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Twenty Killed in Kenyan Mall Ambush; E. coli found in Water Supply; Ten People Shot in Chicago Overnight; Obama Pushes Congress on Budget; GOP Plan Links Obamacare to Shutdown; House Again Says No To Obamacare; GOP Launches Budget Battle; 20 Killed In Mall Ambush; Markets Pause After Record High; Federal Reserve To Keep Stimulus Flowing; Janet Yellen Leading Pack At Fed; Apple Debuts New iPhones; Massive Sales For "Grand Theft Auto"

Aired September 21, 2013 - 11:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And this is what we're watching right now -- a very terrifying situation unfolding at a shopping mall in Kenya. A gunmen stormed the mall and opened fire. Nearly two dozen people are killed and now the attackers are holding hostages. We'll have details on that straight ahead.

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're just nine days away from a possible government shutdown and we'll tell you what congressional leaders are saying about it.

WHITFIELD: And in Colorado, a natural disaster turns into an environmental nightmare. Flood victims now face gas leaks, oil spills and tap water contaminated with E. coli.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

WHITFIELD: A terrifying attack and hostage crisis unfolding right now at an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya. Gunmen stormed the mall and opened fire. At least 20 people are killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(GUNFIRE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Fifty more shoppers are wounded, according to the Red Cross. An aunt of CNN anchor Zain Verjee was inside the mall when the shots were fired and she said that she heard random shots just about everywhere.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

ZULOBIA KASSAM, SHOOTING WITNESS: We had gone for coffee at Westgate Mall. After finishing our coffee we went up to the Nakumets (ph) supermarket to do some shopping. We had just barely entered and the lights went off. It was rather strange that the generator didn't come on for quite a while and we thought that's a bit weird. The next thing we know, we heard some shots and people rushing. So we rushed to the back of the supermarket and shield ourselves, trying to get anything that would save us from the random shooting, because we heard random shots all over the place and it was quite terrifying.

In fact, we even heard shots 30 feet from us and at one stage I saw them come near us. And it was just so worrying and you know, people praying and crying and it was rather traumatizing for everybody.

And at one stage, we heard that there are terrorists, that they were holding hostages and that they were all over the mall. You know, taking people and shooting coffee -- people having coffee and lunch at restaurants. And this was just a random shooting and lots of people were hurt.

And we were stuck in the same place for over two hours and this was on the ground floor of the supermarket. And finally, after two hours, a security guy came and told us that it was safe for us to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A Kenyan government source says the attackers appear to be of Somali origin.

CNN's Zain Verjee joining me now by phone. Zain you're a Kenyan -- that is home for you where your family lives. We just heard from your aunt who happened to be at that mall when all of this unfolded. And I also understand why you're checking up on how your family is doing, you're also checking with police sources about the investigation ongoing. What can you tell us?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR (via telephone): Yes, a senior Kenyan government source and western diplomat did say the gunmen appeared to be of Somali origin. They wouldn't get more specific than that. But sources also said there were ten gunmen in total and they were holding hostages. They gave no more details on that.

Many people, they say, have been rescued. I spoke to the head of the Red Cross that said at least 20 people have been killed and 50 wounded and they've all been taken to the major hospitals in and around the city of Nairobi.

It's unclear who exactly is behind it. One government source I got off with on the phone just a short while ago said that the shooting is still going on and it's just really terrifying Fred, because it's really home. This is a mall that is five minutes away from where I live.

My father was on his way to the bank in the mall. So many people are there on Saturday morning -- friends, family. It's a place where U.N. staff, diplomats, all frequent. It's an upscale area.

And my dad decided last minute to sort of go -- to another bank because there were so many people. And when he went home, he could hear the gunshots. So it really is something that's hit close to home, traumatizing for so many Kenyans who lost their lives and a situation that is still unfolding.

But this is a mall like (inaudible) in Atlanta.

WHITFIELD: And so Zain tell me a little bit more about this mall, because we're talking about a shopping mall that's only about six years old, yet not only are, of course, locals like your family members as you just described would frequent it, but also a place where even diplomats as you say would also frequent and a lot of tourists, as well?

