Return to Transcripts main page

Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

High School Shooting in Marysville, Washington; New York, New Jersey Order Mandatory Ebola Quarantines; NYPD: Hatchet Attack An Act Of Terror

Aired October 24, 2014 - 20:00   ET

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

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much for joining us.

Tonight, there is a lot to get to. All of it very serious -- a deadly school shooting north of Seattle. We are expecting news conference to begin momentarily. We want to bring it to you live.

Also, late word that officials now consider the hatchet attack on the four New York city police officers and act of terror. We'll explain why in the hour ahead.

And in the wake of New York City's first case of Ebola, New York and New Jersey are now toughening airport screening beyond the federal guidelines, part of a massive response to the diseases, where a lot of experts are calling overreaction tonight, that may actually hurt efforts to stop the spread of the virus in West Africa.

Plus, the bitter end at the search for University of Virginia's sophomore Hannah Graham. Her remains have been identified.

We begin with the high school shooting in Marysville, Washington north of Seattle. Let's listen in to the press conference.

ROBB LAMOUREUX, MARYSVILLE POLICE COMMANDER: Was reported by an anonymous cell phone call. At 10:41, the school resource officer was on scene, at 10:43 we confirmed that the shooter was down, at 10:49, ACARS entered the scene. At 11:00 we called for a full SWAT.

Currently, the smart team, the Snohomish county multi agency response team is on ground, on campus conducting the investigation. Students who witnessed the incident are still on campus being interviewed by detectives.

At this time we are confirming two fatalities, one is the shooter, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two patients remain at Providence hospital. Two patients are currently at Harborview medical center. They were transferred there from Providence hospital.

All of those that are in the hospital are under the age of 18. We do have some road closures, 108th street in front of Marysville-Pilchuck high school is closed from 67th avenue west to 51st. The MPH entrance remains closed, as well.

Next, I'm going to introduce the school superintendent Dr. Berg. DR. BECKY BERG, SUPERINTENDENT, MARYSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Hello,

I'm Dr. Becky Berg, the superintendent of the Marysville school district.

First and foremost, we want to extend our thoughts and prayers to every family affected with this tragedy. And truly, when one of our children is hurting we are all hurting. It happens to all of us as a community. We are indeed heart sick.

Student's safety is our top priority. We are working closely with law enforcement. And I would like to briefly talk about some information with the coming week.

Right now, we are planning to close Marysville-Pilchuck high school for the week of October 27th out of respect for the students and families affected. We will continue to evaluate that decision. Extracurricular activities for the entire district are canceled for this weekend. The entire Marysville-Pilchuck high school campus will remain closed for the weekend and that includes the pool.

Tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., we will brief counselors at our district office available to anyone in the community who needs them. Those counselors will also be available tomorrow morning from 9:00 to noon.

As some of you may know, tonight was supposed to be our high school football playoff game between Marysville-Pilchuck high school and Oak Harbor high school. We have received word from the Oak Harbor school district that their high school has offered to take second place in the playoffs due to our canceling the game.

We also understand teams around the league will be wearing red and white in support of Marysville-Pilchuck high school. Now I would like to introduce our esteemed mayor, Mayor John Nehring.

MAYOR JOHN NEHRING, MARYSVILLE: Thanks, Becky. You know, as I said earlier our heart right now goes out to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with primarily those who have lost loved ones today. Also, those who have injured loved ones right now, and everybody involved in Marysville-Pilchuck high school. And also, we want to extend we have kids all over this community that know the kids involved. And our hearts are with them and their families. This is a true community tragedy for the Marysville (ph) community.

I know it is important for you guys to get information to do your jobs tonight. I think commander Lamoureux who gave you some good information today. We just ask that you give law enforcement and everybody involved space and the time they need to do this correctly and accurately. It will take a long time for our community to heal from this, and we are going to get about that work right away. And we just appreciate all the support we're getting from all the local jurisdictions and from county, from state, from federal. Everybody is involved. Everybody was on the scene quickly. And receiving phone calls from all the folks from our state and federal delegation as well. We just so appreciate that support from our community. We'll need that in the coming days. And with that, I would like to introduce my friend, Herman Williams to say some words.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mr. Nehring. On behalf, I want to make a statement -- read a statement here today. I'm deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy in our elementary school district. Our prayers are out to the families and the entire community. Our first priority is to support the families and the children of those involved.

