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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Trump Leads GOP Field; Biden May Run for President; Suspect in Shooting of Memphis Police Officer Turns Himself In; California Burning; Interview with Mick Fanning. Aired 8-9p ET

Aired August 03, 2015 - 20:00   ET

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

[20:00:10] ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Good evening. Thanks very much for joining us. We have breaking news tonight that could decide to which ten Republican presidential hopefuls make it on stage for the first debate of campaign 2016. It may also say a lot about Donald Trump's staying power.

There is new polling just out from FOX News which is of course running the debate. You can see it there. It shows Mr. Trump leading by a lot, 26 to 15 over Jeb Bush with Wisconsin governor Scott Walker third. And John Kasich who happens to be governor of state where the debate takes place. He barely squeaks in.

The latest Monmouth University survey earlier today also showing Donald Trump with 26 percent support and Governor Bush second and Governor Walker third. Again, Kasich makes it into the top ten. We could get several more national polls between now and when FOX News is going to make their debate decision.

Tom Foreman has more on all of that. He joins us now -- Tom?

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Anderson.

I can guarantee you everybody in Washington is looking at this tonight. Yes, only 10 of these 17 candidates get to be in the race. FOX has not told us specifically which polls they will rely on. But we have taken this new poll from FOX that you just mentioned. We folded it into our national average of polls, what we called the CNN poll of polls. And we can say with pretty good probability here, who will be on the stage.

And yes, right up top, Donald Trump, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker with double digits. They're all in. The next level down. You get Ted Cruz at seven percent. You get Ben Carson six percent. Mike Huckabee at six percent. And in down the last group come in here, Rand Paul with five percent, Marco Rubio with five percent, John Kasich, four percent and Chris Christie quick's in at three percent based on the average of national polls. This is likely the lineup.

Now for a while, it did look like Rick Perry might be able to squeeze in there, but these latest numbers tonight, bump him down to the bottom group here. The people who in all likelihood, Anderson will not be on stage unless we have some big surprise in the next few hours. COOPER: And Tom, FOX has said that there is going to be a second

debate on the same night for all candidates who don't make it into the main debate which will give them a chance of basically trying to claw their way on to the main stage in future debates.

FOREMAN: Yes, that's what those folks are going to hope for. They're going to look at everybody who is on the main stage. And hope that somebody stumbles somehow and in doing so opens up a slot for them. But there is a big caveat here. And that is that two-thirds of the people on the stage statistically are already long shots. And you can argue about who they are. But if you look at history, by this time in the race, the person who will be the party's eventual nominee is traditionally already polling in the double digits. That doesn't necessarily say that's what will happen this time. But what happened in the past. And that's why as I said at the top, Anderson, everybody in Washington is going over these numbers tonight.

COOPER: Yes, no doubt. Tom, thanks very much.

Given that kind of pressure to make the cut, candidates have been doing almost anything for an edge. Governor Kasich chose to enter the race just a couple weeks before the debate to try to take advantage of the polling bump that most new candidates enjoy. Others are dishing up red meat for their base and that's not just a figure of speech.

Here is candidate Ted Cruz, frying bacon on a gun barrel.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

COOPER: Rand Paul as you know has made a video taking a chain saw to the federal tax code. Lindsey Graham torched his cell phone and did other things to it as well. And of course, Donald Trump has his own planes and chopper.

For more on how long his lead might last and how his challengers may have to rethink their campaigns, joining us is former Reagan White House director Jeffrey Lord. He is in currently the "American Spectator," and CNN political commentator, Ana Navarro, a Jeb Bush supporter and a friend of Marco Rubio and CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile.

So Jeffrey, there new poll numbers for Donald Trump, two polls today putting him at 26 percent, way ahead of the others. As you know, there are a lot of people who will say, look just ignore Donald Trump at the debate. But how can the other candidates ignore the guy with 26 percent support?

JEFFREY LORD, FORMER REAGAN WHITE HOUSE POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You know, Anderson, at this point, we keep saying poll after poll after poll after poll that show some variation of the same thing. That he is ahead and ahead by a lot or at least, you know a reasonable sized margin which says these things are not outliers. I mean, these are measuring real sentiment out there. And I think now these candidates are beginning to take him seriously. I think governor Bush has sort of come around on that. Interestingly, I saw something today that Rupert Murdoch who sent

something out the other day that -- the other week he should stop embarrassing his friends and the country, et cetera. Suddenly, he said today, well, we need to be paying attention to what is happening here. I think there is something in these numbers.

