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Supermarket In Kenya Attacked By al-Shabaab; Iran's New President Calls For U.S. And Iran To Work Together; Pennsylvania Police Chief Mark Kessler Suspended; "Hiccup Girl" Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

Aired September 21, 2013 - 18:00   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Martin Savidge, in for Don Lemon.

We have breaking news right now where Americans are involved. They have been wounded in an apparent terrorist attack in a shopping mall overseas.

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SAVIDGE: This is Nairobi, Kenya today. A group of men stormed the mall and started shooting. According to the Kenya president's office, at least 39 people have been killed and an official report at nearly 300 others have been treated at area hospitals. Those are new numbers. Few Americans were inside the mall when the attack happened. And some of them have also been hurt.

We are told at least two of the attackers are now dead. The rest are still holed up inside that mall. Shots rang out and grenades exploded. Witnesses tell us they hid in stairwells and other cars in the parking lot until police arrived.

We do have some indication now as to who is behind this attack. An extremist group tied to al-Qaeda posted a claim of responsibility on their twitter account. A group called al-Shabaab has been issuing threats and violence for years.

Joining me on the phone in Nairobi is CNN's Lilian Leposo and she a producer with our international network in Kenya.

And Lilian, I know it is just after 1:00 a.m. there right now and more than 12 hours since this all began with the shooting in the mall. What's happening right now and where the things stand? Are the attackers still inside?

LILIAN LEPOSO, CNN PRODUCER (via phone): At the moment, we have been out the mall. For the past five hours they have been marked. No one has gone into the mall. No one has come outside the mall. They are still like I'm going to (INAUDIBLE) standby. There's still a lot of security forces surrounding this area. But there still not shot about five hours now.

SAVIDGE: And what do we know about the hostages? Has there been any word about their condition?

LEPOSO: There are people who are trapped inside the mall. The channels of communication is still (INAUDIBLE) About five hours ago, he say that they have managed to evacuate a number of people. And they believe it's a significant number of people inside the mall. But it's still believed that there are other people who have been trapped inside the mall. And they couldn't indicate whether they are alive or they are injured or how their take right now.

SAVIDGE: And Lilian, what do we know about, you know, any possible warning in advance that this was going to happen? Had there been any indication?

LEPOSO: There hadn't been a recent indication. But about two years ago, there was a security alert that was issued to the international community of people who are walking on embassy, to people who are walking in the U.S. agencies. And there were various places they were told to avoid. And it's areas that are frequented by the international community and this mall is one that had a red flag.

SAVIDGE: So, people at least had at least been warned. Tell us about this mall. What is the security like there?

LEPOSO: When they were warned about two years ago, al-Shabaab have said that what there was intelligence that al-Shabaab areas where the international community is frequents a lot. There was heightened security like when in the entrances, but, of course, over time the security hasn't been as high as it was maybe three years ago. The government would say that a terrorist attack of this level, it is not something that maybe they could have anticipated, but they would say probably that did respond speedily and they did respond hard.

CNN's Lilian Leposo joining us there from Nairobi, outside the mall.

Thank you very much for that. We will stay in touch.

Witnesses say that that mall was very crowded. Of course, it would be. It was busy. It was a Saturday when the gunman attacked. Here are how some of those people remember what happened.

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ZULOBIA KASSAM, WITNESS: The next thing we know, we heard shots and people rushing. It sounded like ak-47s.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was on the floor. I was confused. I just talked to someone and they told me they are sniping. That's why we have to keep our heads down.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We heard three shots fired and people running.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We heard this heavy (INAUDIBLE) wife tells me, please, let's get out. It looks like a terrorist attack. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your name? What's your name? What's your name?

SARA HEAD, AMERICAN WHO WITNESSED SHOOTING: There was blood on the floor. Not a substantial amount, but drops that looked like someone who had been wounded.

KASSAM: It was just worrying and, you know, people praying and crying. It was traumatizing for everybody.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN HOST: The west gate is easily accessible from so many words. There have been security checks. Obviously, today wasn't a day they came through.