VERJEE: Yes, absolutely. You know there's a new cinema there. There are about 80 shops, a lot of entertainment. Some of the trendiest restaurants and cafes in Nairobi are at Westgate Mall, one called Art Cafe in particular, that so many people go to.

One of the biggest grocery chains in all of Kenya is there. It's called (inaudible), so many people would have gone grocery shopping and get things for the house on a Saturday morning. The banks are there, as well, which is why dad was going there. Mobile phone shops, there's loads of stuff for kids to do. There's a food court. There are games kid can play outside.

This is also in a residential area. And so it's around a few other malls, too, but it's mostly homes around this place. Westgate is easily accessible from so many roads. There have been security checks, but obviously, today wasn't a day when they came through.

WHITFIELD: Ok Zain Verjee thanks so much. Check back with us again. If you're just now joining us, this shooting taking place at a popular shopping mall an upscale shopping mall there in Nairobi, Kenya.

You're looking at some of the still images there of people who have been wounded. We understand at least 20 killed and many others wounded and there may still be a hostage situation ongoing there at that Westgate Mall in Nairobi. Thanks so much, Zain.

And now to a growing health concerns in this country, all as a result of Colorado's flooding. More than 22,000 gallons of oil have spilled at four different sites. Several of the spills are leaking into lakes, rivers and streams, adding to the problem. More than two dozen fuel tanks have been overturned.

Another big concern: E. coli has been found in the tap water in the hard-hit town of Lyons.

Dan Simon is live for us now in Boulder, Colorado. So, Dan, there's a whole lot going on here, all while many people are still trying to make it to see the damage from their homes. What are the priorities right now?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's first talk about the E. coli situation. This is in the town of Lyons; this is about 17 miles from where we are in Boulder. And you talk about a situation that is just so uncomfortable for these residents. As if they don't already have enough to deal with. The tap water has been completely shut off for these people after it was discovered that there is in fact E. coli in the water.

So how did this happen? Well, as we've seen with these floodwaters, it took out a lot of the infrastructure. It took out bridges and roads and in some cases, it took out septic tanks and it took out sewer lines. And so, that toxic sludge sort of got into the water system and they did these tests and found the E. coli.

So if people are going to stay in their homes -- and they're advising people to leave -- but if they're going to stay, they're going to have to provide all of their own water for not only bathing, but of course, drinking water as well -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then as it pertains to the damage of properties and some folks just getting a chance to assess the damage. Most people in that area do not have flood insurance, right?

SIMON: Well, if people live outside of these flood-prone areas, chances are they do not have flood insurance, because why would you? If you live in an area that's supposed to say flood, say, every 500 years, would it make economic sense to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year for insurance you probably wouldn't need?

And so, we're finding cases of that. I want you to listen now to one couple who found themselves in that very situation. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA BEACOM, FLOOD VICTIM: When we asked about it, just -- just to make sure we covered our bases when we -- we moved in, they almost laughed. You know, like -- a ton of money. You don't need that.

DEAN BEACOM, FLOOD VICTIM: We would have had it if we knew it would happen or if we even had an inkling that it might happened. I mean really I don't even think we had that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON: Well that couple and others, of course, have homeowners insurance, but that doesn't cover damage from floods. They can request assistance from FEMA and get some cash aide, but it doesn't go very far. It's really limited in scope and it's not even been -- going to begin to address all of the repairs that need to be made.

So it's really, really a tough situation. You've got the E. coli thing going on in Lyons and then now people don't have flood insurance. And so, it's just a mess. And of course, people still trying to do all of the cleanup, as well -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Yes a tough situation indeed made even worse now. Thanks so much, Dan Simon. Keep us posted.

So after a downturn in violent deaths this year in Chicago, the city has experienced a second night now with at least ten people shot. Thursday, 13 people were hit, including 3-year-old Dionte Howard from an attack at a Southside Park. No one was killed, but last night, more gunfire and now there are deaths to report.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick is joining us right now on the phone with more on this. So Deb what happened last night.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well Fred we can tell you that ten people were shot last night. Five of them were killed. All of this happened in about a five-hour period between 11:00 at night and 4:00 this morning.