[20:05:10] COOPER: Ana, what about that? I mean, you know, there are those who said all along, look, this is in large part because Donald Trump is a celebrity. There is huge name recognition. To be fair, Jeb Bush, who you are supporting, certainly has high name recognition.

ANA NAVARRO, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Yes, I don't think he is a celebrity to the same level. I don't think the name ID is to the same level. I think Jeb has high name ID when it comes to his last name. But people are just getting to know Jeb Bush the person, the governor and his record.

Look, I think most definitely, at this point, it is necessary to take Trump seriously. And if not Trump, certainly his message. And the message that voters, Republican voters and the people responding on these polls are sending by supporting him.

COOPER: And what is that message?

NAVARRO: We fed -- they are fed up with Washington. They're fed up with the dysfunction. They're fed up with things not getting solved. Not getting addressed. They're angry. They're frustrated. And they have had enough of it. And he is channeling that. And I think anybody on that stage, anybody running on either side is, you know, should frankly heed that message.

COOPER: Donna, I mean, I know you have talked about it, enjoying every news story about Donald Trump, getting popcorn, watching it every single night waiting to see what he is going to say. But might it be a case of, you know, be careful what you wish for. I mean, if Trump has a great night at the debates Thursday. He is measured. He is substantive, or however, you know, a great night, whatever great night means for him and for his supporters, won't you, will you have to take him more seriously. I mean, isn't it possible you could be facing a, a very strong candidate?

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, I'm not laughing at Donald Trump. I'm laughing at the process that we're undergoing to determine who should sit at the table so to speak. That's the gift. That Donald Trump has taken ahold of this process. And he is really done himself well. If you look at the polls, his favorability continues to go up. And I don't think it any just Washington.

The fact is that he is campaigning as a nonpolitician. The person who will get up and say what he believes. To be true. Even if we don't have the substance behind the sound bites. I think people are responding to someone who is just basically calling it as he sees it.

COOPER: Well, Donna, then you look at the Democrats, I mean, can anybody say that about Hillary Clinton? BRAZILE: You know, she is not campaigning like Donald Trump. She is

not going out there and calling people idiots are going to the border and saying Mexico should pay for this and not have a plan. Look, she is campaigning with a lot of substance. I mean, here criminal justice reform plan, her immigration plan, her climate change plan.

I mean, look, when you are a Democrat, you often campaign with plans and programs. When you are a Republican, I think sound bites work. Tomorrow night, it will be interesting - I mean, I'm sorry, later this week it will be interesting to see if Mr. Trump is there any substance behind some of the thing he's been saying.

COOPER: Jeffrey, what about that? I mean, do you think the Democrats have a problem here if Donald Trump is doing well because people say he is anti-Washington. He is telling it like it is. Do you see anybody on the democratic side who can compete with that?

LORD: You know, I think to be candid, I think Hillary Clinton has the same problem at some of the Republicans have. I think she is seen as a politician first and that's part of her problem. And that's part of the problem some of the Republicans have.

COOPER: Ana, there a story in "The New York Times" suggesting that Jeb Bush and his team actually like the Trump surge because if and when Trump implodes. Bush will emerge as the best option. Everyone else will kind of have been drowned out by Donald Trump. Trump says that's false that Bush is quote "miserable." What do you have to say?

NAVARRO: You know, I think -- I don't think - I mean, you know, I don't know. But I don't think Jeb is miserable. I see him out there on the campaign trail being frankly joyful, which is something that he set out to do, that he wanted to be a positive campaigner, a happy warrior for the cause.

What I do think is that it's hard to argue that Trump is not hurting a lot of the candidates on the right lane of the Republican Party. If you see Bobby Jindal's number, if you see Marco Rubio's numbers, if you Rand Paul's numbers. Frankly, Donald Trump has taken the air out of those tires. And you know, let me tell you something. I want to tell you something, to my friend, Donna.

Yes, you know the Trump phenomena has been very entertaining on the Republican side. Let's see what comes of it. But girl, I am going to be popping some popcorn when Joe Biden gets into the race. It is going to be time for me to come on to the air with my bag of skinny girl popcorn.

COOPER: Donna --

BRAZILE: Whatever you need to enjoy this process, as far as I'm concerned as long as it is legal. Enjoy yourself. Here's the one thing.

COOPER: Depend on what state you are in what's legal?

BRAZILE: That's true. I live in D.C. COOPER: But Donna, we are doing a lot more of this later in the show.

But you are well sourced, obviously, within the Democratic Party. I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about whether you think vice president Biden will jump into the race?

