wedeman, is live for us now in Baghdad.

So, Ben, we're seeing the new images. You have witnessed the continued ground battle firsthand. Explain what you had been seeing.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we were able to do, Fredricka, is go inside the city with an Iraqi army humvee. What we saw was block after block of leveled buildings, leveled by first days and days of artillery and mortar bombardment, also by airstrikes, by coalition aircraft, as well as the Iraqi air force.

Now, once we got inside the city, even though Iraqi officials are saying at least 60 percent of the city has been freed of ISIS, that ISIS is really just concentrated in the northern neighborhoods, what we saw when we were in central Fallujah was that there's still fighting ongoing. In fact, there were on three sides of us, we saw fighting, heard a lot of small arm fire, rocket-propelled grenades being fired as well. So when you speak to Iraqi officials, they'll say, yes, there are a few pockets of resistance, but the pockets seem to be many and they seem to be deep.

Now, Fredricka, what we didn't see while we were in Fallujah for about two hours today were any, any civilians whatsoever. Most have either fled or have been forced back into those remaining parts of the city controlled by ISIS, by ISIS, which it's wildly believed is using these people as human shields.

Now, I did speak to one soldier who spoke to some of the civilians fleeing. He said they looked in a very way that they're suffering from a lack of food and water. And of course, the city of Fallujah has been under siege by Iraqi forces for months now. And we know not only is there a shortage of clean water and food, officials are worried that there could, in fact, be an outbreak of cholera - Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my. All right, Ben Wedeman, thank you so much.

All right. Coming up, a crisis in Rio de Janeiro, just weeks before the summer Olympic games. A state of emergency has, in fact, been declared. That is next.

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[13:21:54] WHITFIELD: Welcome back to Orlando. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Let's talk about the summer Olympic Games, upcoming just 50 days away before the opening ceremonies for the summer games in Rio. And authorities are declaring a financial state of emergency. That some fear could impact the games. Brazil is dealing with its worst recessions since the 1930s, and the troubling mosquito-born Zika outbreak, a big problem.

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is live for us now in Rio.

So, talk to me about the extent of the worry there, Nick.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The announcement came late yesterday declaring an official gazette here that they want a state of emergency to address quote "the financial calamity in the state of Rio," where the city, home to Rio 2016 resides.

Now, no secret in the past month, the public services here have been in terrible condition. Hospitals, police lacking and funding, universities, all things that need to be in good shape to welcome the estimated half a million Olympic visitors here in under 50 days now. The real question is can that shortfall in funding be made up in time? Local media suggest that they're looking for nearly $1 billion or so. And here's how local officials explain what they need these new rules for.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANCISCO DOMELLES, ACTING GOVERNOR OF RIO DE JANEIRO (through translator): The objective of the declaration is to show the people of Rio de Janeiro, the financial difficulties of the state, paving the way for tough financial measures and calling the attention of the federal authorities to the difficulties we are having.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: So basically saying, look, we need a state of emergency. We need to cut through red tape and get things done. But also, I think he is clear they are leveraging the Olympic Games to get more cash out of the federal government, suggestions that the federal government really has little choice but to supply that extra money.

The two questions, really, that it still leaves is are public services here in Rio going to be up to scratch to deal with those business, to deal with a massive international event like the Olympics, that should be so flawlessly executed.

And secondly, are there any other hidden surprises here. This announcement from the state of Rio quite surprising to many here, in the public nature of it, and the demand it's simply made. Are there any other hidden problems here? We know the infrastructure is being prepared pretty much down to the last minute to get it ready in time. A key subway extension behind me to the Olympic park itself. That's going to be ready just four days before the games begin. Are there any other hidden surprises that may emerge in the weeks ahead? We're on a tight timetable now, Fred.

WHITFIELD: So, public service as subway system, as you mentioned, some of the things that would impact tourists, athletes, et cetera, but among those potential surprises, what would be the worst-case scenario of impact if it turns out there isn't this 100 percent readiness of Rio?