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SAVIDGE: Sights and sounds of terror in Nairobi, Kenya today.

As we reported earlier, an extremist group claimed responsibility for attacking this mall, killing 39 people. And now we are told that nearly 300 people have needed treatment in Nairobi. That terror group is well-known to the intelligence communities being affiliated with al-Qaeda organization in east Africa.

Rick Francona is with me. He is here to talk more about this group.

And Rick, he is a, I should remind people in CNN, military analyst and retired U.S. military intelligence officer.

And Rick, this group, al-Shabaab, what is the connection to al-Qaeda?

LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICK FRANCONA (RETIRED), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, they self-affiliated with al-Qaeda when they formed back in the mid-2000s and then al-Qaeda decided to recognize them. So, they have that bond there. But it ebbs and flows. They agree with al-Qaeda on some things, they don't on others. And there has been a lot of fighting in the group. This is a very disorganize group and that makes them very dangerous. They don't normally go for the global jihad. And going after this attack in Kenya, they are really going after their own interest in Somalia because Kenya is on the fore front of going after al-Shabaab. They are helping the Somali government. They are taking matters in their owned hands, that Kenyan army and the Kenyan air force is mounting attacks against al-Shabaab. So, al- Shabaab is striking back and they went after a soft targeted Nairobi.

SAVIDGE: And that's the question. If they have a beef with the military and the leadership of Kenya, why are they going after a shopping mall?

FRANCONA: Because they can't. They don't have the where with all the take on the Kenyan military. Kenyan military had been very effective against al-Shabaab, mostly army and the air force. So, al-Shabaab is going to go after targets they know they can strike. And they picked a great one here for.

If you are looking at how are you going to make a terrorism attack work, this is it? You go after a soft target, a mall in an upscale area of Nairobi where you know there are foreigners, there are embassies, there are rich, wealthy Kenyans, and that's the kind of target you go after because it gives you the notoriety that you want. That's why we are giving it this kind of coverage.

SAVIDGE: And we should remember, of course, Kenya and (INAUDIBLE) and the United States have a very strong link. The U.S. embassy was targeted in 1998. Does al-Shabaab have a specific beef say, with the United States?

FRANCONA: No, not a specific beef. They know that we are supporting the Kenyans. The Kenyans have been supporting us. We have a relationship that goes back decades. And you know, the Kenyans have been very useful to us in Africa. And we think we are helpful to them providing, you know, material and intelligence. So, it's a two-way street. And the al-Shabaab wants to break apart that relationship. They would like the Kenyans to stop working with us. I don't think it is going to happen. Events like this tend to backfire on them.

SAVIDGE: And so, if we said that al-Shabaab doesn't have the reach say, to launch an attack here in the United States, what about inspiring somebody to say, a shopping mall, look what they did? Maybe we could do the same thing. Is that a concern?

FRANCONA: Absolutely. This is what terrorist groups do. They go after a target that they think they can hit. Malls, bus stations, train stations, anywhere where security allows you to get in. And how do you prevent that? Beef up the security and you hurt the business. There's that median you got to find where you provide enough security, yet you allow business and commerce to continue. And here, today, we saw where it broke down.

SAVIDGE: And Rick, is it likely and could you put that kind of necessary security into a mall to protect people?

FRANCONA: Well, you can secure anything, but at what cost? And I don't mean monetary cost. I mean you would basically shut things down. If you could put up the metal detectors, you know, the scanners and everything like that. Once you do that, you tend to scare people away. And it defeats the purpose of having a commercial establishment.

SAVIDGE: Yes.

Rick Francona, military expert for CNN, thanks very much for your insight.

To Syria now and today's deadline for the government to share details on the stockpile of chemical weapons. We have learned the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons as received the information. And a U.S. official tells CNN that the inventory is more complete than had been expected. The official said the U.S. is pleasantly surprised, even encouraged.

The U.S. and Russia cut a deal last week calling on Syria to hand over the information by today. The sense of urgency, of course, goes back to that August chemical weapons attack outside of Damascus that U.S. officials say killed about 1,400 people.