[20:10:09] BRAZILE: You know, I think he is still deciding. You now, the vice president has a lot of good will. People love him. He is a natural leader. He is a beloved figure. He said he will decided by the end of the summer. So I take him at his wrote. Right now, there are people who are trying to draft him. At the end of the day, he must make this decision. He has done a terrific job as vice president. There is a lane open for him. If he wants to jump in, come on in. There is a lot of lanes open.

COOPER: But Donna, you know how all this stuff plays out. When does he have to decide? I know, you said he said by the end of summer. Is that really you think the cutoff date?

BRAZILE: Yes, no question. Let me tell you why. Two things. One, the largest number of delegates will be meeting at the end of this month in Minneapolis, Democratic National Committee. And then by October, they' there are filing deadlines. And clearly, if you are going to run, you need to start raising money. And it costs a lot of money to fly air force two to political events.

COOPER: Yes. Donna Brazile, good to have you on. Jeffrey Lord, Ana Navarro as always, thank you.

BRAZILE: Thank you.

NAVARRO: Thank you.

LORD: Thanks.

COOPER: Just ahead tonight, we are going to dig deeper on what we mentioned, the Joe Biden factor and how he could really shake up the race and how Hillary Clinton might answer the challenge from her long- time colleague in the senate and the White House.

And later tonight, breaking news in a police shooting of African- American man, Samuel Dubose, shot as you know a point-blank range, the officer now charged with murder. Part of the stop involved a liquor bottle that Mr. Dubose said did not contain liquor. Tonight we know the answer out what was really inside.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:15:05] COOPER: Poised in number one in the campaign so far, of course, Donald Trump beating all Republican contenders in the polls by a lot. We mentioned surprise number two before the break, the possibility of a big name Democratic challenger to Hillary Clinton, namely, vice president Joe Biden.

"New York Times" columnist Maureen Dowd really got the ball rolling this weekend writing that Mr. Biden is weighing a run. Today, the informal draft Biden movement got a substantial boost. And CNN's Jeff Zeleny has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Looking for a job, but the question for Joe Biden is, which one? He is long eyed the presidency and is still considering joining the 2016 race.

The summertime speculation has suddenly hit full boil over whether he'll challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. One factor weighing heavy. His son beau Biden urged his father to run before dying of brain cancer in May. And now, one of beau Biden's close advisers is joining a grassroots movement called draft Biden. And the vice president is holding political meetings of his own with his old network of supporters to see if there is interest in backing a new campaign.

Questions about Clinton's candidacy hang over the Biden boom. A recent Quinnipiac poll showed only 37 percent viewed Clinton as honest and trustworthy while 57 percent did not. For Biden it was the reverse, 58 percent found him honest and trustworthy, 34 percent did not. New Hampshire Democrat Mary Carey Foley is all but begging Biden to run.

MARY CAREY FOLEY, LONGTIME FRIEND OF BIDEN FAMILY: Hillary does have a problem with trust in this country right now. And I do believe that when and if he decides to run, Joe will add a new dimension to this race.

ZELENY: Biden has run for president twice before. He has never ruled out a third time. If he did, the gaffes would follow him into the race. Like this famous expletive right before President Obama signed the healthcare law.

He told CNN's Gloria Borger last year he would make his own decision.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Will you run if she runs?

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Absolutely. That's not the reason not to run or to run. The question is, am I convinced I am best positioned of anyone else to lead the country.

ZELENY: But Clinton has a big head start. She is airing her first TV commercials tomorrow.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe that when families are strong, America is strong. It's your time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: And Jeff joins me now.

So the first TV ad is airing tomorrow. It is just a coincidence that this is all happening, as this Biden news is bubbling over, right? ZELENY: Sure, Anderson. I mean, these ads were filmed two months ago

aides tell me. So they're not in direct response to the flurry of speculation about the vice president. But like most things in politics, they also aren't entirely unrelated. This whole Biden discussion might not be happening at all if some Democrats didn't perceive an opening and vulnerabilities for Clinton. Now these ads, $2 million, in Iowa and New Hampshire, are designed to soften her image and remind voters of why she is running for president -- Anderson.

COOPER: Jeff, thank you very much.

I want to bring in the panel, CNN commentator and former senior Obama advisor, Dan Pfeiffer, CNN political commentator and former campaign manager for Hillary Clinton, Patti Solis Doyle, and Dick Harpootlian.

Patti, you obviously have strong ties to both Hillary Clinton and to Joe Biden. Do you want to see him get in the race?