Our community has reeled from this experience. We ask that the media and the public and families during this time of grief, sadly we now have experienced what has become a national trend. And we, as a society, must address this issue.

The fact that tribal members were involved makes it extremely hard to stop any inquiries you may have, until we are aware of all the circumstances. As chairman, I ask everyone to pray for children and the family of those involved.

Again, I just wanted to say that in behalf of the community, we're deeply saddened by this poor tragedy, why it would happen in our community, we can always say we can watch it on TV, but my, here it comes walking in our door. And I hope that somehow, we, the school district and the mayor may address this and others come up with a solution, again, thank you very much.

TY TRENARY, SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF: Thank you, Chairman Williams. My name is Ty Trenary. I'm the Snohomish county sheriff. I want to talk just for a brief moment about what is going on, how we're involved and reiterate some of the comments you have already heard this evening.

The Snohomish county office was involved in responding as the was the Washington State patrol. We are also relying on assistance from the FBI and the ATF, not because of anything specific but because law enforcement in Snohomish county works very well together. And it is expected we partner on major sad events like this.

Specifically, the smart team, the Snohomish Multi Agency Response team is the best investigators that every agency has to offer. That group of people are currently working in the high school. They are going to continue to working through the night. I know you all are going to want specific information and specific details. Out of respect for the family and out of respect for the event, we're not going to provide that. We have a duty and obligation to get the facts and we're going to do it and do it carefully.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for your help. And I want to introduce chief Rick Smith.

RICK SMITH, POLICE CHIEF, MARYSVILLE: Thank you, sheriff. My name is Rick Smith and I'm the police chief for the city of Marysville.

First off, it is tragic we have to be in front of the media having to talk about this issue. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families who were struck by this tragedy. And so on behalf of the police department and the city I want to let you folks know that we care about you. We love you and we're going to be there for you. I have a couple of comments that I would like to make. I know that

there is considerable interest in naming the shooter. In fact, you're seeing stuff all over twitter and social media at this time. We're not going to confirm any names at this time.

By providing his name, his background and clues to his motivation would simply dramatize someone who perpetuated a violent crime, cruel act in a place where children should feel safe. And that is the bottom line. Our kids go to school. They should feel safe going to school.

I will not promote that motivation by devoting any time on the shooter. Instead, we should focus on the heroic efforts of the teachers and quickly moved students to safety. And the students who helped one another to moved in an orderly way despite panic and certainly what was going on inside of them by sheer fear. Had it not been for the quick, composed actions we may have had an even sadder story to report on today.

I would rather focus on the immediate response by emergency personnel who moved swiftly to secure the information and to tend to victims. And the joint response by the Marysville police department, Marysville fire department, Snohomish county sheriff's office, Arlington and Lake Stevens police departments, the FBI, Washington state patrol, ATF, Marysville public works and many, many others who are here to include the chief of the tribes, Carlos Echeverria.

You know, we have -- we deal with this situation through the media. And quite frankly it is time for us as a country, as a nation, and certainly for us as a city to look at what is going on. Maybe look at our values and determine what we're going to do and help those who may possibly need help and stop this. So it's time for us to act. And not just talk anymore. Thank you.

COOPER: Officials in Marysville, Washington, after the shooting at the local high school.

We want to go to Susan Candiotti who is on scene for us.

Susan, what have you learned today about how the events unfolded and just to point out we are not naming the shooter as a long-standing policy on this program -- Susan?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Anderson.

Well, it happened during the lunch period. One of two lunch periods. That is what students tell me they have at that school. So it was just before 11:00 in the morning here, when all of a sudden the witnesses describe that the shooter in this case walked into the lunch room and walked up to a table. Everyone says it was not a random act. It did not appear that way to them. Walked up to the students and opened fire into the backs of the students. That is what they're saying.

Witnesses describe to me hearing at least six gunshots. Some people who were inside. Some people in the hallway. At first thought it sounded like trays falling so some people didn't put two and two together. But immediately in the cafeteria as you can imagine there was pandemonium at first, it was described. But then everybody said they ran for it, ran for cover, ran on to the hallway. And from there, some students ran to get away from the shooter and others went to the classrooms.