WALSH: I truth, I think most people are concerned about what it may do to the police forces, really. I mean, hospitals, yes, that may be one potential issue. Are there going to be enough officers on the street provide the security you need to deal with I have to say a petty crime that often occurs here in Rio. That's one potential problem. I don't think anybody concerned the games won't go ahead. The problem is and it seem to do justice to the kind of spectacle Brazil has pledged to the international community. And not having the hospitals, the infrastructure, the transport, not having that sense of a functioning city in the background that could really damage that particular image. They probably will get the cash out of the federal government, but let's face it, Brazil has been way short of money for a very long time, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nick Paton Walsh, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

All right. When we come back, we will talk more about the politics in the race for the White House. Elizabeth Warren slamming Donald Trump in New Hampshire today. Details on that, next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Now, rather than investing in high-quality instructors and counselors to teach classes, Donald Trump put together an army of salespeople to sell, sell, sell those classes. It was like a used car dealership.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:29:10] WHITFIELD: Hello, again thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Orlando. We've got a lot straight ahead.

Let's talk about on the race for the White House. Moments ago, Senator Elizabeth Warren ripped into Donald Trump during the New Hampshire democratic convention. Here's what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WARREN: Every day, we learn more about it. And every day it becomes clearer that he is just a small insecure money grubber who doesn't care about anyone or anything that doesn't have the Trump name splashed all over it. Every day, it becomes clearer that he is a thin-skinned racist bully. And every day it becomes clearer he will never be president of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[13:30:04] WHITFIELD: Sticking with Donald Trump, that topic, CNN is learning of a new last-ditch effort to keep the Republican presumptive nominee out of the White House, and it's being led by some of his own party's leadership. A coalition of Republican delegates is pushing for a quote "conscience clause that would free convention delegates who are bound to Trump." Trump has a rally in Las Vegas next hour.

CNN White House producer Kristen Holmes is there for us.

So Kristen, this is a pretty serious strategy if, indeed, it gets underway. Has Trump reacted at all to this?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: Well, Fred, that's exactly right. And it definitely should be characterized as a last-ditch effort here with that Republican convention, right around the corner in Cleveland. Now, one member delegate describing the coalition as a group of supporters of Rubio, Kasich, and Cruz, who agree on one thing, and that is quote "anyone but Trump."

Now, Donald Trump did disagree with this, he dismissed the efforts, yesterday, saying that they would not only be illegal, but that they would go against the millions of people who voted for him, because they believe that that's what -- that they believe in what he had to say. Now, this didn't stop him from defending is relationship with the Republican Party. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The party is doing very well. The party is -- the party is actually liking me. You know, I'm an outsider. I'm an outsider and historically, they don't love the outsiders. But I think they're starting to like me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, the Republican national committee's chairman, Sean Spicer, also hit back at this effort, saying that it's extent was a bunch of quote "random people tweeting about it." I should mention that political analysts say that with Trump's numbers, an effort like this would be a real long shot, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Kristen Holmes in a very steamy Las Vegas. Thank you so much.

All right. On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders is pledging he will do everything in his power to make sure Donald Trump is defeated in November, except for dropping out of the race. But his campaign posted this video that offers some vague foreshadowing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The major political task that together we face in the next five months, is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly. And I personally intend to begin my role in that process. In a very short period of time.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: All right, joining me right now to talk more about this is Jay Newton-Small, he is the Washington correspondent for "Time" magazine.

Jay, good to see you. She is -- Jay, good to see you.

JAY NEWTON-SMALL, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, TIME MAGAZINE: Good to see you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So let's talk about this. I mean, you know, Bernie Sanders saying he is going to spend the next five months working hard to try to defeat Donald Trump. But he is saying nothing about whether he is going to join forces with the Hillary Clinton, who is the nominee. She has got the delegate count right now. What's going on, here? What is he saying or not saying enough of?