PATTI SOLIS DOYLE, FORMER CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR HILLARY CLINTON: No, look. I think, Joe Biden would be a very formidable candidate. I think he is a sitting vice president. He has been the vice president in the room with Barack Obama when the tough decisions get made. He has incredible relationships with Congress on both sides of the aisle. And you know what? He is incredibly relatable and likable. And in this particular climate, in 2016, where tell it like it is candidates are prevailing, I think what was once a negative for him, his tendency for gaffes can be a real positive this time around.

COOPER: Do you think he will get in the race?

DOYLE: You know that is a really personal decision. And I can't even imagine nor will I presume to speculate about how the death of his son is impacting that decision. But I think with Steve Rashetti, his chief of staff, has to do right now is answer some questions. Can he raise the money? Can he recruit the staff needed as a political talent? Can he set up an organization in the early states? And if the answers to those questions are yes, then, you know, why not?

COOPER: Dan, you obviously read the Maureen Dowd column over the weekend that gave new focus, I guess, to the conversation, the idea that Beau Biden wanted his father to run for president. Do you think that will factor into the vice president's decision?

DAN PFEIFFER, FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA: Like I said. I think that is a very personal decision. I'm hesitant to try even imagine what the vice president has been going through or how that can affect the decision.

Look, I don't know if he will run. I think I will be surprised if he did. But he has more than earned the right to run. And if he did he would be a formidable candidate.

COOPER: Why surprised?

PFEIFFER: Well, look. I think that, you know, it is awfully late in the game. I think that Hillary Clinton would have an advantage in large part because she had, you know, months to be organized in the early states, raising money or creating supporters. But if there is any candidate left who can get in the race and still have a shot at this point, the vice president would be the only one.

COOPER: Dick, I know you are a staunch Biden supporter. You think he should run against Clinton. You are not concerned about the number of supporters she already has locked up, the amount of money, to Dan's point?

DICK HARPOOTLIAN FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN: No. And let me say this. There are a couple things going on. Josh Alcom, who was Beau Biden's chief of staff, announced yesterday. And I talked to him this morning. He is going with the draft Biden movement. He is calling around, soliciting supporters and soliciting money. I made a commitment today to a substantial contribution to the draft Biden effort. So there is an effort going on.

I do think Joe Biden ought to run if he can put, look, the loss of him, he lost two children, but the loss of this child, this recently, is something he has got to decide whether he can put that aside and run for president. I mean he has a very, been through a very, very traumatic process and period. So that is, that's a decision he -- a personal decision he has to make. But if he makes that decision, I believe heave will be the next president of the United States.

COOPER: Do you -- is it that you support Biden so much or you don't believe Hillary Clinton can win or would be a good president?

HARPOOTLIAN: Well, I think there is - it is a combination of both. I think Hillary Clinton, you know, I supported Barack Obama over her in 2007 and 2008. I don't think she is a very good candidate. And I don't think she has that relatability factor that Patti talked a moment ago. I think we see in her delivery that she checks off the points. But I am getting calls from people all over the state who are committed or said they are going to support Hillary that was switch tomorrow if Joe got in the race simply because Joe inspires them. Joe magnetizes them. He has that charisma. He has got that connectivity that she does not have. So I don't think she can win in November of 2016. I think Joe Biden can.

COOPER: Patti, what do you make about that? Because I mean, you know, are you concerned the controversy over Hillary Clinton's emails, you know, the criticisms of her on the campaign trail, her unfavorability ratings have gotten worse. Are those warning signs to you?

DOYLE: No. Look, I disagree. First of all, I think Hillary Clinton would make a fantastic president. And I think she is very charismatic. You know, when she is on the job, when she was secretary of state, when she was U.S. senator, when she was first lady, her numbers were incredible, were very high. So obviously, when you put yourself on --.

COOPER: So what's going wrong now? DOYLE: She is running for president. She inserted herself into the

political arena and she is being attacked. And her numbers, you know, logically fall. I think if Joe Biden got in the race, his numbers would fall too. That's just, that's just life in politics.

COOPER: Dan, as a campaigner she has come under criticism. There are people who say she gets better as campaigns go along. And perhaps even the entrance of a Joe Biden would actually be good for, for her if she does in fact become the nominee.

PFEIFFER: Look, I think, I thought for a long time that competitive democratic primary would be the best thing for Hillary Clinton.

COOPER: You think that would help her?

PFEIFFER: Look, whether if the vice president gets in or not, I think if we have a competitive primary, whether it is Bernie Sanders or Martin O'Malley or others, I think that's good. The Hillary Clinton that was facing Barack Obama in 2008, towards the end when we pretty much locked it up was a formidable candidate. She would have been great. She would have won in 2008 if she had won the nomination. If that candidate had showed up, we might have been in trouble, has she should earlier on.