At some point, there was an announcement made that the school was in lockdown. And so students knew what that meant although some of them didn't know there had been a shooting. And they stayed inside the classrooms and credited the teachers to keep everybody calm until everything could be sorted out. So it was a terrifying moment as centers describe to me what it was like being there when the shots rang out, Anderson.

COOPER: And the official in the press conference said the shooter, the student, took his own life. The weapon he has used that has been traced back to his father, correct?

CANDIOTTI: That is what a law enforcement source tells me. And so, whenever that happens, a search warrant is executed. And so, we understand that a search warrant will be executed to get more information about that.

COOPER: And the shooter, by all reports, was popular, played football as recently named to the homecoming court. Do authorities have any idea what may have motivated this attack?

CANDIOTTI: You know, they really don't at this time. There is a lot of talk on social media and from students with who we have spoken that say they can't figure it out either because he was so well liked.

However, some are talking about the fact he broke up with a girlfriend. Others are saying it may have something to do with this. He was suspended recently within the last few weeks after at a football practice he got into a fight with another student who witnesses describe were giving him a hard way to go. Some say he was being bullied. And some say that racist comments were made to him and that he lashed out and fought with that person and that is what led to the suspension. However, the suspension was already up and that is why he was back at school, Anderson?

COOPER: Five students were shot. One of them has died.

Susan Candiotti, thanks very much.

Joining us now is CNN law enforcement analyst and a former FBI assistant director Tom Fuentes, former FBI executive assistant director Shawn Henry, and Dave Cullen who wrote definitive book on the Columbine shootings tilted simply "Columbine."

Dave, let me start off with you. So much of what we think about school shootings is wrong. And your book really proves that. And that is what I learned from reading your book, and I recommend everybody to read your book if they want to understand the shootings. When people here, he was popular, when they hear he was on football team, he was well liked, that surprises a lot of people. But you say (INAUDIBLE).

DAVE CULLEN, AUTHOR, COLUMBINE: Not really. I heard the congressman today from the area talking about and saying that this is not all -- this kid did not fit the stereotype. Most school shooters don't fit the stereotype. The stereotype is wrong. There is no correct stereotype or profile. So there is no one that fits.

There are a lot of things in common. They are almost always boys. Ninety eight percent of the time they have suffered some sort of failure or loss. And most of them have been deeply depressed.

COOPER: For quite a while. So the idea that they just snapped, the idea that this is some sudden thing, that is not -- there may be some precipitating event but there is a history here.

CULLEN: Correct. Yes, exactly. It is much more of an evolution, a graduation thing in most cases. And, couple of different things. One thing that jumped out at me is, well, there are a couple of things that we get wrong. You have this talking during Susan Candiotti's report, this may or may not have been targeting at a table. I heard a lot of this today.

What I heard there was student said it looked like he walked up to a particular table. Well, you have to choose a particular table, right? You can't shoot -- you have to pick one. So no matter if he is walking up there, thinking, grabbing the first one that came to him or he had one in particular it looks exactly the same to the observer.

COOPER: And the bottom line is, you know, it is still too early frankly to know -- and you know, a lot of the conclusions that are drawn early on, just as in Columbine, turned out to be completely wrong. A lot of stories that were generated, a lot of the eyewitness testimony turns out to be incorrect. So we want to be very cautious on what we are actually reporting tonight.

Tom, law enforcement had determined the shooter acted alone. So, is their priority now just piecing together the motivation for why he did this?

THOMAS FUENTES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Yes, I think so. And the problem is that you may never know the motivation completely of what was going on in his head. And what was just mentioned, if he is suffering from depression, you know, people looking at it from the outside might think they have the whole world going for them. Good looking, money or fame. Or in this case on the football team.

But deep inside of them or in their head, they may not think so. They may feel they're disrespected or they are not being treated properly. Or if he asked a girl out for a date and she said no, he may feel humiliated and further depressed. And often that level of depression illness not readily apparent. And it builds up, as mentioned, it builds up slowly overtime, like yet another brick on the wall, another brick in a another brick, and eventually, the person decides that is it and takes a gun to school and takes action.