Three members of the U.S. army special ops forces were killed today in Afghanistan. Coalition officials say that men wearing an Afghan army uniform shot and killed them during a training exercise in eastern Afghanistan. It's unclear whether the government is actually part of the Afghan army or just wearing the uniform. Dozens of coalition groups were killed in similar attacks last year.

Here we go, again. Could government offices and national landmarks close their doors? It's a possibility if Congress doesn't reach a deal. We will explain.

Plus, incredible police dash cam video shows an officer running over a man. Now a Florida family is asking how that officer is even out free on the streets.

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SAVIDGE: The government is inching ever closer to a possible shutdown with just nine days left to reach a deal on a budget. House Republicans passed a plan yesterday that includes a big problem for Democrats. It would strip funding for the health care reform law that is known as Obamacare.

Erin McPike joins me now live from Washington.

And Erin, the House plan is probably dead in the water when it reaches the Senate. But, what do we expect to happen next week?

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, Martin, you nailed it. It is dead on arrival in the Senate and that is because Republicans have tied Obamacare funding to spending for the entire federal government.

Earlier today, we heard from Congressman Peter King, a Republican, and also David Scott, a Democrat and they sort of laid out what the problem is. Take a listen.

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REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: I know a solid majority of House Republicans do not want the house to shut down in any way and we will do whatever we can. Whatever has to be done, we will see. But I'm confident that the House will not shutdown. And if it does, then it's really black eye for all of us.

REP. DAVID SCOTT (D), GEORGIA: Here is a party that wrote in a bill to close down this government if you do not take the health care away from the American people. That is desperation. There's something at work here where there are people -- I left the capital today and I saw a bunch of signs that said shut her down, shut her down, shut her down, so I'm worried.

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MCPIKE: Now, Senate Republicans have indicated to us that they don't intend to force a filibuster and that means once debate is finished on this bill, Senate Democrats need just 51 votes to restore funding for Obamacare to the bill and then pass the full bill and send it back to the House. We expect the House will be in session next weekend and we'll be going through this all over again then -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Yes. I expect for the next nine days, every day. We will be on this.

Erin McPike, thanks very much.

You know, there hasn't been a government shutdown in more than 17 years. Hopefully, it won't happen this time. But if it happens, it could seriously weaken the U.S. economy. Many federal offices, museums, that's offices I should say, museums and parks would close. Officials in New York City, which is the number one tourist destination in the nation are keeping a pretty close eye on developments.

Here is CNN's Margaret Conley on that.

MARGARET CONLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Martin, from California to New York, millions of Americans could be affected if there's a shutdown. National parks across the country could be affected. The statue of liberty behinds me, that could be closed down. That is a major tourist destination in New York City which has a tourism business of about $55 billion.

In 1995 and 1996, those government shutdowns cost taxpayers over billion dollars. And we talked to the government, the department of interior, they said they are reviewing all the various budget scenarios so they can be prepared.

In terms of what will be closed, passport services, visa applications, those will all be shut down. Veteran benefits may be held up. And governmental employees that are waiting for paycheck, they might also have to be on hold. What will stay open, all of those critical services, critical services like air traffic control, national security and border protection.

Martin, we'll be able to count on those staying open.

SAVIDGE: Good thing. All right, Margaret, thanks very much.

Up next, replacing violence with compassion one brush stroke at a time. How murals in one inner city transform lives.

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SAVIDGE: Chicago is earning a reputation that it certainly doesn't want. Eleven people shot overnight, four of them killed. Thirteen people shot Thursday night, one of them a 3-year-old boy. But these aren't rare, isolated incidents. Chicago now has the highest number of homicides in the country. Police blame most of the violence on guns and the city's gangs.

And while Chicago is struggling with violence, another city is using artwork to transform bleak spaces and send messages of peace. Murals in Philadelphia are urging people to replace violence with compassion.

Don Lemon takes us to Philadelphia to see how the murals, not only tell a story, but teach a lesson.

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DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a north Philadelphia neighborhood, this mural is a reminder of Michael Whittington's dark past.