HARPOOTLIAN: I want to clarify something. I didn't say that I thought that Hillary Clinton would be a bad president. I say that I don't think she can get elected in November because of states like North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico states that Obama carried in at least 2008 and some in 2012, I just don't think she has the appeal that Joe Biden does have to independents.

COOPER: Dick, appreciate you being on. Dan Pfeiffer as well and Patti Solis Doyle, thank you.

DOYLE: Thank you.

PFEIFFER: Thank you.

COOPER: That was Dick Harpootlian. And I mingled his name the first time. I apologized.

Just ahead. Breaking news out of Cincinnati where officials have release new information about the gin bottle found in a man's car during what started as a routine traffic stop, the police officer shot him to death, shot him in the head point-blank. So what was in the bottle? The answer coming up.

Also the man suspected in the shooting death of a Memphis, Tennessee police officer has turned himself in. Details on that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:28:47] COOPER: There is breaking news out of Cincinnati, about the gin bottle confiscated during a traffic stop that ended in the fatal shooting of Samuel Dubose, an unarmed African-American man. The incident of course captured on the officer's body camera. Here's the part where there is new information about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMUEL DUBOSE, SHOT AND KILLED BY OFFICER RAY TENSING: I have a bottle of air freshener. (INAUDIBLE) it is a bottle of air freshener.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, the bottle said gin. But the driver said it was a bottle of air freshener. Turned out Mr. Dubose was right. There was not any gin in the bottle. Moments after that exchange about gin bottle, Officer Ray Tensing shot Mr. Dubose in the head at point-blank range.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY TENSING, SHOT AND KILLED SAMUEL DUBOSE: Go had and take off your seatbelt. Stop. Stop.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: The car rolls off and crashes to a stop. Officer Tensing as you know has been charged with murder.

CNN's Jean Casarez joins me now along with CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin.

If there wasn't gin in the bottle, what was it, Jean?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the coroner's office confirmed with CNN today that it is actually compound associated with fragrance or perfumes and that's what he said. He said that it was air freshener. But here is what's interesting. They're doing a lot of toxicology testing here. Other items in the car being tested and they say they will not come out with any other results until they have conclusions or results in all of them. Why did they come up with this?

[20:30:00]

And this is a preliminary result. But it's -- obviously it's more likely true.

COOPER: Sunny, does this change anything, really? At issue isn't so much what came before. It was the moment whether, at what point you believe things started to -- to lead to the shooting. But the car was started. The officer reached in. And the gun went off.

HOSTIN: Yes, I think it certainly changes the complexion of the stop. Right? When you are stopping someone, and as an officer perhaps you think that there is alcohol -- alcohol or drugs in the car. It's clear to me and I think everyone when you look at the bottle, it was filled with a yellow liquid. Gin is clear, it's transparent. So certainly I think the officer knew right away it wasn't gin. But it may have changed the complexion of the stop. It may have ratcheted things up. And he did have-- (CROSSTALK)

COOPER: The officer didn't make a big, he just moved on, he didn't mention it, he looked at it, held it up to the camera, and then he moved on. And Mr. Dubose I guess didn't tell the truth about having a suspended license. Again, not that --

HOSTIN: But he did tell the truth about having this air freshener. And let's face it, it's not illegal to have a closed bottle of alcohol in your car. Many of us have gone to the wine shop, and bought wine and are driving back. So that in and of itself isn't illegal. I think it may have changed sort of the continuum of that traffic stop, because he was fishing, this officer, he was asking questions, he was looking for things that are in plain view in a car, and that is perfectly legal. But again, I think to Jeanne's point, it is interesting that he was being very transparent about that particular issue, what was in the car.

COOPER: Jean, there is a lot we don't know about the grand jury and what went into their decision to end up going for murder, of the police officer, we talked, Sunny, you were on the program. We talked to the attorney for the police officer, who said that he believes a closer analysis of this video justifies the officer's shooting, that the officer was being dragged by this vehicle. A lot of people who see this don't necessarily see that. We don't know whether, how closely the grand jury watched the video, do we?

CASAREZ: No, we don't. But we do know the other two officers that were the assisting officers, that the grand jury met, conceivably last week on them. They decided not to return an indictment. Those two officers actually testified before the grand jury, and in their statements -- and we learned this late on Friday -- they said they did not observe a dragging. So that is something that really hurts the defense right here. They initially had said or alluded to, the report was written in a way to appear as though those officers--

COOPER: That is not what they told the grand jury.