NEWTON-SMALL: He is clearly, he is still dragging his feet, clearly, in endorsing Hillary. I mean, he is no longer actively campaigning. His campaign is pretty much over. They have let go of most of their staff. They're no longer -- his campaign manager said that they're no longer lobbying super delegates. They're no longer actively seeking the nomination anymore. But these are always a little bit hard to overcome, right? Like, for people to let go of the dream and kind of say, fine, you know, I'm not going to be the nominee, to endorse somebody else, though, is always a little bit difficult. Bernie is clearly taking his time doing it. I mean, Hillary, to her credit, in 2008, had a much quicker turnaround, within four days of losing the nomination at the end of the voting in 2008, she turned around and endorsed President Barack Obama. And they historically remember had that big event in unity in New Hampshire, to bring the party together. Some kind of event like that is going to be need. And I don't know if that will be at the convention or earlier potentially, but more likely at the convention.

WHITFIELD: And I think most people would understand what it is to be in the fight so long, what Bernie Sanders might be feeling, that he has worked so hard, he's stayed in the fight, you know, he doesn't want to give it up, but when you talk out the delegate count and it is now Hillary Clinton, who has the delegates, I mean, what is he, I guess, torn with at this point, that he would not want to help unify the party, help, I guess, buddy up with, you know, Hillary Clinton, even if they have different approaches. It's already been made clear, there are certain goals that they share. So, what would be holding him back, or is it his disdain? Is it being revealed that he has such great disdain for Hillary Clinton, that there's no way that he wants to support her?

NEWTON-SMALL: No, I think you will, eventually, see Bernie Sanders support her. And I remember when I was the first person he gave an interview to back in June of 2014 when he originally said he was considering running for president. And back then I asked him if Hillary qualified to be president? He said, yes. And she would make a very good president. I think he will eventually endorse her.

It's a hard dream to give up, and I think he still wants to get some concessions from her. He wants to pull her as much as he can in these waning days of his sort of empower and influence on this particular campaign, to pull her to the left as much as he still can. And you see him asking for certain people who he felt were particularly unfair to him, or particularly misaligned with what he views the democratic a part of, to be removed from their positions. I don't know if that's going to happen. He's still pushing for certain policy positions to be included in the platform, whether it's a $15 minimum wage or tougher sort of Wall Street provisions.

And these are things that they're in discussions about, you know. This is sort of his wish list, and his legacy to some degree, as he moves forward. And that he can move -- that he can say, I won this from her. I got this out of her. And this is, you know, what I achieved in this campaign, even if we didn't make it all the way to the White House.

[13:36:13] WHITFIELD: And right now, that's candidate Sanders, on Monday, we will be back to senator Sanders. Because he's going to return to the Senate floor to consider, perhaps even vote on those four, you know, gun control provisions. What's the expectation about his stance on that and why he will be back on the floor? It is going to be the first time since January, apparently.

NEWTON-SMALL: It will be. And this is, you know, it's always sort of humbling to come back as a senator who has run for office, and you've seen it with so many of them in recent years, whether it's John McCain or John Kerry, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and that first moment back in the Senate, it feels a little bit like you're going backwards, you know. It feels a little bit like you're going back to high school when you've already graduated college and you kind of have to come back and take your seat and go back to the job of just representing the people of your state, when you've been -- spent the last better part of a year of your life trying to convince folks that you would do a better job representing all Americans and dreaming much bigger.

WHITFIELD: Except that is his job and it would be worse if he were to step away completely, you know, before his Senate term were up.

NEWTON-SMALL: Absolutely. And this is what he needs to be doing. I mean, he has a duty to fulfill in the Senate to the people of Vermont. And these are interesting -- it's sort of interesting that these are the votes that he's going to come back to, considering that gun control was such a huge, like, issue on the campaign, that he and Hillary argued enormously over the fact that he's coming back for these four votes for the Senate now is sort of interesting. And certainly -- but, yes, he absolutely has to pick up the sort of pieces of his old life, the pieces of what he, the people that he still represents for Vermont, and represent them well.

WHITFIELD: All right. Jay Newton-Small, thank you so much. Good to see you.

NEWTON-SMALL: Thank you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, tomorrow morning on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION," Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort joining Dana Bash to discuss the Orlando attack and more. That's tomorrow at 9:00 eastern, right here on CNN.