A police spokesman says it appears that the shootings were separate and that means they were sort of individual shootings, unlike the one the other night which happened all together where somebody opened fire with an assault rifle. These were in various parts of town. It does not appear that they were related or any sort of retaliation to that initial shooting.

That initial shooting, 13 people were injured, including the three- year-old boy that you mentioned. It was interesting, because when we were there speaking to a family pastor in Chicago, he said to us, "Look, go around the corner. Go two blocks away. There's a 16-year- old. He's dead. The body is still there."

This is something that they're dealing with every single day where people just being shot. Miraculously, on Thursday, no one was killed, even though 13 people were hit. Last night, as you mentioned, five people were indeed shot and killed.

So it's a problem that Chicago is wrestling with and they are -- they're doing the best they can -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And you say, you know, it's something the city is wrestling with. But what can the city do when we say it's doing the best that it can?

FEYERICK: Well, the city is trying to implement a lot of sort of creative strategies when it comes to policing, when it comes to giving young people, especially young black men options, opportunities. The problem is the culture of gang violence that exists in Chicago. You know, they're trying to do after-school programs. They're trying to do more creative policing in terms of having beat cops on the street, so that the cops know who is supposed to be in which neighborhood and when they're supposed to be there. They've done things with drug operations, as well as new database system.

So it is helping chip away at some of the -- the fatalities. But again, there's still a high level of shooting, and there's also the problem of illegal guns that are falling in Chicago. Chicago has among the toughest gun laws in the nation. And yet, they are considered the murder capital also of the United States.

WHITFIELD: Deb Feyerick, thanks so much.

FEYERICK: Of course.

WHITFIELD: Coming up, a second night of multiple shootings in Chicago, as we just reported. You're going to hear from the mother of one of those victims hit in the face, a three-year-old boy.

And a government shutdown is just around the corner and if you think nothing happens until the deadline hits, one economist wants you to think again. We get his take next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Obama pushed Congress to pass a budget as the U.S. inches closer to a government shutdown.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Constitutional duty Congress has is passing a budget. But if it doesn't pass one before September 30th, a week from Monday, the government will shut down, and so will many services the American people expect. Military personnel, including those deployed overseas, won't get their paychecks on time. Federal loans for rural communities, small business owners, and new home buyers will be frozen. Critical research and the lifesaving discoveries and renewable energy will be halted. All of this can be prevented if Congress just passes a budget.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Erin McPike joins me now from Washington. So Erin, House Republicans did pass a plan yesterday, but does it stand any chance in the senate?

MCPIKE: No, Fred. And that is because House Republicans made defunding Obamacare a condition of funding the government. But that didn't stop House speaker John Boehner from sort of issuing a threat to the senate. Take a listen to what he said yesterday at a rally for House Republicans after they held that vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Our message to the United States Senate is real simple. The American people don't want the government shut down. And they don't want Obamacare. The House has listened to the American people. Now it's time for the United States Senate to listen to them, as well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: Now, as you know, the Senate is controlled by Democrats, and they say there's no way that the Senate would pass a bill that the House passed. They want to take this Obamacare defunding out of the bill.

Well, House -- the House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, sat down yesterday with CNN's Candy Crowley. Take a listen to what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: They want to shut down government. The effect of putting the Obama -- the Affordable Care Act on the bill is to shut down government. They know that. They know it has no prospect of prevailing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: Now, you can watch that full interview tomorrow at 9:00 on "STATE OF THE UNION". But Fred, we're watching next week as this bill goes into the Senate. The Senate will take up this debate. We expect that next weekend the House will debate on it again and vote again. And that's when the situation becomes more grave because the deadline, as you know, is October 1st.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Erin McPike.

Let's talk more about this. In fact, there is a whole lot of concern about what would happen if the government were to shut down, including the impact on the job market.

Here to break that down is Rajeev Dhawan, economic forecaster at Georgia State University. Good to see you, Professor.