CASAREZ: Correct.

COOPER: That's interesting. Wow, which obviously could be a big development. All along, the officers, theoretically had backed up with this -- what this officer did.

HOSTIN: Absolutely. And it's quite a departure. We first thought there was this blue code of silence going on, blue wall of silence, where they were backing up what seemingly is a false report that was filed by Officer Tensing. But I think the bottom line is this is going to come down to the video. And it is going to come down to whether or not a jury believes that he was dragged. When I see it, there is just no way that this officer was acting in self-defense. That just doesn't make sense. And I think that jurors will ask themselves, are my eyes lying to me? Are my eyes deceiving me? And that's why it is so important this officer was wearing a body camera.

CASAREZ: And my question was, if he's got a body cam, why don't we see the body cam showing he is being dragged.

COOPER: Again, we will see what the attorney, whether he does closer analysis and can actually show anything, which a lot of people don't see. Sunny, thank you very much. Jean Casarez, thank you very much.

More breaking news tonight. Officials in Tennessee say Tremaine Wilbourn, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a police officer in Memphis, has now turned himself in. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation had put him on their top ten most wanted list earlier today. The officer he allegedly killed, 33-year-old Sean Bolton, was shot during a routine traffic stop as he approached an illegally parked car. Nick Valencia has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Memphis police tonight announcing the man wanted for killing a police officer is now in custody. 29- year-old Tremaine Wilbourn turned himself in this evening following a two-day manhunt. It began Saturday night, when Officer Sean Bolton spotted an illegally parked car. As he approaches, police say he is confronted by Wilbourn, who opens fire. A citizen uses the officer's radio to call for help. But it is too late.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Officer down in front of the location.

TONY ARMSTRONG, MEMPHIS POLICE DIRECTOR: This is just a reminder of how dangerous this job is.

VALENCIA: Bolton, a former Marine who served in Iraq, had been on the force nearly five years. Investigators believe he interrupted a drug deal Saturday night, and that's why Wilbourn, a convicted felon, shot the officer multiple times. Memphis Police Director Tony Armstrong visibly emotional shortly after the shooting.

[20:35:00]

ARMSTRONG: As a community, we say so often there is a theme that, do black lives matter? And at the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, do all lives matter? Regardless of race, creed, color, economic status, what profession that person holds, all lives matter.

VALENCIA: In the last four years, three Memphis police officers including Bolton have been shot and killed in the line of duty.

ARMSTRONG: When you look at this individual, you are looking at a coward. He is a coward.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Nick joins us. Nick, the suspect turned himself in. Where is he now?

VALENCIA: Shortly before 5:00 p.m. local time, he turned himself over to the U.S. Marshal Service, and was immediately handed over to local authorities. We believe, Anderson, he is still in custody of the homicide detectives, where he is currently being interrogated. We were told by police that during that initial interrogation, he told them, quote, I am not a cold-blooded killer, I'm not a coward. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow. Anderson.

COOPER: Nick, thank you for the reporting. Nick Valencia. Thank you. A very busy day and weekend for firefighters all across California. This is what they're facing. Nearly -- fires now burning up and down the Golden State. They're getting a bit of a break from cooler weather, but they could face new danger if thunderstorms erupt. More on the challenge now from our Paul Vercammen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: California burning. At least 21 major fires are currently raging in the parched state. The bone dry landscape, gusty winds, and low humidity are creating a tinderbox of sorts, fueled by lightning. Daunting conditions for the nearly 10,000 firefighters battling the fires. A U.S. Forest Service firefighter from South Dakota was killed while working a fire in Modoch (ph) County. The married father of two was scouting ways to attack burning fire when he became trapped by flames. As the fire ravages anything in its path--

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looked like a bomb had went off over here. It's scary.

VERCAMMEN: The largest blaze, the Rocky fire, has burned up to 60,000 acres in three counties just north of wine country.

CAPT. STEVE KAUFMANN, VENTURA COUNTY FIRE: There are firefighters that have 20, 25, 30 years on the job, that have never seen fire behavior like we have seen the last couple of days here on the Rocky fire.

VERCAMMEN: The reason, fire officials say four years of drought and 100 degree heat have created conditions perfect for explosive growth. So far, two dozen homes have been destroyed. Governor Jerry Brown declaring a state of emergency, and evacuations have been ordered for more than 13,000 Californians, leaving many worried that their homes may be in the fire's path.