Also, still to come, less than a week after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history, hunters and hobbyists alike gathering for a firearms festival. How will they respond in the wake of the Orlando tragedy? That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:42:02] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Orlando, just less than a block away from the Pulse nightclub, where tragedy struck a week ago. Forty nine people killed. And so the mass shootings here has renewed impassioned pleas for tougher gun laws.

The U.S. Senate has agreed to vote on several different amendments on Monday, but lawmakers may find themselves in a familiar position when it comes to gun control. A stalemate, the expectation is that none of those proposals will pass.

Joining me right now, CNN investigations correspondent, Chris Frates.

So, Chris, why is it so many are pessimistic when I spoke to Senator Bill Nelson. He thought, he's feeling more optimistic than ever.

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fred, well, there is good reason to be pessimistic, because both Democrats and Republicans have competing proposals on how to prevent terror suspects from buying guns.

So let's break these proposals down. Democrats, they want to block the sale of guns to known or suspected terrorist ifs the attorney believes the weapons would be used for terrorism. And anybody subject to federal terrorism investigation in the past five years would be flagged for further review.

Now the Republicans, their proposal would block the sale of gun to known or suspected terrorists, for up to three days, if the attorney general believes the weapons would be used for terrorism. Now, a U.S. attorney could permanently block the sale if there's probable cause that the buyer is linked to terrorism. So, differences also remain between the two parties, on how to change the background checks need to buy a gun. And similar legislation to the proposals that are expected to get a vote on Capitol Hill on Monday, Fred, have all been rejected in the past. So, there's not much hope that different, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. And then what potentially is next if there isn't the outcome that some are hoping for?

FRATES: Yes, that's a really good question. And that's where Senator Susan Collins, she's a moderate Republican from Maine, is really hoping to bridge this partisan divide. On Monday, she is expected to unveil legislation aimed at breaking this logjam that everybody expects to happen on the Senate floor, and her current draft would bar gun sales to anybody on the no-fly list, but it would grant an appeals process to those denied a gun. It would also require the FBI to be alerted anytime someone has been on that no-fly list in the last five years buys a gun. Now Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate haven't ruled out supporting Collins' plan, but it still remains to be seen if there's enough support to pass it, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Frates in Washington, thanks so much.

All right, meantime, it is NRA day in Illinois. A day for hunters, hobbyists, and other enthusiasts to gun members of the firearms industry for a firearms festival. The event is in its 14th year, but today it's coming nearly a week after the largest mass shooting in American history here in Orlando.

CNN national correspondent, Ryan Young, has more from the festival.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[13:45:00] RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're just about an hour south of Chicago. You can see the fence line over here, where everybody's lining up. They're getting registered to go inside and be able to have a chance to shoot weapons. In fact, this is one of the tents over here. People are lining up all day long to grab a pistol, go out, and take a shot at targets. We have been talking to families and people who believe in gun safety, but they also say they understand, there's a lot of conversation in this country right now about changing laws. And we asked them a few about what's going on in this country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We insist on enforcing the laws that are presently there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a case of what happened in Orlando, there are so many failures there that you would think a bushel. We don't want bad people to have firearms any more than anyone else does.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom to have your own gun, to be able to protect yourself, stricter laws aren't going to prevent people from obtaining (INAUDIBLE). And so, at that point, you're only restricting what the people who can defend themselves going to be doing with it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No matter what the case is, you're not going to entirely stop this, because the folks that want to get the stuff illegally will continue to do so.

YOUNG: Look, some of the people here were even skeptical about us being here, because they didn't want to turn this into a gun rights conversation. They said they understand the conversation that's going on in the country, but they want to make sure the laws that are actually on the books get enforced.

Reporting in Illinois, Ryan Young, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much, Ryan.

All right. Still to come, no plea and defiant words from a murder suspect accused of killing a British lawmaker. Details from his court appearance, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:50:20] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Orlando, just a block away from the Pulse nightclub where tragedy struck just a week ago. But we will look at other top stories.

Russian president Vladimir Putin says his country is prepared to work with any presidential candidate American voters elect. Putin has previously described Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump as brilliant and talented.

