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Murder Charge Filed After Boy Killed Playing Doorbell Prank; Interview with Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX): House Oversight Committee to Meet with Epstein Victims; China's Xi to Flaunt Vision of New Global Order at Military Parade; Burning Man Death Being Investigated as a Homicide. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired September 02, 2025 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And the welcome back may feel a little bit more like a punch in the face considering the long list of to-do's and very tight deadlines that they have -- that they are facing now in order to decide.

Plus a murder investigation underway at Burning Man with tens of thousands of festival goers now leaving the Nevada desert.

I'm Kate Bolduan with John Berman. Sara is out today. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BOLDUAN: We do have breaking news just coming in now on that tragedy out of Houston, Texas that we were talking about. We have been covering very closely. Charges now filed after the deadly shooting of an 11-year-old Texas boy as he was playing a harmless game of ding- dong ditch. Let's get right back to CNN's Ed Lavandera on this.

Ed, what have you learned?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're just seeing in court filings this morning in Harris County, where Houston is, that a murder charge has been filed against a 42-year-old man by the name of Leon Gonzalo Jr. He's expected to make a court appearance at some point today, presumably coming out of the Labor Day holiday. But investigators had kind of hinted toward this over the last few days as the investigators were investigating the shooting scene where this 11-year-old boy was shot and killed Saturday night just after 11 o'clock after this group of kids was going through this neighborhood in East Houston, knocking on doors, ringing doorbells, and running away as a prank. And that is when investigators say that this suspect came out of the house and fired shots at the group of kids.

And investigators had been saying, Kate, over the weekend that they believed that this would not amount to a self-defense claim, that they anticipated these murder charges, but that murder charge now becoming official here this morning -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes, and Ed, this is the news that people had been -- that's what we had talked about last hour, is are charges coming, and we didn't know the identity of who could be charged. We still don't know the identity of the child. We have not yet heard from the family.

But on that, when you're saying what you've heard from police about that they do not see a self-defense claim considering the circumstances here, we also did hear the investigators say that the shooting did not happen close to the home. How does that factor into this? What have you learned?

LAVANDERA: Right, you know, that's what the investigators had said over the weekend, that one of the reasons they did not believe that this was a self-defense claim is because, A, the child appears to have suffered, according to these initial reports, the wounds to the back, and also that it did not take place -- the shooting did not take place or the child was not shot on the home property, which investigators obviously, I think, would lead more to suspect that there was some sort of defense claim, fearful for someone's life.

But from what witnesses say, you know, that the man had come out shooting away from the home and that the shooting and the child were hit away from the property of this home. So in these types of situations, you have to be able to prove a self-defense claim, that you were fearful for your life in that situation and that you were in your home or around your home. So clearly, the details of this shooting taking place away from the property, it was not exactly clear at this point, we're not exactly clear just how far away it was, but clearly investigators hinted to the idea that it was far enough away where it raised serious doubts of whether or not this could be a self- defense claim going forward.

But those are the details we have at this point. Still very early on in all of this, as we mentioned, we've tried reaching out to the property owner over the weekend, we have not heard back.

But presumably, this suspect now in custody in the Harris County Jail, facing a murder charge now this morning.

BOLDUAN: That's very big news and a very big development this morning. We'll see as it continues to develop in the wee hours there. Great to see you, Ed, thank you so much for the breaking news -- John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, happening today, Congress back in session after a month away. Lawmakers are returning to a whole bunch of high-stakes battles. On top of the list, funding the government to avoid a shutdown. There are also the fights over releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, President Trump's nominations before the Senate, the turmoil at the CDC, and the push to ban lawmakers from trading individual stocks. Plus a comprehensive crime package the president says is coming.

With us now is Congressman Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas who is on the House Oversight Committee. Congressman, always great to speak with you.

[08:05:00] And the House Oversight Committee today, we understand, will meet with some victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. What can you tell us about these meetings and what do you hope to learn?

REP. PETE SESSIONS (R-TX), OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: Well, what we're hoping to learn is the information which they would give us. We believe that we have now a good bit of information that has come to us via the Department of Justice. And yet there has to be some way to look at that and then to ask further questions.

The information that has come in is not bland. It just does not give a full context. And so it's that full context that the committee is looking for.

BERMAN: Interesting. A good bit of information, your colleague, because you've had a chance to go through some of it right now. But it doesn't give the full context.

Congressmen Massie and Ro Khanna, bipartisan pairing right there, continue to push for this discharge petition, which would call on the Justice Department to release even more. I spoke to the House Speaker last week who seemed to suggest he didn't think it was necessary. How do you feel about that?