MICHAEL WHITTINGTON, MURAL ARTS PROGRAM: (INAUDIBLE) through the stuff, I did something that I really, really regret.

LEMON: In 2003, he provided the gun in a shooting of 19-year-old Kevin Johnson. The incident left Johnson paralyzed, while Whittington walked out of prison three years later.

WHITTINGTON: It's like you are back up against the wall. It's hard to do anything.

LEMON: Until he came across the mural arts program.

WHITTINGTON: If I never was introduced to the mural arts program, I don't know where my life would be right now.

LEMON: The organization focuses on community development by painting murals in the city's crime neighborhoods. The artists --

JANE GOLDEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MURAL ARTS PROGRAM: We hire everyone. We hire young people all the time. So, we said to Michael, you have a place at mural arts, consider us a home for you.

LEMON: With that, Whittington began his transformation and he crossed paths, again, with his victim.

GOLDEN: I heard through the grapevine the mom of the young man who was shot had forgiven Michael. I said can I bring Michael Whittington up to meet you in person and to meet Kevin? And she said come up and have dinner.

LEMON: The meeting reached an unexpected conclusion.

GOLDEN: He and Kevin started talking as if they had known each other for years.

LEMON: Johnson passed away in 2006 due to complications from the shooting. Mural arts, with the help of Whittington and Johnson's family, painted this mural in his honor. They gave it the fitting title, forgiveness.

WHITTINGTON: I had the chance to meet him. And actually he forgave me, him and his mom. And it was a crazy situation and then we actually became friends.

LEMON: Today, living out his friend's legacy, Whittington still works with mural arts lifting up young people from disadvantages backgrounds like his own.

WHITTINGTON: I see mistakes they make and I try to help them see the bigger picture.

LEMON: A picture where violence is replaced with compassion.

Don Lemon, CNN.

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SAVIDGE: Great story, thank you, Don.

Well, they call themselves al-Shabaab. It's the militant group that has claimed responsibility now for that deadly shooting in a Kenyan mall. Next, we will show how his group was formed and how it's linked to al-Qaeda.

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SAVIDGE: We have new casualty numbers to tell you about from Nairobi, Kenya.

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SAVIDGE: According to the Kenyan president's office, at least 39 people killed and an official reports said nearly 300 others have been treated at area hospitals. There are Americans that were inside the mall when the attack happened and some of them are also hurt. Nobody is sure exactly how many gunmen are in the mall. But we are told now that at least two of them are dead. The rest are still holed up inside more than 12 hours since the assault began.

As for who did it, a militant group that operates in east Africa is claiming responsibility. The group calls itself al-Shabaab and identifies itself as an affiliate of al-Qaeda.

As I told you several Americans were inside the mall when the attacker started shooting. Some of them are hurt. And we spoke to a Washington D.C. woman who managed to escape.

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HEAD: We began crawling behind cars and underneath cars. And our driver, who was Kenyan suggested, well yelled at us to run. So, we began running with him and we run toward the stairwell. We have gone one level down into the parking garage. So, I thought well, we will get in to the stairwell, we will go one level up and then I will be able to exit and run out. That wasn't the case. So we entered the stairwell and would try to go up several flights and heard gunshots above us. So, we have all turned around and, you know, headed the other direction down the stairwell. But it wasn't safe to exit there, either. So, we stayed in the stairwell for an hour and a half or so. There were two people there inside the stairwell who had superficial wounds, but remained there and bleeding for the hour and a half we were trapped.

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SAVIDGE: A few hours ago, the president of Kenya addressed the people of the country on television. He mentioned that he also lost what he calls close family members in the shopping mall attack. He didn't elaborate on that. But listen to the message for the people of Kenya.

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UHURU KENYATTA, KENYAN PRESIDENT: We have overcome terrorist attacks before. We are fought courageously and defeated them within our borders. We will defeat them again. Terrorism, in and of itself, is the philosophy of cowards. The way we lead our lives in freedom, openness, unity and consideration for each other, represents our victory over those who wish us ill. We are as brave and invincible as the lions in our coat of arms. My government stands ready to defend the nation from internal as well as external aggression. I urge all Kenyans to stands together and see this dark moment through.