RAJEEV DHAWAN, GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Good to be here.

WHITFIELD: So already as a result in part of the House vote yesterday, we're seeing the markets did take a bit of a dip. How concerned are you that this is the beginning of more to come or is there ripple effects from here?

DHAWAN: There will be. I mean, already we are seeing jobs slow down in the corporate sector where the hiring is lower. And as you know, going forward in the next few months, the corporate boards will be sitting down to figure out what are they going to do with their spending and investment that create jobs down the road. If they feel all this politics and everything that's going on, the morale will be lower and they may hold back on the projects, and that becomes a self- fulfilling problem, because once they hold back, the job growth declines.

WHITFIELD: What kind of industries are we talking about?

DHAWAN: It starts with the corporate side -- the bread-and-butter of the middle class of the jobs, and then it goes into the other areas when it goes down. It's called the multi-platter effect. And I'm already seeing in the jobs numbers in the last three months that the corporate sector job growth was half the rate it was six months ago.

WHITFIELD: And why is that?

DHAWAN: Because once you -- once there is uncertainty, right, and you don't know what's going to happen -- will we have a shutdown? Actually, the biggest thing is, will we have a resolution of the debt ceiling properly? Because we can't operate in this vacuum with some jump-offs and other things. So that kind of clarity is need for the businesses to make their plans, which are risky. And they don't want this kind of stuff --

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: So there are two things here. We're not just talking about the pending government shutdown but then the debt ceiling --

DHAWAN: -- which is painful.

WHITFIELD: -- so if, indeed, the House and Senate were to come up with a plan and government is not impacted, it will continue to work, it's the debt ceiling that's right around the corner that's still a concern.

DHAWAN: Right. We get out of the one problem and get right into another one.

WHITFIELD: Are you optimistic?

DHAWAN: Well, everybody seems to be saying to me, you know, this is a kabuki theater. We always get down to the brink. We always get things done.

But you know, I remember from my high school days that's exactly when the bad things happen. When you're too complacent, that's when they think these things come around the corner and bite you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, let's hope for the sake of the economy --

DHAWAN: Me, too.

WHITFIELD: -- yes, everything at stake, that things will straighten up.

DHAWAN: It's all about the morale.

WHITFIELD: Yes, ok. Thanks so much, Rajeev Dhawan. Good to see you.

DHAWAN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate it.

A terrifying attack and hostage crisis unfolding right now at a mall, a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya; at least 20 people killed. We'll have the latest.

And Chicago's violence is experiencing a deadly upswing. Hear from the mother of a boy who was shot. He was just three years old.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Chicago experiences a second night of multiple gunshot victims, five people are dead. A total of ten people shot overall after a string of shootings that began Friday night. This, after 13 people were hit Thursday. No one was killed in that situation, but a three-year-old boy was among those shot. Here's Ravi Baichwal from our Chicago affiliate, WLS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAVI BAICHWAL, CNN AFFILIATE, WLS CHICAGO: With her son undergoing a second operation to repair bullet wounds to his face, across the street from Cornell Square Park, a 24-year-old mother describes what happened after someone opened fire on a crowd watching basketball.

SHAMARAH LEGGETT, VICTIM'S MOTHER: He the only -- the only person running around the park with a hole in his face.

BAICHWAL: The gruesome image of three-year-old Dionte Howard, the worst of the wounds suffered by 13 victims. The mayor returned quickly from a political trip to Washington.

MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL (D), CHICAGO: We will not allow children in the city of Chicago to have their youthfulness, their optimism, their hope taken from them. That's what gun violence does.

BAICHWAL: Evidence suggests a military-type assault weapon was used. Perhaps to settle a gang score with a disturbing new level of violence. Apparently, the community has provided information to the police on who might be responsible for this act in a neighborhood beset by gang tension.

SUPT. GARRY MCCARTHY, CHICAGO POLICE: This country should have a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, like the ones used in these events. It's common sense.

BAICHWAL: It is violence a young mother and others simply cannot comprehend.