SESSIONS: The need for us to move through the document is what we're attempting to do. John, last time we spoke, I indicated that it would take us quite some time, but it was a bipartisan attempt. It is not just the committee. It's not just Republicans wishing for this. It is a bipartisan attempt, and I think we will get much more.

We will see things. I'm sure we will have some disagreements. But that information of this information, they will give both sides context about what we're trying to look at and see.

BERMAN: Will you vote for the discharge petition?

SESSIONS: No, I will not vote for a discharge petition. The discharge petition is essentially when we're not working together, not when we are working together. And the need for getting the data and the information, all of it, is still apparent to all of us.

At least James Comer recognizes that. And so we're going to work through what we've got and work together on a bipartisan effort. So no need to go for a discharge petition.

BERMAN: You've had a little bit of time to go through some of the information you've been given. Can you tell us just one new thing that you've learned?

SESSIONS: No, no, because the committee understands that we have an obligation, Republicans and Democrats, to hold this information until we're able to work together. It does no one any good to try and spout out what they've learned. So in the spirit of trying to work together, I think it's the right thing to do to say, John, so good to see you today, we're going to keep working at it. BERMAN: Well, you can't blame me for trying there. Congressman, we do understand there's going to be an event later today at the White House about the Defense Department. We don't know exactly what it will be.

But the president has talked out loud, mused, about trying to change the name of the Department of Defense back to the Department of War, which was changed after World War II. How do you feel about that? Why would it be necessary?

SESSIONS: Well, the context that the president's seeing is military that needs to be prepared for defending this country, and that does mean war. I tend to like, I've gotten accustomed to the Defense Department because it implies a series of things. You know, every single War Department needs intelligence also, and War Department takes us, I think, to a more modern term.

But I'm willing to listen if there's some belief that they have that they need to make this a part of who we recruit, what their job is. I have a nephew that is actively engaged in the Air Force as what's called a PJ, and I will tell you that they are very focused off strict guidelines, who they bring in, and the training involved. So I'm pleased that we've now taken the perspective we're preparing for war at any time.

BERMAN: So, I'm sorry, I missed what you said at the very beginning. Do you prefer the Department of Defense or the Department of War?

SESSIONS: Oh, I've gotten used to the Department of Defense. I'm very comfortable with that. But I think the inside view is, is that across the military, just like it happened with when Mr. General Schwarzkopf was up at Wainwright Air Army Base, he said in the mid-'80s they were not prepared for a war, that they saw it as playing army rather than playing war. So I do understand the context with the deep background that you get when you read and see the military. They are there to protect this country, and that does mean war in today's terms.

BERMAN: Congressman Pete Sessions from Texas, thanks so much for being with us today.

New this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Trump and said Russia, quote, never had any desire to attack anyone. That's three years after Russia invaded Ukraine.

[08:10:00]

And we should note, as Vladimir Putin has blown past the deadline that Donald Trump gave for meetings -- to agree on meetings with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

New video of a new dust storm over Phoenix. Look at that. And there could be more to come with residents preparing for winds of 50 miles per hour or more.

And Bigfoot believers far and wide gather for the ultimate Bigfoot meeting.

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[08:15:00]

BERMAN: All right, breaking overnight. Huge meetings in China that challenge U.S. interests around the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting down with China's Xi Jinping.

Now, Putin claimed that Russia never had any desire to attack anyone, a notion which, of course, flies in the face of the actual Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Putin and Xi spent hours together smiling, sipping tea. Xi has welcomed leaders from across Asia and the Middle East for a regional security summit ahead of a huge military parade, which is already underway.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, who just arrived in Beijing -- you can see right there -- will be in attendance. There is his armored train.

Let's get right to seeing as Marc Stewart in Beijing with the very latest on what you're seeing.

Hey, Mark.

MARC STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John. Good morning. Look, it is just after eight o'clock in the evening here in Beijing.

And as we anticipate that start of the parade first thing tomorrow morning, we are really being prepared to be overwhelmed with optics in the sense that we will have all of these world leaders here with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a unified front almost against the West.

Let's talk briefly about this meeting we saw earlier today with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. These two men have shared what's been described as this no limits friendship. Once again today, the kinship was very strong. Remember, China has not condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

China continues to be the top buyer of Russian oil. In fact, a deal was announced today about the creation of a new gas pipeline that certainly could help benefit China.

And then we heard from Putin, very warm words about his relationship with China and Xi Jinping. Let's take a brief listen to some of his remarks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I thank you for the warm welcome extended to our entire delegation. Our close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations, which are at an unprecedentedly high level.