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SAVIDGE: Some details now on the al-Qaeda linked group claiming responsibility for today's attack. The group, al-Shabaab has accused Kenya being too closely affiliated with the U.S. Al-Shabaab also believed to be responsible for attacks in Somalia that have killed international aid workers, journalists, civilian leaders and peace keepers.

Here is CNN's David McKenzie.

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DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mass gunmen hold a hunting knife to the head of a terrified Somali man hinting at brutal justice. It's a propaganda video purported to be made in late 2008 by al-Shabaab, a Somali extremist group with operational links to al-Qaeda.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

MCKENZIE: One of the militants recites verses from the Koran who accuses the man of being a spy. Then on camera, they behead their captive with knives.

HASSAN SHIRE SHEIKH, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST: The most gruesome violations committed by al-Shabaab. And they have (INAUDIBLE). They just shoot, they kill, they maim and they lash.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Calling all the brothers overseas, all the Shabaab wherever they are to come and live the life.

MCKENZIE: Al-Shabaab are using sophisticated ways to recruit jihadists from both within Somalia and beyond, even successfully recruiting American Somalis to their cause.

RASHID ABDI, INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP: And if you look at the language, if you look at the websites, if you hear their preachers or their scholars speak, you know, it's completely indistinguishable from al-Qaeda leaders.

MCKENZIE: And their methods are, too, using a symmetrical terror tactics like suicide bombings, once unheard of in Somalia to inflict maximum damage.

ABDI: We should not under estimate the capacity al-Shabaab to conduct those operations. This is a very deadly organization. Very formidable for.

MCKENZIE: An extremist Islamic group that will continue to inflict terror in a region was known for its moderate Islam.

David McKenzie, CNN, Nairobi, Kenya.

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MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Iran's new president says the U.S. and Iran need to work together. Is there (INAUDIBLE) in the works between the U.S. and Iran? And if so, what would it mean here at home? We will talk about it with two political analysts. That's next.

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SAVIDGE: Iran's new president says that the time has come for the U.S. and Iran to work together. It's fairly surprising rhetoric from a country at has been odds with the U.S. for so long. And that's not all. Hassan Rouhani told NBC this week that his country is not trying to develop nuclear weapons and, in fact, never will.

So, should the U.S. sit down and talk and what political impact would it have here at home? That is on the Obama administration. Let's talk about all of this with two political analyst. That's Ben Ferguson, he is a CNN political commentator and also we have got Maria Cardona. She is a Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator.

And I know we are accustomed to the two of you disagreeing. But I'm being told that you actually both agree on this.

And I'm wondering, Ben, let's start with you. The idea of starting a conversation with Iran, a good thing?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I do. And I think part of it is because the background of this new president of Iran. First of all, he walked away from his position in government when Ahmadinejad was elected. They were not tight. They were not very close. And he ran on a different agenda than Ahmadinejad. He said look, we have been hurt, our economy has been hurt. And that is part of the isolation of the world because of our nuclear program. And in Iran, he openly said, I'm going to get the west and the other countries and the EU3 as he referred to it, which is, you know, the UK and France and Germany. He was one of those that actually came together with those three nations and tried to negotiate a nuclear weapons early on in his career.

And so, I think it can't hurt for us to sit down and maybe try to start anew. At the same time, you have to realize you are dealing with Iran and not say that we are going to give you more time to work on things or hit the pause button because they have been pushing toward nuclear weapons. We have to be strong and stern. It's worth sitting at the table, I think, with him because he seems to be different than Ahmadinejad was.

SAVIDGE: All right, Ben, let's get Maria in the conversation. Do you agree for the same reasons?

MARIA CARDONA, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: No, I think they are very similar. And look, if Ben and I can agree on this, why can't President Obama and the Iranian president sit down and perhaps agree with how to move forward? So, look.

SAVIDGE: Absolutely, yes. This is a key indicator.