COOPER: Shawn, in the press conference they talked about the time line of when they responded and praising their response. It is interesting, though, you pointed out the FBI did a really huge study of act of shooter situations and found for those that happen at schools, the vast majority are over in five minutes or less. I mean, that is significant, because it also has some indication about what to do about the next time and how best to prepare for something like this.

SHAWN HENRY, FORMER FBI EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Yes, that is right, Anderson. The FBI did an act of shooter review looking at 160 incidents over about the last 13 years starting in 2000. Of those 160, about 39 were specifically related to incidents in school or educational facilities.

In the majority of these cases across the 160, about 70 percent, these incidents were over in five minutes or less. And about half of those incidents were over in two minutes or less. So absolutely, we have to praise law enforcement and appreciate their response. But the reality of it is for some of the victims and people in the school, they have to take action sometimes.

And I think that the preparation that schools can have in terms of training, teachers and administrators and even students much the way we do with fire drills. Because if something like that happens we see in tragedy again, it oftentimes will require those people to protect themselves. They're not going to be in a position to wait for law enforcement to respond.

COOPER: Dave, you know, Tom Fuentes was mentioning depression, and it is really something that is important to focus on it. Because again, to outward appearances somebody can be popular, they can be happy, they can be, you know, be the jock of the school and be inside feeling like they want to die. They want to kill themselves. And you saw that in the journals of one of the Columbine shooter.

CULLEN: I did, with (INAUDIBLE). It was sort of astonishing to me. Because those were not released until for seven years because of court battles. So I knew he was depressed. I talked with the investigators and thought I understood the extent of his depression. But nothing really prepared me for reading, it was about 80 pages, for two years he went on. And the level of just distraught and crying out to himself and frequently crying out to God and saying and angry at God, why did you create me so miserable, so pathetic, so horrible, nobody likes me, nobody cares about me, I have got nothing.

COOPER: And yet he had an active social life and his mom had no idea this internal horror was going on.

CULLEN: Exactly. His family did love him. Lots of people around loved him. Robin Anderson who asked him to the prom who adored him. He had quite a large group. So that is our of objective view from the other side. Outside, it seems like a popular kid, happy, but what is going on inside? We have no awareness. And kids are great at hiding that. They're humiliated by it. You know, we all had times from everyone when we were in high school where we felt humiliated, we are embarrassed, we are -- . I hid it from everybody, from my family, from my friends, I wasn't talking about it. So you know, you don't know what is going on.

COOPER: You don't really know what is going on.

Dave Cullen, we're going to talk to you again, Shawn Henry, Tom Fuentes, as well. We are going to speak with a student also coming out about what he heard and saw today. More importantly, what he wants people to know about one of his friends who lost his life today.

Just ahead, more breaking news. The governor of New York and New Jersey, unveiling tough new guidelines on who get put in quarantine coming back from Ebola hot zones. The question is, will the new guideline end up preventing doctors and nurses from travelling to West Africa in the first place make the outbreak even worse. That is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back. That was the scene earlier today In Marysville, Washington. Images of satellite of the students, parents, members of the community who are always remember.

Three students tonight are very critically ill after surgery for serious gunshot wounds, another has died. The gunman also has died.

Nate Heckendorf, junior at the school, knew the shooter and one of the victims. He joins us now. Nate, thanks for being us. I know has been extraordinary difficult day for you. What do you want people to know about your friend? I understand you were friends with one of the victims?

NATE HECKENDORF, STUDENT: Yes, one of the victims, you know, I have known her or the victim since about fourth grade. She is a pretty outgoing person. Loved to talk to people. Loved to get to know people. She just -- you know, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

COOPER: I now you were not in the cafeteria when this happened. You were at the school. You have heard the gunshots. What went through your mind? What happened when you heard those shots?

HECKENDORF: You know, at first I didn't even think they were gunshots. I have heard noises louder than those shots. I was coming out of the bathroom on my way to my fifth period class. I heard a couple of loud bangs followed by another couple of bangs. I heard a couple of screams. But you know, just thought it was normal high school life.

And I was on my way to my fifth period, it is not even looking back. You know, I saw a couple of people running around, kids running around doing their own thing. And I made it to my period class. I was in the classroom. And right as I sat down the fire alarm went off. And, so you had everybody going out to the stadium for the spiral (ph) that everyone think that a fire and yet the other half running back to their classroom knowing that it is lockdown.

