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Shooting Suspect Posted Violent Images, Lyrics and Cartoons; WNBA Star Pleads for Biden's Help from Inside Russian Prison; White Sox Pitcher Slams U.S. Gun Laws in Wake of Latest Mass Shooting. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired July 05, 2022 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

CANDICE DELONG, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Especially, what, this is the third or fourth mass shooting in so many weeks. And the relatives that are sometimes saying, gee I didn't see anything. And then we find out person was on their computer eight hours a day. That is something that people should look at. What's going on?

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: And in fact, Juliette, our reporters have looked at it because he did leave a lot of signs and clues online. I mean, Drew Griffin, our investigative correspondent was able to quickly see these very disturbing things that he was putting online. Let me play that for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: There's a picture of this stick figure, which again, it's a stick figure, but it resembles him and the hair and he's laying prone on the ground in blood getting shot at by police. Another stick figure where he's aiming it at just innocent victims, and he's dressed, a stick figure, in tactical gear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Juliette, is there any way for law enforcement to be more proactive when clues like this are online?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Yes, there is, actually. So, Illinois has what's called the red flag law which we have been talking about in the federal gun legislation. It's not enough to pass a law. That law permits not just law enforcement, but family members, community members, people around the potential suspect to come forward and say we're concerned and that would impact gun possession and gun purchases. So, it past two years ago -- Illinois -- it has only had 115 case, but more interestingly, 62 percent of those come from Paige County, which is not where Highland Park is.

What does that tell us? It means that police need to be trained. Community leaders need to notify people that this tool is available to them. Because I personally don't believe the uncle, I'll just tell you honestly, and this is my little rant right here. It's not enough anymore to sit passively and say we had no idea that this person was doing this underneath our nose. But what's happening is people are not taking active interest in what's happening to their family members, and don't know what to do if they do have concerns. So that's why red flag laws have to be advertised and people have to be educated that they're available. Because they do work. This is just the data is absolutely clear that they work. And so that's one tool.

The second, of course, is access to a certain kind of gun that's going to kill people very, very quickly. That is the -- that's the debate. Everyone thinks, oh, guns, they're not all alike. Some guns, you know, kill faster, and what does that mean? That means that law enforcement can't protect the community. I mean, you know, your personal feelings about guns, whether you like them or not doesn't matter. What you're trying to do is just simply provide opportunities for law enforcement to be able to protect more people.

And so those are two areas in which we can look at a practical solutions that we know work for communities. Because in the end, these guys are not menaces to themselves, right. If they were, I wouldn't be on TV so much. You know, they're menaces to others, right, to our parents and children and everything else.

CAMEROTA: I mean, and that's what we're trying to come up with, practical common sense solutions.

KAYYEM: I've got to for you.

CAMEROTA: Yes, thank you. There has to be a way to crack this. Candace, one of the things that we learned in the police briefing was that he had planned this. He had gone to different gun stores, and used the same name, but locally, and bought them legally, and he had also worn a disguise. What does that tell you about his psyche?

DELONG: Well, the fact that he planned it. Some people might look at that and say, well, he's not seriously mentally ill, meaning suffering from schizophrenia, a thought disorder where he can't think straight, and sometimes shooters, that is what's going on with them. But somebody can be seriously mentally ill, untreated, not on medication, not connected to a therapist, and delusional, maybe even hearing voices and still be able to plan. We see that a lot.

The disguise I find fascinating if you're talking about the fact that he dressed as a woman yesterday, so that he could, after the shooting, get out and blend with the crowd. I've never heard of that. I find that very, very interesting.

CAMEROTA: Yes, I too find that to be an interesting clue that the police just talked about, and maybe we'll hear more about that in a half an hour when they have their next briefing. Juliette Kayyem, Candace DeLong, thank you both very much.

Now to this. In a handwritten letter Brittney Griner asks President Biden to do more to bring her and other detained Americans home. We have more from her letter and what her teammates are now saying. That's next.

[15:35:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: Imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner just sent an impassioned plea to President Biden to bring her home. Griner who is detained in a Russian prison went on trial in Russia on Friday on drug smuggling charges and she'll return to court on Thursday. In her handwritten letter she tells the president she's terrified that she will be in Russia forever.

CNN's Rosa Flores joins us now. So, Rosa, just take us through this letter that you helped obtain and how the White House is responding.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Alisyn, the backdrop is really important here because Brittney Griner has spent months in a Russian jail. Now she was detained, remember, back in February on possession of narcotics charges, and so she's been there, she's been in that jail cell by herself. Now she's going to trial, and it's in that mind space that these words start flowing, these thoughts start flowing. And so, she grabs a pen and paper and writes this letter to President Biden.

Now her communications team did not release the entire letter. These are excerpts.

And here's what she wrote, quote: As I sit here in a Russian prison alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever. She goes on to say, I realize you're dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees.