CARDONA: Exactly. You know, the bottom line is, and we saw this with Syria, we have a very war wary nation. We have a nation that is full of American families who are sick of being engaged abroad. So, if we are not someone and President Obama certainly is not someone who is going to be quick with military intervention, even though it is very important to keep it on the table as an option and he has done that throughout, then we have to go down and explore the opening of diplomatic possibility.

And that is exactly what the new president of Iran is offering us. And I think we should take it with eyes wide open. We have to verify and then trust and verify, again. But I think there's a hallmark of statesmanship and we saw it with Reagan sitting down with Gorbachev and we saw it with Carter at Camp David, then you have to take a rest and be ready to open up the lines of diplomacy because it is in everyone's best interest.

SAVIDGE: Yes.

But Ben, before you start, let me just ask you this. How do we can know -- I mean, the Iranian are notorious for dragging this out and also the president doesn't have the final say.

FERGUSON: Well, and I think what you possibly have to do here, if you are President Barack Obama and his leadership is you have to go in and make it incredibly clear we do not trust you, we do not believe you. And it's because of this systematic, you know, culture of corruption that we have seen from your government with hide and seek and with nuclear programs.

And so, we are willing to sit down and have a direct conversation, but we are not going to stop the until pressure on you and you are going to have to become more transparent and allow us more freedom to look at what you are doing if you want to fix things.

And I think one of the biggest things playing to our advantage is when he ran, he overwhelmingly had the support of the people because he said I know that we become so isolated that it's destroying our economy. And the people rallied around him because he was not associated with Ahmadinejad. So for him, I think, he is looking at I have to get reelected soon. So, if I can maybe put a pause button on some of our nuclear ambitions and not be so flamboyant, then the people will continue to like and trust me. And that's the biggest thing to his advantage right now.

In many ways, how Gorbachev was when you saw, you know, communism in the USSR starting to fold and they over expanded, the people were at their wits end and you may have that same possibility here.

SAVIDGE: All right, Maria, let me ask you this. The presidents, we know, both of them are going to be at the United Nations this week. Is it wise for President Obama to have some kind of direct face-to- face meeting? How would that go over with the American public?

CARDONA: Well, I think it is why and the White House has said that there is a possibility here for them to be sitting down and talk. How formal will it be? We'll see. But, it's going to be interesting to see how it does play out here, Martin, because the American people do have, I think, a deep psychological impact of their image of Iran. And I'm one of those.

Look, I grew up in elementary school, catholic school and we prayed every morning for the release of the hostages. But, what has changed is we have a war wary nation. We are much more also of a global community and it's been clear for some time now that the American people don't want the United States to be the world's policeman.

So, I think all those put together go to we really do need to figure out whether this diplomacy is going to work, and I again, either wide open and skepticism.

And then one other thing to Martin, your point, this president -- the president of Iran also has, in addition to what Ben said, the support of the people. He also has the support of the supreme leader. So, even though he doesn't have the say, right now, what we are hearing is that he does have much more of the support and trust of the supreme leader.

SAVIDGE: Ben, you get one quick last word. Here it is.

FERGUSON: Yes. I think one of the other things that is very important to look at is he did not run on an anti-west, anti-American platform as Ahmadinejad did. Ahmadinejad was out there throwing nuclear bombs verbally at America and the west and every country involved with America. This guy ran on saying I'm going to do the opposite of that. And I think he has to put up. Otherwise, he could be in trouble with people in Iran. And that actually can work to our advantage as well.

SAVIDGE: Ben Ferguson and Maria Cardona, thank you both very much.

I have been covered a dozen plus wars. I'm always open for peace. I hope it works. Thank you.

CARDONA: Thanks, Martin. SAVIDGE: A Pennsylvania police chief took his frustration to You Tube. And why he has gotten a lot of support for his position he took in his video, he is out of a job. What got him so riled up?

Plus, a Florida man's family just released this disturbing police dash cam video. It shows an officer running over a Marlon Brown. Now, his family hopes this video with lead to charges and that is next.

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SAVIDGE: The family of a Florida man has released graphic video of his death. They are hoping to get criminal charges filed against the police officer who ran him over.