So, while we are at the field. thinking that it is a fire. And we did have teachers come out. And tell us to go back in the classroom. Tell everyone else that we need to go back to the classroom and stay safe. Stay away from the windows and we are in lockdown.

COOPER: And you really praised the reaction of a lot of teachers?

HECKENDORF: Yes, I mean, the reaction of the teachers, the teachers handled it well. You know, I didn't get to see a lot of them. But, you know, I think the main role that they played was just to keep a calm demeanor and just let the kids know everything was going to be OK in the classes, make the classroom safe.

COOPER: I also understand you know the shooter. And I know you were listening to the previous guests. We are talking about how often we don't know what is going on in somebody's mind. And this was somebody who was well liked.

HECKENDORF: Yes. He was well liked by the community. I mean, he was a respected kid. He was homecoming prince. I talked to him a couple of times. I even talked to him today before school knowing about a couple of problems that occurred in the past. I just talked to him, said if there is anything you need I'll be here for you. Come talk to me immediately. You know, he did a little hand shake. He smiled and said have good the rest of the day. I went to my first period. And you know, I didn't see any problems that were occurring. Didn't look like he was -- he didn't look he was having the acts towards of anger, towards any students. So you know, it was really shocking.

COOPER: He had been suspended recently for fighting, is that correct?

HECKENDORF: Yes, yes, there was a fight that had occurred.

COOPER: So you actually saw him this morning. And it seemed normal?

HECKENDORF: Yes, he seemed pretty much content with life, you know. I saw him, you know, I was talking with him and said like I said if you need anything just come to me, talk with me and I'll be here for you. And he said, OK. Did a little hand shake, and he was on his way. And I didn't see any signs of anger or any signs of aggression, you know. And he looked like a normal high school teenager on a Friday morning.

COOPER: Is there anything else you want people to know, Nate?

HECKENDORF: I would just like to, you know, tell people that, you know, it is not always -- the kids that are basically -- like you know in his case, he was well liked by the community. I mean, there are still kids that do have problems and they're facing problems with their own life, you know. Just, you know, to look out for them and if you see any signs of change, you know, give them the help they need.

COOPER: Nate Heckendorf, I appreciate you talking to us. And take care of yourself and for being with us.

HECKENDORF: Thank you.

COOPER: As always you can find out more on this story, and others at CNN.com.

Just ahead, we have more breaking news. Two states tightening Ebola screening at airports. The question is, we're talking about New York and New Jersey. This came as a surprise even health officials in New York. Question is, will it do more harm than good?

And also, in that horrific (INAUDIBLE) attack on New York City police officers, officials are calling it a terror attack, terrorist instant. We'll tell you exactly what they have learned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: We have a lot of major stories happening tonight. One of them that we're following closely is New York's first Ebola case. There are new developments on several fronts now at this hour.

Starting with the significant change in policy, New York and New Jersey today announced and surprised many mandatory quarantines for high-risk travellers returning from West Africa countries with Ebola outbreaks. Now, that is a step above the CDC guidelines. Here is New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO (D), NEW YORK: We believe it is important to increase the current screenings for people coming from infected countries from the current CDC screening procedures. We believe it is in the state of New York and state of New Jersey's legal rights to control access to their borders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, New Jersey has already ordered a female health care worker to be quarantined under the new policy, which is already sparking controversy. When Dr. Spencer returned from Guinea, he followed the self-monitoring advice.

Tonight, he is said to be in stable condition in an isolation unit. Senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, joins me now from Bellevue. So the details of this quarantine, what do we know now because this surprised a lot of people here.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It certainly did, I think it even surprised the CDC folks. You know, it's stunning, Anderson, how few details there are. So they are going to be quarantined. So how will they get from the airport to their home to their apartment or their house?

Were they up in a cab and then what or hospital, how do they get on the bus? Presumably, many of them have families. Their family could get sick. Also many people go through JFK. I was speaking with a doctor coming from Sierra Leone. He is coming through Newark next week on his way to New Orleans.

So does he get stuck here for three weeks? There are so many different things. Also, we're talking a lot of people. Will there be policemen outside everyone's doors to make sure they don't break quarantine? A lot of unanswered questions.

COOPER: And this is something the CDC has recommended at this time?