STEPHEN BARRIOS, CALIFORNIA RESIDENT: Hopefully the fire doesn't come this far and burn our stuff down. So we'll come back to at least something. You know, our house still here.

VERCAMMEN: From the air you can see the intensity as the wall of flames moving across the tree-lined mountains. Crews on the scene digging control lines, setting controlled burns hoping to stop the fire in its tracks by lighting brush and fuel in the blaze's path.

DANIEL BERLANT, CHIEF OF PUBLIC INFORMATION: To see conditions burning like they are right now is definitely concerning. That's why it is so important that we get the public's help. Prevent sparking a fire is what we need. Really, one less spark this summer means one less wildfire. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: That was Paul Vercammen reporting. Just ahead tonight, I will talk to world class surfer, Mick Fanning, about his close call with a great white shark during a surfing competition. The attack played out on live television as millions watched and held their breath. We have the real story ahead.

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[20:42:40]

COOPER: Well, tonight, three time World Surf League champion Mick Fanning is sharing details of his terrifying brush with a great white shark. As you know, it happened during a live broadcast of a surfing competition. Everyone watching saw that dorsal fin moments before Fanning himself saw the danger. Amazingly he managed to get away without a scratch. He recently went back into the water for the first time since the attack. And 60 Minutes Australia was filming it. Take a look what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unbelievable as it might seem, on his very first surf since the attack, Mick sees a fin and races back to shore.

MICK FANNING, SURFER: I'm sitting on the (inaudible), like (inaudible), sitting on there, and then we saw a tiny little fin. A tiny little fin. You won't believe it, yes, I swear to God.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: First time back in the water, he sees a fin. Mick Fanning joins me tonight.

So Mick, take me back to the day. You are competing in South Africa. You are on the board. You felt something behind you. What was the moment you noticed there was a shark there?

FANNING: Yes, I sort of felt like there was a -- a sort of splash on me. And when that happened, I just sort of felt something start pulling on my leg. And I guess that was when it was stuck in my leg rope. I knew something was wrong then.

COOPER: Had you seen sharks out there before?

FANNING: I haven't seen sharks out there at that time. But yes, not, not so much that close. You know, a bit of a bait fish around and stuff look that. I hadn't seen many sharks up until then.

COOPER: So when the fin of the shark comes out of the water, that's when the viewers realized what was going on. Was that the first kind of actual glimpse you got of it?

FANNING: Yes, pretty much. What the viewers saw is exactly, you know, how I first saw it too. You know, I think if I saw it earlier, I would have raised the alarms and came in. But unfortunately, it was too quick, happened too fast. Yes, we all got to see what happened.

COOPER: It seemed like it kept coming back. What was the sequence of events? You see the fin. Then what?

FANNING: Yes, so the first time when it came through, it sort of -- that was when everything that you could see. But then, yes, as it knocked me off the board, it circled back again.

[20:45:00]

And that's where I was like, oh, do I swim for my board, or do I swim for shore. It came right next to me. And -- and, luckily it didn't go for me. It just went for my board. But I stopped. And turned around, just to make sure I could see what was coming. The best I could anyway. Not that I could do much.

COOPER: Yes, I was curious about that. Because is seeing it better than not seeing it at that point? I mean--

FANNING: Well, I guess so, you know. Like, you never know how you are going to react.

COOPER: Sure, of course.

FANNING: And you speak to divers or speak to other people that have been in that situation. And you know, I can get a shot on its nose or something look that. Might deter it. So that's sort of how I was thinking. But, yes, I didn't -- I didn't know if I would have had enough time to react, or whatever. I just thought, well, you know, kind of can't go down without a fight.

COOPER: There was a time when a wave blocks the view. And -- and the viewers, we can't see what's happening. At that point, were you separated from your board?

FANNING: Yes, I had been knocked off my board. And, yes, that's when the -- the shark bit through my leg rope. And -- but, yes, it circled back around. That's when it, yes, just came straight past me. I was just pushing my way away from it. You know? And, just trying to, just trying to get out of its way, really. And then, yes, I had that decision to either go for my board, or, or go for shore, and I figured the shark was closer to my board. So I went to shore.

COOPER: I understand you got back to the water pretty quickly?

FANNING: Yes, I took about a week out. And then went back in. And that was a -- another funny story in itself. I think we saw a fin, first surf back.

COOPER: Wait a minute, you go back to the water, your first time back in the water, you see another fin?

FANNING: Yes, yes. Luckily I was on a jet ski at that stage. So it was all good.

COOPER: I mean, what are the chances of seeing another shark, that's crazy?

FANNING: Yes. I don't know. I think, I was in my head at that time I was like, is this a sign to maybe give up?