[15:40:03]

Please do all you can to bring us home. I miss my wife. I miss my teammates, it kills me to know that they are suffering so much right now.

Now, the White House has maintained that Brittney Griner was wrongfully detained in Russia, and they've issued this statement saying quote, President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released including Brittney Griner. The U.S. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home.

Now, the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury said that she cried when she read Brittney Griner's letter, and she also mentioned that just men's sports just get so much more attention than women's sports. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VENESSA NYGAARD, PHOENIX MERCURY HEAD COACH: If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right. It was a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of a black person. It's a statement about the value of the gay person. All of those things, and we know it. And so that's what hurts a little more. (END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: Now, listen, about Brittney Griner's trial. She's going through the trial now. The next hearing is set for July 7th -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK, Rosa Flores, thank you very much. Let's discuss all of this with Cari Champion, who is a CNN contributor, and host of the podcast, "Naked with Cari Champion. " OK, Cari, let just read you a little bit of more of this letter that Brittney Griner -- the personal appeal she made to President Biden.

She said: On the fourth of July our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day. Because freedom means something completely different to me this year. I voted for the first time in 2020, and I voted in you, I believe in you, I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore.

What do you think about hearing her personal plea?

CARI CHAMPION, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: You know, I think the Phoenix Mercury head coach said it right, she is a woman, she gay, she is black. And all of those things in this particular instance don't help her. And I think what Brittney was doing -- well not being calculated, but she was saying I am a human. That's what lacks here, right, the humanity. If she doesn't feel like someone you can have dinner with, if she doesn't seem familiar with you to you, you can forget about her.

And unfortunately, that happens with a lot of folks in the marginalized communities. And so, what she's saying, she's trying to just pull on these heart strings. I am just like someone you know. I live in your neighborhood. My family is very similar to your family. I could have dinner with you. I can break bread with you. If I feel like you can see me as a human, as a friend, as a daughter, as someone you understand, maybe you'll do a little more. And that's the unfortunate part here is that she has to show that she's human. So many times, people just forget. It's not so much an issue if this was LeBron. Of course, if this was LeBron, it would be a different circumstance. We have known that women do not get the same attention as men in sports, but she's doing what she thinks will help.

But, Cari, do you really think that? I mean, I just have a hard time understanding, if it were LeBron James, if it were Tom Brady, it would be easy to pick up the phone and call Putin who's engaged in a war with Ukraine. I mean, we're making it sound as though, surely President Biden would then do it. Could it really be that easy. In other words, you truly think that she is detained because of those qualities that you just outlined.

CHAMPION: No, well, if it was LeBron or if it was Tom Brady, Alisyn, they wouldn't have to play overseas because they would make enough money. And so that really is a false equivalent. But I think what the coach was trying to say, if she was someone of stature that seemed very much like someone you cared about or was more popular or more famous, perhaps there would be more done. I don't think it would be easy for LeBron or Tom Brady to get out of

prison, but I do know that there have been instances, where athletes that are male athletes got in trouble abroad, and they were able to solve that trouble, sooner rather than later. I think that we need to focus on this.

There is a blame tide to go around. And I think Brittney and her camp right now are in the get along to play along game. We know very well that more than likely this will end in a conviction. Or perhaps she will plead out. All I know is that this is her only way of saying, I too matter. Because we live in a world that doesn't necessarily think she does. And I don't want to be rude, and I don't want to be harsh, but that is the truth, and as I said before, it's time to say the quiet part out loud. I don't think LeBron or Tom Brady would be in this situation because they make millions and millions of dollars.

And she's there because she's -- during her regular NBA season doesn't make the type of money because women's sports don't make that kind of money, and unfortunately, this is what they have to do to make a decent living for themselves and the living in which they want.

[15:45:00]

CAMEROTA: Cari, while I have you, I also want to ask you about the mass shooting and the gun violence that we're seeing because we are hearing sports figures speak out from time to time, including the Chicago White Sox pitcher who felt compelled to talk about this. So let me play that for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIAM HENDRIKS, WHITE SOX PITCHER: Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's becoming all too common place. I think the access to the weaponry that is being kind of used in these things is -- something needs to change. Something needs to be done. Something needs to happen. Because there's way too many people losing their lives.

It's baffling to me, obviously coming over. That's what America is known for. I can walk in a store as a non-American and buy a handgun in certain states and that baffles me because it takes longer -- I had to take a driving test when I was over here. I won't have to take a test if I want to get a gun. That's stupid. Who ever thought that was a great idea is an idiot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: People who come from other countries are often baffled by the gun violence in the United States. And he's just saying what so many people from other countries say all the time when they hear about this in the news. Do you think it helps to have sports figures talk about this to get it more to the bloodstream?

CHAMPION: I do. I do. I'm a little conflicted on this, Alisyn. And that is because there are so many things that can happen in our world, right, that we can talk about. And oftentimes people try to say just stick to sports. But we live in a time in which the two go together. The intersection is unavoidable. And if we live in this world and we want to make it a better place, all of us try to speak up.