On May 8, Marlon Brown was being chased by the land police because they allegedly saw he was not wearing a seatbelt. Brown stopped his car and he started running. The dash cam reported the whole incident showing a police car hit and run him over. CNN is not going to show the moment of impact because that video was simply too graphic. A grand jury decided this week not to indict the officer. The family's attorney say that is unacceptable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN CRUMP, FAMILY ATTORNEY: He went around the officers into the backyard at a high rate of speed and you determine whether he revved up that engine or not with the intent of getting Marlon Brown. We don't understand how this is not vehicular manslaughter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: The land police are conducting an internal review the incident and have fired the officer who was behind the wheel. The state attorney is standing by his decision not to file charges.

Well, we came to know her as the hiccup woman. You might remember her nonstop hiccupping been and how she was an Internet must see. Today, Jennifer Mee is back in the headlines, this time convicted of first degree murder. Now, Jury said that she lured a man she met on the Internet to his death, though, she wasn't the one who actually killed him. She cried when the verdict was read yesterday in the Florida courtroom. Mee was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Pennsylvania police chief who delivered a profanity lace pro-gun message, guns blazing on You Tube is out of a job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Bleep) yourself and get some more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: His videos went viral generating a lot of support for his stand. But also, there was a lot of criticism.

Rosa Flores joins us now from New York to sort it all out -- Rosa. ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening.

Gilberton, Pennsylvania police Chief Mark Kessler blasted gun control supporters by firing weapons on You Tube. Well announced he got fired from his post as police chief. The town council voted 6-1 to terminate him. Let's take you back and let's get one more look at how this all started.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK KESSLER, POLICE CHIEF: (Bleep) you. Here's what I have to say. If you didn't get enough the first time around, go (bleep) yourself and get some more.

FLORES: This was Kessler back in July firing his weapon and railing against liberals for attempting to curb gun rights. He drew thousands of supporters to a town of about 750 people. His supporters include openly armed people.

Now fast forward to today, the crowd has thinned out, but the rhetoric has not. Kessler was suspended by counsel pending termination, not for the videos his attorney said. But instead, he is accused of misusing bureau property, neglecting his duties and failing to turn over weapons to the bureau. But Kessler will tell you he thinks the firing is due to his videos.

KESSLER: No surprise. It was, you know, we knew it was coming. Just clean house. It's time for a change. You know, these people have a death grip on this town long before my time. You know, I just thought I don't live here. Be persecuted by these people that run this area.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: Kessler was suspended by ten days. I talked to him earlier today and he tell me that he plans to appeal on Monday. But he also says that at the end of the day, his gut tells him, Martin, that he's going to get terminated any way.

SAVIDGE: I presume he is, you know, suspended without pay. What is he doing now and what is he going to do if the appeal is denied?

FLORES: Well, you know, he tells me he is raising money by hosting classes to help people learn how to shoot weapons and also self- defense classes. But hear this. He is also running for sheriff of that county. And he tells me that he didn't sign up early enough, so he is not on the ticket as a Democrat or Republican. He's on there as an independent and he is keeping his fingers crossed. So, we will see.

SAVIDGE: Yes, we will. And I'm sure it's not the last we have heard from him.

Rosa Flores thank you so much.

Next, a man dying of cancer. Reunited with a long lost symbol that connected him to his mother. It's his story that will bring tears to your eyes. Don't miss it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Apple fanatics, and you know who you are, are making a mad dash for the new iphones this weekend. Check out the crowds waiting and waiting yesterday in New York City. The new iphone 5s and 5c are in huge demand. People lined up in Seattle, Tokyo, Australia, and California. There was a gold rush of sorts for the gold colored iphones. Fans appear to be choosing the new gold models over the traditional silver and space gray options.

From Charleston, South Carolina now, a story that is so much more than just lost and found. The recovery of a long lost treasure is more like the reflection of the family's love, coming full circle.

Our Ed Lavandera has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This dark river in South Carolina holds ancient secrets. Scuba divers like Brian Tovin come here to uncover long lost treasures. But he had no idea this river would send him on an unforgettable journey.