COHEN: This is not something that they recommended at all. Now, they are reviewing their policy. They said everything is on the table. Maybe we'll recommend the quarantine maybe we won't. Maybe we'll recommend something in the middle and there is something in the middle.

They could tell workers, you know what, we would prefer, please do not go to restaurants or bowling alleys. Don't get on buses, but you can take a walk.

Because when you're taking a walk, you won't come in contact with someone. A lot of people like that middle ground because there is a down side to this quarantine.

People don't often recognize that. You know, workers don't want to do this. So they won't go to Africa. They won't help people out in Africa. The outbreak gets worse there, and if it gets worse there, it gets worse here.

COOPER: Elizabeth Cohen, appreciate the update. I want to bring in our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and also Dr. Seema Yasmin, staff writer of "The Dallas Morning News" and a former CDC disease detective.

Sanjay, I mean, you have been to West Africa. These health care workers are doing, I mean, extremely hard, extremely dangerous work to stop the outbreak. It's critical the outbreak gets stop there.

The fact that in New York and New Jersey, they are now subject to a 21-day quarantine when they return, is that going to prevent good people from going over there and doing necessary work?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It is likely to have an impact, Anderson, I mean, I think this is one of those things where, you know, first of all an organization like Doctors Without Borders have been doing this for a long time.

They have very specific guidance. This is not just the CDC. They are saying a self-quarantine is neither recommended nor is it warranted. I mean, these are not just words, Anderson. This is based on science.

So these people are out there following science, face protocols, taking care of people, risking their own lives to do and then coming back and having to follow something that's decidedly non- scientific.

It is the collision of science and social fear. The science hasn't change in all this. It is the fear that's driving this. Let's just call it what it is. It's politics and it's social fear.

Now you don't want to be dismissive of that fear. I understand that. Again, so many e-mails and tweets from people today that are understandably scared. But the science really speaks for itself, the people who are coming back, unless they are sick they are not a threat.

COOPER: And Sanjay, the fact that this quarantine that is being put in place only in New York and New Jersey. Someone -- I mean, all they would have to do really to do that is to avoid flying into Newark Airport or JFK Airport, go to a different airport as they come back from West Africa or traveling through Europe or elsewhere.

GUPTA: Yes, so I mean, obviously, there will be a lot of holes in the whole system here. Maybe other states will adopt this. Maybe they wouldn't. Maybe it is unclear. As Elizabeth was saying, maybe even the CDC was surprised.

Doctors Without Borders were surprised. Look, they have been doing this for a long time. When they make these recommendations it is obviously to keep their workers safe. They have done it for a long time and looked at the science driving it.

So how it plays out, whether it is a temporary thing, is it just populism, and appeasing this. Various aspects, travel bans that didn't make sense, this may be another aspect of that.

Maybe it goes away after a while. We'll see. From a scientific perspective, which is a very important one here it just doesn't make a lot of sense.

COOPER: Well, I mean, you look at the travel ban, people who were HIV positive that was just lifted in the last year or two, or two or three years. That was a travel ban that didn't actually make any sense and that was born out of fear or early days of the virus.

Dr. Yasmin, I understand you know the nurse who was quarantined in New Jersey just now, what can you tell us about her?

DR. SEEMA YASMIN, STAFF WRITER, "DALLAS MORNING NEWS": She is a very hard-working, very dedicated nurse, Anderson. She's worked for many years for Doctors Without Borders and I've also worked with her at the CDC in recent years.

She returned this afternoon about 12:30 at Newark Airport after spending a very long, what she described it, emotional and intense month in Sierra Leone after the Ebola case management sent her.

And it took her about two days to travel from Sierra Leone, arriving in the U.S. She is stressed. She is tired. She is exhausted and desperately wants to get back to see her family.

But her welcome back to the U.S. was having her luggage put into biohazard bags, being pushed into a room in isolation without any information about where she was going.

Why she was not allowed to leave the hospital and what was going to happen to her so she was very confused and very upset about this. COOPER: You know, I mean, Sanjay, again, this just bears repeating. That this is something born out of politics and fear, understandable fear on a lot of particularly laymen's parts. But if the fear is letting this virus get worse in the United States, it may have that actual effect.