CNN's Fareed Zakaria asked Putin whether he stands by those comments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I only says that he was a bright person. Isn't he bright? He is. But there is one thing that I paid attention to, and that is definitely welcome is that Mr. Trump said he is ready to restore full-fledged Russian- American relations. What can there be bad about it?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Be sure to watch more of the interview with Putin on Fareed Zakaria's GPS special Sunday morning 10:000 eastern right here on CNN.

Belgian police have questioned 40 people and have arrested a dozen of them in an overnight terror raid in Brussels. The prosecutor announced dozens of houses were searched as part of the operation, though no arms or explosive were found. The identities of the 12 arrested have not been released.

And defiant words from a man charged with murdering Jo Cox, a British member of parliament. 52-year-old Thomas Mair, appeared in court earlier today for arraignment. And when asked his name he, Mair responded death to traitors, freedom for Britain. Meanwhile, Cox's sister spoke earlier at the sight of the memorial describing her as an amazing and perfect human being.

CNN's Nic Robertson has the latest from (INAUDIBLE), England - Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, Fredricka, it was a very, very moving moment. Jo Cox's parents came with Jo's sister, Kim. They came to laid that flowers. They came to see the outpouring of love and support from this community and people way beyond here but they come to show for their daughter.

Kim spoke, she spoke about Jo as being somebody positive, somebody resilient, somebody who had the best characteristics. She said herself sometimes she was a little bit cynical, but Jo was always positive. This is what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIM LEADBEATER, JO COX'S SISTER: We know that there are some evil people in this world. But there are an awful lot of good people, too. When Jo would get abuse on Facebook or Twitter we would talk and sometimes cry together. But she would still focus on the positive. And talk about the silent majority who didn't always shout the loudest. But who she knew were in her corner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Well Jo Cox's husband tweeted out. He didn't attend (INAUDIBLE) perhaps for the children, but he tweeted out that he was very proud of Kim speaking for the family in that way. And you know what, after she finished speaking there were so many well-wishers, so many people that knew Jo who gathered around listening that they came to hug. And just talk to the family, the father, the mother, and to Kim.

You know, standing watching it, it was so poignant. It was solemn. It was so quiet but there was such an outpouring of love for this family who is suffering so much at this time.

WHITFIELD: It is terrible. So Nic, have investigators said whether or not there was any kind of interaction with Jo Cox and Mair previously? You know, does he just come out of nowhere?

ROBERTSON: You know, there had been some threats of a sexual nature made to Jo Cox. They had been handled by the police in London, and the people that have been involved in that had according to police have no relation to the alleged murdered, Thomas Mair. Well, what the police are saying at the moment is quite simply he is charged with murder. He is charged with (INAUDIBLE) and bodily harm, he is really charged with having an illegal weapon. A number of charges here, but is there any prior connection. If there is, they have not said it yet.

From what Mair said on the stand today he is given an indication that he believes his actions were political. Go back to the background a bit, you see the connection to the right wing radicals both in the United States and in South Africa, as well.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nic Robertson, thank you so much from Birstall, England.

And we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:58:42] WHITFIELD: Hello, everyone, and welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Orlando. The scene of that tragic shooting that led to the deaths of 49 people. That scene just about one block away from me at the Pulse nightclub.

Meantime, we are watching a number of things to the continued investigation here. We're talking also about the investigation of the alligator death of a 2-year-old boy also here in Orlando and we are also looking at politics.

John Walsh, meantime, is back this weekend on CNN. He is hunting down criminals on the run. Here is a clip of this weekend's premier episode of "THE HUNT".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He seemed very panicked, wild eyed. We put him in the back of the car, trying to keep him warm and figure things out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Going to see -- I love her with all of my heart, I would give my life right now in one second to have her back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was an accident.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The gun just went off.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kept repeating himself that the gun just went off. I think he even mentioned I watched her die, something all those lines.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love her so much. I love her so much. I can't believe. But there is a divine reason for this. He is right but I'm not right.

(END VIDEOTAPE)