LEGGETT: Stop the violence. No guns. This is only leading to more bodies, more bodies, more bodies, on top of bodies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And the clock is ticking to avoid a federal government shutdown. But House Republicans say it's now up to the Senate to stop the government from running out of money. We'll talk to a congressman who voted for the budget, but only if lawmakers kill the president's health care plan.

And we're updating that horrific mall shooting in Kenya. Gunmen are still at large, and at least 20 people have been killed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Bottom of the hour now. Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Here are five things crossing the CNN news desk right now.

Number one, a deadly ambush and hostage crisis at an upscale mall in Kenya; gunmen stormed the mall firing shots everywhere. At least 20 people were killed, 50 others wounded. A Kenyan government source says the attackers appear to be of Somali origin. Police are frantically trying to rescue hostages now.

And number two, the strongest storm on the planet so far this year is living up to expectations. It's a super typhoon packing winds as strong as 162-miles-per-hour. It's moving between Taiwan and the Philippines, and it's headed for Hong Kong. Usagi is expected to make landfall there tomorrow. China has already issued a disaster relief alert.

And number three, a new health concern in Colorado's flood zone. E. Coli has been found in tap water in the hardest-hit town of Lyons. The floods took out sewer lines and septic systems, which caused the contamination. Officials say the problem has to be fixed before evacuated residents can come back to their homes.

And number three, a California judge rules that Katherine Jackson can seek damages from concert promoter AEG Live, because evidence proved that Michael Jackson provided everything for his elderly mother. This comes as closing arguments in the wrongful death trial are set to begin Tuesday. Jackson's family blames AEG Live for negligently hiring Dr. Conrad Murray.

And number five, gold is hot in the iPhone market. When Apple's new gold iPhone 5s went on sale yesterday, it sold out before many people who had stood in line for hours could actually buy one. Some shoppers even left Apple's flagship store in Palo Alto, California, after being told there were no more gold models for sale.

Tea Party-backed Republicans appear ready to shut down the government if they don't get their way on defunding the president's health care law. They set up a standoff with the Democratically-controlled Senate after passing a budget plan that only keeps the government open if Congress kills the funding for Obamacare.

Florida Congressman Trey Radel voted for the GOP deal. So, Congressman, what's more important to you, keeping the government running or getting rid of this health care law?

REP. TREY RADEL (R), FLORIDA: Well, let's put a few things into context first. You use the word Tea Party Republicans. The fact is that not only did almost every Republican support this bill, but so did Democrats. It's good policy. What we voted for is to keep this government open. That's the big that we have sent to the Senate. Let's keep the government open --

WHITFIELD: On the condition -- you said keep the government open on the condition --

RADEL: Sure. So here's what happens. Look, so I'm very proud to say I actually started my career as a journalist in the newsroom that you're in right now, years ago as an intern in Atlanta. What we're going to see over the next few days is people freaking out, clocks put up on the 24-hour news cycle, my gosh, the government will shut down. Let's take a step back. I'm a Republican more than happy to work with Democrats, more than happy to compromise and negotiate. That's how this democracy works.

WHITFIELD: What is going to be the area of compromise if the Senate goes through this, make the amendments, they say we want to keep the government open as well, but not on the condition that health care law is defunded. How will you then compromise? RADEL: Sure. Well, I think there will be a few things brought into this. We may send a C.R., continuing resolution, a budget back to them. Also, Fredricka, I think something that may be introduced into this discussion is the debt ceiling. Now, the president continues to hammer away that he's not negotiating on the debt ceiling.

Let's take a look at extreme stances on this. Basically what he's saying is write me a blank check and don't ask me questions. I worked as a journalist for years and now a member of congress. I'm going to ask questions, and I will not write blank checks.

So what we're going to do is negotiate. That may be a part of this. And by the way, this president has already negotiated over a debt ceiling, so did President Reagan, so did President Bush I and so did President Bill Clinton.

WHITFIELD: What are you going to be happy with if the president says he's willing to negotiate, to what extent? What are you looking for?