Because it will -- if it prevents health care workers from going to Liberia, if they're saying look I can't take three months and go there and an additional 21 days off afterward, if that prolong -- if it stops hundreds of health care workers from going to fight this virus that is just going to continue to make us less safe here.

GUPTA: I think there is no question. I mean, look, you already heard some of the numbers here, a possibility of 10,000 cases per week. That is as things stand now. If you start to disrupt that system in some ways by increasing the number of health care workers who want to go do this kind of work that situation get worse.

But it's also, you know -- even here, Anderson, think about this, as people come back. They are put in quarantine for 21 days. There is a stigma associated with that. They will be treated differently.

People are going to think they are a threat. Again, I've been over there, I have seen what is happening in West Africa. You have been to these places around the world, Anderson, these guys are going there and risking their own lives to take care of others.

It is incredible, incredible work and then to come back and be treated this way for no scientifically valid reason that is what is really important to stress here. Again, I don't want to dismiss people's fears.

All they have ever heard of Ebola is how terrible a disease it is, the terrible symptoms that it can cause, despite that the fear is understandable. Despite that, you have to pay attention to the symptoms here, and make sure you don't cause more harm than good.

COOPER: Well, Dr. Gupta, we'll see what happens, Dr. Yasmin as well. Thanks very much.

Just ahead, the high-stakes hunt still under way here in New York, the medical detectives retracing the steps of the Ebola patient, Dr. Craig Spencer, trying to locate anyone who may have come in contact with him.

Plus, new details on the hatchet attack, what they have learned about the attacker and why they say it is in fact an act of terror.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back. We're just getting word from New Jersey health officials who released a statement saying this evening that the health care worker, who is detained at Newark earlier today has developed a fever and is now in isolation and being evaluated at University Hospital in Newark. Dr. Seema Yasmin joins us now. Dr. Yasmin, you talked to this

woman, who returned earlier today. Does she -- does she have a fever? Does she acknowledge that?

YASMIN: So Anderson, I spoke to her just moments ago, in fact, and she tells me that her temperature was taken with an oral thermometer. So a lot more accurate than forehead scanners and that three times the reading came back at 98 degrees.

We should say that she does not have a fever. She said that sadly she was treated very badly at the airport, was not given information. She was exhausted. She was stressed and she was very upset.

She felt very flushed at the airport. A forehead scanner was used there she says because they had no type of thermometer and the temperature then came back as 101 degrees. But then the oral temperature, which is usually be more accurate came back at 98.

COOPER: OK, so the New Jersey Department of Health has put out a statement that she in fact developed a fever. You're saying based on your conversation with her directly that when they took her temperature initially at the airport they did it without actually an oral thermometer. And that they did it when she was upset and I guess angry or crying or whatever it may have been.

YASMIN: Absolutely, that is correct. She is actually very upset that the New Jersey Department of Health has put out this information and for accurate information that the oral temperature came back at 98 degrees three times.

COOPER: All right, so three times, subsequently, her temperature is at 98 degrees. All right, good information. We'll continue to follow that. Thanks very much.

Tonight's breaking news in New York, also health officials scrambling to track down anyone who may have had contact with Ebola patient, Dr. Craig Spencer, in the days before he got sick, Dr. Spencer who just began his battle with the deadly virus.

And Nina Pham is on her way home, that's great news for her. The Texas nurse was discharged today from the NIH facility where she was treated. Pham also visited the White House where she got a big hug from President Obama.

She contracted Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan who did not survive. She was the first American to contract Ebola in the United States. Her colleague, Amber Vinson, has also been declared Ebola free and more great news for her has not been released yet from Emory University Hospital.

And now Ebola has come to New York. Jason Carroll has more on big efforts underway right now to retrace Dr. Spencer's steps. Jason joins me now from outside Bellevue hospital. So what is the process on this? JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, basically what's been happening is the medical detectives have been retraced Dr. Craig Spencer's steps, basically going to the locations he went to, whether it is the meatball shop, which is a local restaurant chain here in New York City.

The Highline, a popular elevated walkway on the west side of Manhattan as well. He visited that at one point. Also going to another place called the Blue Bottle coffee shop on the High Line, finally ending up at a bowling alley, a place called "The Gutter" in Williamsburg.

And this is what health officials have to do. They have to retrace all of the steps based on what he is telling them. Also based on looking at his credit card and things like his metro card, and basically going over all the places and trying to find out exactly where he was before he got sick, before he started showing the symptoms.