BRIAN TOVIN, SCUBA DIVER WHO FOUND RING: And this was filled in with gravel so I'm just looking at the periphery of the ring.

LAVANDERA: Three weeks ago, Tovin found the most priceless treasure of all hidden 40 feet under water in the gravel bed. A 1974 college of Charleston class ring with the initials RLP engraved on the inside.

TOVIN: We figured, you know what, let's do some investigating. Let's follow the path and see where it leads us.

LAVANDERA: Tovin set out to find the mystery college of Charleston graduate. When he called the school, he was told only two people in the graduating class had the initials RLP, one was a woman, the other this man in his college photo, Robert Lavon Phillips. Through social networks, Tovin found Phillips' son and learned just how special the ring is.

ERIC PHILIPS, SON: He talked about it all the time, I think, because it came from his mother and, you know, it's one of the stories that kind of epitomize a season of his life.

LAVANDERA: It was 1974, Robert Phillips and his future wife decided to come spend the day out here on the Cupa (ph) river near Charleston, South Carolina. And they were on a boat, and Mr. Phillips reaches for a beer and when popped open the tab, the tab gets stock on his finger. And when he tries to flick it off, the ring goes flying right into the tab. It sank to the bottom of the river, Robert Philips never got over losing the ring. It was the last gift his mother ever gave him. She died of cancer years later which makes this moment all the more profound.

TOVIN: Mr. Phillips? I'm Brian Tovin. ROBERT PHILLIPS, OWNER OF THE FOUND RING: Hi, Mr. Tovin. How are you?

TOVIN: Very nice to meet you. You have been waiting for something for awhile?

ROBERT PHILLIPS: I have been.

LAVANDERA: Thirty-nine years later, it is Robert Philips who is dying of cancer now. He doesn't have long to live.

TOVIN: I know this is going to look like I'm proposing to you, so please don't tell my wife, OK?

ROBERT PHILLIPS: I promise, I won't.

TOVIN: Here it is. Let me take it out for you.

ROBERT PHILLIPS: Wow. That is awesome.

LAVANDERA: Tears trickled down his cheek. You have spent a lot of time thinking about why 39 years later this ring is back in your life?

ROBERT PHILLIPS: Yes. I have thought about that. And I just I thank you Lord that I got it back.

LAVANDERA: Robert Phillips feels his mother had a hand in bringing back this long lost treasure reunited with a symbol of love when he needs it most.

Your mom is still looking out for you?

ROBERT PHILLIPS: I think mama is.

LAVANDERA: Ed Lavandera, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Wonderful story. Thank you, Ed.

It's a role that President Obama has taken on many times in his presidency, comforter in chief. It happened after Newtown, Connecticut, the Boston bombings and superstorm Sandy. And it's about to happen again. This time at the Navy yard. I will explain.

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SAVIDGE: We want to keep you updated on events in Kenya. And we have some updated casualty numbers for you from that terror attack in Nairobi. We are working on information from the Kenyan president's office. And it is reporting now that at least 39 people are dead. And there's a new figure, more than 290 people needed some kind of hospital treatment. Some of those hurt are Americans. They were inside a large shopping mall when gunmen rushed inside and started shooting. At least two attackers are said to be dead. We are told the rest of them are pin down inside of that mall and are holding hostages.

President Obama will speak tomorrow at a memorial service for the 12 victims of that Navy yard shooting. It is a role the president is getting used to after mass shootings in Newton, Connecticut, Aurora, Colorado and Tuson, Arizona. We will bring the remarks of the president live at 5:00 p.m. and that is Eastern Time.

Here is something, for the first time we know about a near nuclear disaster in the U.S. in 1961. The guardian newspaper got a-hold of these declassified documents that show two hydrogen bombs fell harmlessly, I love that, to earth in North Carolina after an air force b-52 bomber broke up in the air. Each bomb 260 times more powerful than a bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The documents say that there were four safety mechanisms and three of them didn't work. It was that close.

I'm Martin Savidge at CNN World headquarters in Atlanta. Still here.

"Prince William's Passion: New Father, New Hope" begins right now.