RADEL: I think that, again, another possibility in all of this is the possible delay of Obamacare because where we're at right now --

WHITFIELD: The president says that's off the table. What else?

RADEL: Well, that's funny, because the president already delayed Obamacare for big corporations in this country but not you.

WHITFIELD: But if the president says I'm not going to delay that one more year, what else? What is the other area in which you believe both sides could negotiate?

RADEL: We'll have to see. But right now, I think that these are the components that we're dealing with --

WHITFIELD: You have nine days to go in which to come up with a plan, Republicans, Democrats, everyone. I mean, you have to have some kind of contingency plan in -- in some sort of realm of thinking.

RADEL: Sure. Well, I've laid it all out, and this is the negotiating process. It's democracy, and the ball is in Harry Reid's court right now. I have funded the government. I have prepared to keep government open, to keep our soldiers paid, to provide Medicare, Social Security, et cetera. Right now, the ball is in --

WHITFIELD: It's not a done deal yet, though. It's not a done -- that's the House's version of it. Everyone knows the Senate wouldn't go for defunding health care. We know the president wouldn't. So to present a realistic scenario -- a realistic scenario is what, I think, the American want people to happen here.

RADEL: Fredricka, though, let's look at Senator Pryor in Arkansas, Landrieu in Louisiana, Democrat senators in red states. We have sent this bill there and I think it's still possible that there may be Democrats who do vote for this. Look, maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but this is how things are done. Democracy might not be pretty, but it's how we get things done. By the way, Republicans, we really only control one-half of one-third of this big picture, which would be the House, but you have the democratically controlled Senate and the president in the White House. I sure would like to see some leadership and the president to be the one to the table, to come to us, form a relationship with us, and start to compromise and work together. That'd be awfully nice.

WHITFIELD: Congressman Radel, we'll have to keep it there. Thanks so much, all the best. Thank you.

RADEL: Thank you, Fredricka. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: Folks on counting on all of you in nine days to come up with something so that so many Americans won't be hurt ultimately.

All right, coming up in our 12:00 noon hour, he said it's not a good idea to shut down the government, a bad idea to the president's health care, to the budget law that keeps the federal government open. So why did Peter King do the exact opposite when it was time to vote? We'll ask him. Congressman Peter King joining us just one hour from now.

All right, the threat of a government shutdown helped push markets down almost 200 points Friday. In a minute, I'll tell you why investors had a pretty good week anyway.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In Nairobi, Kenya, the search continues for gunmen who opened fire at a popular upscale shopping mall just about seven hours ago at the Westgate Mall. You're looking at images right now of police who stormed the building after learning that there were gunmen in there who had opened fire. At least 20 people were killed, and we understand as many as 50 wounded. It's a popular mall to people there in the local area, as well as to tourists.

Sara Head who is from Washington, D.C., is actually joining us on the phone right now. Sarah, I understand that you were in Nairobi on business, and you were at this mall when this shooting took place?

SARA HEAD, AMERICAN WHO WITNESSED SHOOTING (via telephone): Yes. Yes, I had just left a meeting a few blocks up the road, and I entered the parking garage. We had just parked and gotten out of the car and we heard three shots fired, and I thought actually it was a car accident. Someone had been rear-ended. And then I saw people running, and my colleague, who has worked elsewhere, recognized the sounds of gunshots.

And she yelled at me. And we and other people in the parking garage began crawling underneath cars and behind cars, and we heard more shots. So we began running and the driver, who is Kenyan, advised us also to run. So we followed several other people under a stairwell. I thought we had gone down into the parking garage, so I thought when I entered the stairwell I would go up one level and I would be able to exit. And that was not the case. I got in the stairwell, and I was there for the next hour and a half or so. There were two people in the stairwell with me who were superficially wounded from gunshots. When we initially entered the stairwell, we kept going up and we heard shots above us. We ended up staying there for about an hour and a half with these two -- there were several of us in there, but there were two people who were bleeding.

WHITFIELD: My goodness, I know you had to be terrified not knowing, you know, what was going on, you know, that one floor above you. For how long you said you were in that stairway about an hour, and throughout that entire time, for how long were you hearing the gunshots?