(END VIDEO CLIP) STEWART: And all of this is leading up to tomorrow morning's big military parade through the streets of Beijing that will cross through Tiananmen Square -- in front of Tiananmen Square. And there we will see Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un all standing together as this united front against the United States.

We have China and we have Russia, which are nuclear powers. And then, of course, we've talked a lot about the nuclear ambitions of Kim Jong- un.

John, it's really a story where symbolism is going to be the big dominating theme. Not so much any kind of agreements or announcements, but the fact that they are all together. It's going to send a strong message, or at least China does, to the rest of the world that it is a force.

BERMAN: Marc Stewart in Beijing. That parade has yet to begin. I said it began. I saw some of the setup of the rehearsals. It is going to be something when it does, in fact, start. Marc Stewart, thank you very much for that.

A murder investigation underway at the site of Burning Man as tens of thousands leaving the desert.

And the desperate search for survivors. The death toll climbing after that huge earthquake in Afghanistan.

[08:20:00]

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BOLDUAN: New this morning, police in Nevada are investigating a murder that happened at the Burning Man festival. The Pershing County Sheriff's Office says a man was found dead in a pool of blood in a campsite called Black Rock City Saturday. The identity of the man still unknown.

The sheriff's office says it appears that the incident is -- the way they describe it -- is a singular crime and say investigators have already begun interviewing several people.

This massive festival, you will probably well know, sees upwards of 70,000 people. Burning Man has been held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert annually since 1990, and it attracts tens of thousands of not just festival goers, but artists, musicians, activists each year for a mix of wilderness camping, avant-garde performances, and also includes burning a large wooden effigy of a man, hence the name.

They're all now, many are still, started making their way out of the desert after the festival wrapped yesterday. Some still likely leaving today. Just one of the challenges now facing investigators as they have this apparent crime to investigate.

Joining us right now, CNN law enforcement contributor, retired supervisory special agent for the FBI, Steve Moore. Steve, I mean, if you're investigating this case, where do you start? STEVE MOORE, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRIBUTOR: It's going to be very hard because as you said, you've got this camp of 70 to 75,000 people, and two days after you respond to the crime and need to look at a crime scene and interview people, the city's gone. Not just the people, but they even pick up the trash afterwards. They leave that place clean as if nobody's been there.

So you've lost your crime scene, you've lost your witnesses, and you've lost any kind of structure that would help you identify locations.

BOLDUAN: I mean, and the thing about Burning Man every year is, I mean, it's kind of like reinforcing your point, is it is remote. It is temporary and makeshift. Weather is a huge factor and is always unpredictable.

I mean, this year the weather was a mess. I mean, it seems almost every year there's at least some element of messy weather. It's part of the mystique of it.

I mean, a dust storm blew through -- we're showing video of it -- at one point this week. But just inherently, the entire thing is set on dust in a desert.

I mean, what does that -- what does that mean for a quote-unquote crime scene to try to control, protect, and investigate?

[08:25:00]

MOORE: Listen, crime scenes are as delicate as like hour old sushi. I mean, they go bad quickly. You really have to take care of your crime scene.

I mean, it's hard to fingerprint dust. Things blow through. It destroys the evidence that might have been there.

So not only now do you not have witnesses or video or things like that, that people would be willing to give you, but now you don't have physical evidence. So everything comes down to the most basic investigative techniques. It's like going back in time. You're analog.

BOLDUAN: That's so interesting and a really important point. The sheriff's office has put out a request, they did just yesterday, asking for the public's help in identifying the man. Does that -- I mean, this is very early in the investigation. This man was just over the weekend on Saturday. But still, does that tell you something about where they are with their investigation at this point? They're still asking for the public's help in identifying him.

MOORE: Yes, that's tough. Because if you don't even know who's been killed, it's hard to figure out motive. And motive is one of the most crucial aspects of a murder investigation.

And, you know, you're talking about a very peaceful group of people, but they probably don't have a high comfort level with law enforcement. So they're probably not going to be predisposed to come out and work with the police, give identity and things like that.

BOLDUAN: So interesting. Steve, thank you so much for your help on this. This investigation very clearly just getting underway. Appreciate your time.

Still ahead for us, the sprint to election day begins right now. Virginia, New Jersey, both holding elections for governor this November. A big update on where those races stand and why they're watching -- why both parties are watching these so closely.

And any moment now, court resumes in the trial of a Florida mother-in- law accused of orchestrating a murder for hire plot. The defense set to begin their questioning today.

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