And we're seeing athletes more than ever find their voice because they're feeling comfortable to do so. And many athletes, i.e., Colin Kaepernick, get penalized for doing that. And now were at a time when the country is as we can see -- and athletes more specifically as you mentioned -- have decided to say I want to join in this. Now I do think it helps. I don't particularly understand what rights are better to speak about versus the other rights. But at the end of the day, the big picture is that there is a lot wrong with this country. And these people who we deem are heroes are saying I can't simply stand by and not say anything.

And I'll bring it full circle back to Brittney Griner, that letter was something that was so impassionate and she said I need help. And what we're asking for, Alisyn, is that perhaps President Biden will meet with Brittney Griner's wife and will say what can we do to help. I'm not sure that that has taken place. I'm sure there are things happening behind closed doors to make that happen. But we are at a time where anyone with a platform, more specifically an athlete with a platform understands that the intersection is here and we have to discuss it.

CAMEROTA: Cari Champion, always great to get your take and your candor, thank you so much for being here.

CNN just confirmed the 7th person has died from the mass shooting at the Highland Park parade. Any minute now, the Highland Park Police will hold a news conference to update all of us, and we hope to learn more about a motive and just what happened here. We're going to bring all of it to you live when it happens.

[15:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: This just in to CNN. A seventh person has died as a result of yesterday's Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. Let's bring in Carrie Mangoubi, she was at the parade with her three young children and her niece. Carrie, thank you very much for being here. Just tell us where you were with your kids and what you heard and saw.

CARRIE MANGOUBI, ATTENDED PARADE: Thanks for having me. We were about 400 feet down the road. And the parade had just started. My kids and my niece were really excited. The fire trucks had gone down with their sirens and everybody was waving and having a good time. And all of a sudden, I saw the marching band just start bolting down the street. And I thought that's really weird, what's going on. And then the next thing you know, the fire trucks that were just in the parade, a bunch of police cars and ambulances were zooming down the parade route.

Sirens blaring, you know, 50 miles per hour, which -- I was like, OK, something is going on here because, you know, there's kids standing in the street and there's obviously a big energy. And then another spectator yelled, there's a shooter. And at that point, my husband and I kind of snapped out of our confusion. We grabbed my three daughters and my niece and we ran to the car. We had my mother-in-law and sister-in-law with us, luckily, so you know, we were able to grab our stuff, grab the kids and make it to the car and get out of Dodge.

CAMEROTA: And that's not easy, Carrie. I mean, as I understand it you have a 9 month old, a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, it not easy -- and your niece. It's not easy for that kind of troop movement in a crisis, in an emergency. Have your kids talked about what happened yet to you? Do they understand what happened?

MANGOUBI: Yes. I mean, the baby, obviously, you know, didn't know what was going on. The 3-year-old was scared because everybody was so frantic around her. My 5-year-old daughter and my niece, they were the most shaken up. You know, my niece is in first grade, and she has had active shooter drills in school. So, she really understood the implications of what was going on, and she was pretty hysterical, which was completely heartbreaking. Because no child should ever have to feel that way.

And my 5-year-old daughter last night was really scared and had a lot of anxiety. She wanted to make sure our doors were locked, that our windows were locked. She asked me, you know, why I picked up her sister and not her, which is really heartbreaking as a mom, you know, thinking that I chose her sister over her, which obviously wasn't the case.

[15:55:00]

And, you know, she just had a lot of questions. You know, what came out of the gun. She's so innocent, she doesn't even understand why somebody would want to hurt other people like that.

CAMEROTA: I know you moved to this area because -- you know, for your kids, thinking it would be safe. And so, now how do you feel?

MANGOUBI: Yes, we were in the city. We were right downtown, city of Chicago. Which was great for many years. And then over the last couple of years, there were just an increase in violence. And, you know, with COVID and having our third baby and wanting more space and really wanting to provide as safe an environment as possible we decided to move to the North Shore. And we found a great house in North Book, which is where my husband and I are both from, so our family is nearby and it seems perfect.

And I thought, you know, nothing like that will ever happen here. It's just is a close-knit community, lots of wonderful, caring people. And, you know, the unthinkable, it happened on the Fourth of July. A day when we're supposed to be celebrating our freedoms. And it makes me so angry that some people are choosing to have the right to have a gun, have access to, you know, high-powered weapons without any background checks or without, you know, much law behind it, and it's taking away the whims that my kids have to feel secure and safe in their own home.

CAMEROTA: Carrie Mangoubi, You're not alone. Everyone understands your feeling today. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and hug your kids -- hug your kids extra tight for us. I really appreciate talking to you. OK, police are scheduled to hold that news conference we've been

talking about just minutes from now. And "THE LEAD" begins after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END