HEAD: You know, we heard them quite a lot initially when we first entered, and people were quite panicked. And then we didn't hear them again for a while. I don't know, maybe 15 minutes more. And then, at that point again, they sounded like they were coming from above us. So we didn't want to, you know, go up or down. And there were several security guards, I'm assuming, from the mall, who were in there with us, and the lights were out. But everyone had cell phones. So we were getting different communications from the outside that way, and people were calling their family and whatnot.

WHITFIELD: What kind of information were you getting on your cell phone?

HEAD: You know, I don't have a smartphone plan with me, so I was able to contact my husband, and I was able to contact our -- our contact at the embassy. But I wasn't getting any information from my phone. The people behind me were saying that they heard that there were hostages, and the people were also saying they thought there were grenades. This is from -- I don't know who these other individuals in the stairwell were contacting. But those were the rumors that were circulating while I was there.

WHITFIELD: And at what point did you feel like it was, you know, safe to leave that stairwell? And how did you make that decision to leave? Did you end up going on that, you know, main outdoor level or did you go further down into the garage? Once you determined it was safe to move.

HEAD: I don't actually know how that happened, because I was sort of in the -- I was not near one of the doors. I was near one of the levels in between an exit from the stairwell and we had tried to exit earlier out the supermarket. And I don't know what happened, but the people did not -- so we were no longer near the parking garage level. We were near a supermarket level.

And so, at about -- after about an hour and a half, the door to supermarket opens up again, and the lights came on in the stairwell, and people went out. And I was very, very hesitant, because no one -- there was no information to tell me that it was safe to exit. It was just the people in front of me were exiting.

And there was blood throughout the supermarket, as we were exiting on the floor and out through the -- in fact, we walked through some hardware aisles and passed, like, cereal and stuff, and walked into their storage unit or stockroom, and we came out on their loading docks, and exited that way.

And we saw policemen with guns as we were exit -- I assume they were policemen. They were just wearing plainclothes. It was never really clear I should have exited. It was just that I was sort of a sheep following everyone else in front of me. And then I was very eager, of course, to get outside and far away from the situation as possible.

WHITFIELD: And even when you saw the policemen -- and you were unclear about why this gunfire was happening, who was firing, you know, the shots -- how reluctant were you really to trust anybody that you saw in sight?

HEAD: I was. I was very frightened. In fact, I felt a little bit safer stuck in the stairwell. But as soon as I was able to get out, I just -- I actually took off running and just ran -- and there was quite a crowd of people I had to pass through once I got beyond the loading dock, but I just --

WHITFIELD: And when were people -- you said there was quite a crowd of people. What was everyone doing?

HEAD: I don't know if they themselves had escaped the mall or if they had just gathered because -- I mean, Nairobi traffic is quite hectic, quite a mess, and it is possible people could have just stopped and gotten out of the cars. There were a good bit of cameramen of taking pictures of people crying as they exited, and policemen just sort of in the area.

But it wasn't -- I don't know if it was community members or if they were other customers or if they were people who had escaped themselves or if they were -- but there were just crowds of people along the streets sort of looking at the mall. And I am just running past them with my colleague and with the driver who was with us, you know, trying to get as far away from the situation as possible.

WHITFIELD: Well, an incredible situation indeed. Sara Head, thanks so much for joining us to give us -- giving us an idea of all you experienced there as a visitor from Washington, D.C., there in Nairobi, Kenya, on business, only to find yourself in the middle of this gun fight taking place at the Westgate Mall in an upscale part of Nairobi, crowded with shoppers and 20 people in the end, as far as we know, have been killed.

Sara, thanks so much for your time. Of course, we'll update you at home on the situation in Nairobi, Kenya, when we come right back.

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WHITFIELD: The fight over the debt ceiling and the threat of a government shutdown helped push markets lower Friday, almost 200 points lower. But as Alison Kosik explains it was still ending up to be a pretty good week for investors. ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: It was a record setting week on Wall Street, Fredricka. The Dow and the S&P 500 jumped to all-time highs on Wednesday, immediately following the latest decision from the Federal Reserve. And policy makers did nothing. Analysts expected the fed to announce it would soon scale back the massive stimulus program, but that didn't happen.