Remember, he didn't exhibit a fever, that 103-point fever until yesterday at 10:15 a.m. and immediately after that he contacted doctors without borders and contacted health officials where he then became quote/unquote, "symptomatic."

COOPER: Have you spoken to people at some of these locations and if so what is their reaction?

CARROLL: Yes, you know, it is interesting. You know, we spent the day going to retracing his steps, going to these same places. I rode the subway, speaking to people there.

You get sort of a mixed bag. I mean, you definitely have a sense from some people who have fears and unease about having someone here in the city who has Ebola.

But overwhelmingly, Anderson, most of the people we spoke to said we will still ride the subway, and go to the meatball shop, which by the way has reopened this evening.

We're still going to go back there and bowl at the same place where he went bowling. When it really comes down to it people have confidence in the system here and medical officials here in terms of how they have been handling it, at least so far.

COOPER: All right, Jason Carroll, appreciate the update. Thanks, Jason.

Up next, we have more breaking news tonight, a man swinging the hatchet wounding two police officers. We told you about this last night, the breaking news. Why the New York City Police Department today says it was in fact an act of terror?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back. The New York City Police Department said that the hatchet attack in the borough of Queens, Thursday afternoon was in fact a terrorist attack, a man charged at the group of police officers wounding two of them.

One officer is in critical condition tonight. The other was treated at the hospital and released. Two other police fired their guns and killed the suspect. Our Deborah Feyerick has more on the investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A violent hatchet wielding attack in New York City is the latest of three tragic attacks. Authorities in the United States and Canada are investigating this week.

All were aimed at people in uniform. All seemingly inspired by terrorism, all authorities say, by loners, self-radicalized, online.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Today, the model here is mass marketing. They play to a wide audience on the number of web platform with increasingly sophisticated messaging and videos and outreach on the assumption that if just a few buy into that narrative and act out independently that will be enough.

FEYERICK: Police say that is what inspired Queens New York resident, Zale Thompson, the unemployed loner attacked four rookie cops with a hatchet, critically injuring one, two other officers opened fire, killing Thompson.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was this an act of terrorism? It appears at that point that was the suspect's intent.

FEYERICK: A friend of Thompson's believes the attack came more from Thompson's feelings about police.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a lot of people upset. I think he is one of them.

FEYERICK: Thompson's attack comes on the heels of Monday's incident in Quebec. Martin Releau run down two Canadian soldiers killing one before being fatally shot by responding officers. In Ottawa, Wednesday, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau murdered soldier, Nathan Cirillo, shutting down parliament when he raced inside with his hunting rifle.

He was also shot dead. In all three cases, the men's ties to ISIS or any other organization are very much in question. But run-ins with the law were a common trait among all three attackers at least two had a history of drug abuse in the case of the parliament shooter --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That he had a very developed criminality, violence and of drugs and of mental instability, combined with some of the things that gave rise to radicalization. I think it's where the focus of our investigation needs to be.

FEYERICK (on camera): Where does drug abuse and criminality come into play? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the fact that some individuals had problems with mental health can make it easier to make the leap from the belief towards action.

FEYERICK (voice-over): Action that now has authorities in two countries wondering if this was one bad week or the beginning of a violent, unpredictable trend.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: And Deb, the NYPD is saying this was in fact a terror attack. They're doing it based on the social media?

FEYERICK: They're looking very closely at all. It is really interesting because the police commissioner saying, yes, it is an act of terrorism, but his intelligence expert basically qualified at saying, now the FBI, we have learned, is going to launch an independent parallel investigation before they make their determination.

Everybody is really treading on this very, very carefully because they want to make sure that it is one thing and not a multitude of things, which it might be, but they're looking very carefully.

COOPER: All right, Deborah Feyerick, appreciate it very much. We are live all throughout the next hour on 360. We'll have update on the breaking news in Seattle, the deadly school shooting there, a student opening fire, killing another student, wounding several others before taking his own life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, good evening. Thanks for joining us tonight. Four young people are in the hospital with gunshot wounds. Three are critically ill. Another has died shot by a classmate who apparently took his own life. It all happened in Marysville, Washington, a half hour north of Seattle.