COOPER: Well, I don't know if this means you are like the luckiest guy or the unluckiest guy?

FANNING: I'll take the glass half full.

COOPER: Probably wise. Which is what makes you so good. And you are going to continue surfing, I mean, what, it's not stopping you?

FANNING: No, definitely not. You know, I have been surfing a little bit more over the last week or so. And I go to an event in Tahiti in a week. So yes, really, I need to get over there and hopefully get some good waves. And, yes, you know, get back into the events.

COOPER: Well, Mick, really great to talk to you. I'm glad you are doing okay and getting back out there. Thank you so much.

FANNING: See you, Anderson. Take it easy.

COOPER: OK. Coming up next. Remembering a 9-year-old bat boy who died after a batter accidentally hit him in the head during a practice swing. When his father and teammates spoke today, there were obviously a lot of tears, but also a lot of smiles to see how this little boy, Kaiser Carlile, touched so many lives when we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:52:00]

COOPER: There are certainly a lot of tears and heartache in Kansas and across the country tonight for a 9-year-old bat boy, his name, Kaiser Carlile. He was accidentally hit in the head by a practice swing at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita over the weekend. He was wearing a helmet, but his injury was simply too grave. He died on Sunday. Tournament organizers announced today they suspended the use of bat boys and girls. However, the tournament will go on. Kaiser's family and his teammates say that's what he would have wanted. The little buy who would have been a 4th grader later this month, idolized his team, the Bee Jays of Liberal, Kansas. The feeling was mutual. Gary Tuchman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is no shortage of 9-year-olds who love baseball and dream of being a bat boy. Kaiser Carlile was one of them. And he got to live that dream out with the Liberal, Kansas Bee Jays, one of the teams in the Amateur National Baseball Congress, a summer league for mostly college players. Adam Anderson is the team's head coach.

ADAM ANDERSON, COACH: He was as much of a part of the team as any one else out here. TUCHMAN: The Bee Jays had made it to the world series. But on

Saturday a freak horrifying accident. A Bee Jays player took a practice swing in the on-deck circle, not seeing that little Kaiser had come out there to retrieve a bat. Kaiser had a helmet, but it wasn't enough to protect him when he got hit in the head. The home plate umpire, who was a paramedic, started treating him. As other medical personnel arrived, players on the field prayed for the bat boy who was critically hurt and rushed to the hospital. The next day the team had another game in the tournament and won. But right after it ended, they found out their bat boy, Kaiser Carlile, had died. Kadon Simmons is a pitcher on the team.

KADON SIMMONS, PITCHER: It is amazing how much someone can touch your life in such a short time, and how like, just how -- how big of an influence someone can make on you.

TUCHMAN: Players and coaches talked with reporters about their love for this young man. But they were also addressing Kaiser's family. Third baseman Brady Cox talked about one game where Kaiser was a bit under the weather and lying down on the bench.

BRADY COX, THIRD BASEMAN: I asked him what was wrong. He was like man, I'm not feeling well. I was like, I feel your pain, man, I'm oh for two. I understand. He was just like, man, it's all right. You got more bats, I appreciate it. He gave me a high five. And I went to bat, I hit a home run.

SIMMONS: Never had a little brother that I could, you know, be a guy with. And I just want to thank you guys for that.

TUCHMAN: He wasn't planning on talking. But Kaiser's father made the decision to do so after hearing what players and coaches had to say about his son. He did not want them to feel guilty.

CHAD CARLILE, FATHER: Me myself personally, I just feel bad for the team. I understand, I got my loss with my son, but it's just as hurtful for them. Kaiser was one to bring a smile to everyone's face.

[20:55:00]

I'm not saying I actually was the one that taught him, but I tried to raise him the best I could to be that type of person. I never knew how much he actually touched people until now.

TUCHMAN: Chad Carlile wished the Bee Jays players good luck as they finished the world series, and then hugged his daughter, Kaiser's little sister. And the members of the team who cared for Kaiser so much wanted his family to know just how much.

COX: How much he's touched me in the short amount of time I have known him, and how much he means to me, I can't imagine what his family is going through. And you will always be in my heart for that. And, Kaiser will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never step on the field and not think of him. I just want to say thank you for blessing us with him.

TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: The team has created a Gofundme page to assist Kaiser's family with expenses. Go to our website, ac360.com for a link and all the details.

Still to come tonight, our breaking news. Donald Trump surging in new polling. Skipping a candidates forum in New Hampshire tonight. But several others are on stage. We'll have the latest on that.

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