Instead, policy makers want to see more improvement in the economy before they take away the safety net. That caused a September surge to continue. The major averages are all up 4.5 percent to 5 percent this month. A woman has emerged as the frontrunner for the next Federal Reserve chief.

Larry Summers has taken his name out of the running, leaving Janet Yellen, the top pick for economists. She's currently Ben Bernanke's number two person at the fed. If nominated by President Obama, Yellen would be the first female to lead the Federal Reserve.

Apple's new 5s and 5c iPhones hit the store shelves this past week marking the first time Apple's debuting two phones at once. They were long lines and some stores sold out. It comes as the company is dealing with a failing stock price and increasing competition.

Another big debut, "Grand Theft Auto V" smashing records, bringing in $800 million on Tuesday, its first day. Stores opened at midnight to meet demand. It is called one of the biggest openings not just in the videogame world but in the entertainment industry.

Guns they be shattering records in video games, but coming up 2:00 p.m. Eastern, on a brand new "YOUR MONEY," you'll hear from Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz who wants an end to armed and caffeinated in his stores -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Alison Kosik.

All right, our legal guys are tackling the most intriguing cases next hour. Avery Friedman and Richard Herman joining me now for a quick look at what's ahead, I feel like it has been forever.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Miss you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: I missed you guys, too.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: That's right, for sure.

WHITFIELD: So a judge says something many of us do every day, hitting the like button on Facebook is covered by constitutional protection of speech, free speech. Your first reaction, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: Well, you know what, the boss finds out that you posted a like on someone the boss doesn't like and fires you for it. Freedom of speech, federal court threw the case out, and a federal court of appeals this week came up with a legal first. We have the answers for you coming up.

WHITFIELD: And Richard? HERMAN: Fred, is it just like substantive speech? Is it like posting a placards on the front lawn, saying the same thing? Is it the same thing? Court says yes. We'll discuss it later.

WHITFIELD: We will look at that ahead and a judge's reluctant decision to throw out a case against five New Orleans police officers convicted in the shooting of unarmed people on the bridge in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. That's all ahead in the next hour of the NEWSROOM.

"PARTS UNKNOWN" with Anthony Bourdain is charging into its second season. Tomorrow night, 9:00 p.m. Anthony takes us to Spain where he eats, explores and learns about three things Spaniards do very well. I had a chance to talk to him about how the show gives new insights into places around the world.

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ANTHONY BOURDAIN, HOST, CNN'S "PARTS UNKNONW": Well, I think we're always looking to do better than the week previously, to tell what's essentially a pretty simple story in a different visual way, outdo ourselves creatively, to mess with the time line, to just find a way to make each show look like its own individual film with its own sound, its own smell, its own feel.

And we're always looking for best of individual perspective. Last year, we went to Los Angeles. That's a place filled many times by many people. How do you show Los Angeles the Los Angeles people aren't familiar with, we did that pretending there's no one in Los Angeles but Korean-Americans and looked at the city entirely from their perspective.

So to the extent we can look through either a narrow lens or maybe a very wide one, we often see things we may not have seen before.

WHITFIELD: What's the next country you want stamped in your passport and want to take us along with you?

BOURDAIN: I'd like to see Iran very much. I've heard extraordinary things. I heard nice people, government, one can have varying opinions on their policies for sure, dodgy times. But I hear the food is awesome and I would like to -- it is a place I would like to learn about, as simple as I can put it. It is a place I know very little about. It is a place about which many things have been said. I would like to see it for myself.

WHITFIELD: Many of us would like to go along with you by way of "PARTS UNKNOWN." When that happens, we will be along for the ride as well. Anthony Bourdain, good to see you. Congrats on yet another season.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Tune in Sunday night, 9:00 p.m., when "ANTHONY BOURDAIN, PARTS UNKNOWN," heads to Spain.

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