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Witness Describes Hiding Across the Street from Shooter; Ukraine: Russia Preparing for Assault on Donetsk Region; Sweden and Finland are on the Cusp of Joining NATO; WNBA Star Brittney Griner Pleads for Freedom in Letter to Biden; U.S.: Israeli Military Gunfire Likely Killed Journalist; Chicago Pro Sports Teams React to Parade Shooting. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired July 05, 2022 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZOE PAWELCZAK, WITNESS: I saw a wonderful parade turn into a very scary moment. I saw people shot and killed around me. And a lot of people hiding.
A man actually went at one point to find his son, and he asked me to watch his kids so we were all hiding behind a dumpster together. And the kids, you know, really little kids, were like what is going on. I'm like, it's just fireworks, you know, people get silly with fireworks. And I just stayed with them for about half an hour while the guy was out looking for his other son.
The dad ended up putting his children in the dumpster to hide and stay safe. And it was probably 30 of us just hiding in this little corner behind the dumpsters. My dad and I ended up going up on the roof to hide behind this large air conditioning unit. And right across the street I guess is where they are saying where the shooter might have been. And I told my dad, don't look up, don't look out over that.
It sounded -- it was the loudest thing I've heard that's not like natural. It was a loud pop, pop, pop. And it was just endless. There was probably at least -- my dad thinks that it was 100, I think it was 50 at least. But just an endless pop, pop, pop. Just as loud thing. It sounded like if you are standing on top of a fire work that's just endlessly going.
I just had a bad feeling. It just seemed uncanny and I had watched fireworks the night before actually and I'm like this is too fast and I just grabbed my dad and we ran. And suddenly everyone was running behind us. And people were just shot behind us. And they let us go back to get our car keys and everything. And right where we were there was a girl just dead, another man was shot in the ear, blood all over his face.
It sounded like it was coming right next to us. And apparently it might have -- either on the roof or it was probably within 100 feet from us, but I can't tell if they were from above or on the ground. But right where we were is where they are showing all over the news downtown right now, and we could see the exact spot we were sitting and that is where people died. Like someone less than four arm lengths from me just shot and fell. And it was just so surreal. It's complete shock.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: We'll have more on the Illinois shooting later this hour.
Russian forces appearing to setting their sights on a new target after a critical victory in eastern Ukraine. On Monday President Vladimir Putin congratulated his troops for capturing the last Ukrainian stronghold in the Luhansk region. Ukraine says fighting on the borders of the territory is still under way but the battle is largely shifting to the Donetsk region as Russia seeks to capture the entire Donbas.
Ukraine's military says at least two people were killed and six more wounded amid shelling around the Donetsk region. And this is as Russian backed separatists accuse Ukraine of attacking the city of Donetsk, part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Now officials -- or officials there say at least three people were killed and dozens more were wounded. Video posted to social media appears to show some of the aftermath but CNN can't independently verify its authenticity.
As the fighting continues, Ukraine is already looking towards its post-war future unveiling a $750 billion reconstruction plan during a conference in Switzerland. In a virtual address Ukraine's president said rebuilding his country is a common task for the democratic world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): To rebuild Ukraine means to restore the principles of life, to restore the space of life, to restore what makes people human. Of course, it means massive construction, of course it means huge funding and colossal investments. Of course, it means a whole new level of security throughout our country which will continue to live near Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Sweden and Finland are on the cusp of joining NATO, both countries will soon sign the NATO accession protocols to formally join the Alliance. It must then be ratified by all 30 NATO member countries. On Monday Sweden and Finland completed a major part of the membership process by confirming their ability and willingness to meet the political, legal and military obligations of NATO. CNN's Nina dos Santos and Clare Sebastian joins me now. So, Clare, just take us through the change in strategy we're already seeing take place in eastern Ukraine for the Russians.
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, so this week, Max, we've seen Russia basically, declare victory because it has control now over the Luhansk region, which of course is one of the two regions which makes up the Donbas. Now, we know that that is the stated goal after that shift that we saw after the first month of the war where we thought that they might try to take the whole of Ukraine. Now they are focusing on the Donbas. So, this is a Victory that Russia can clearly take to the bank. Have a listen to what President Putin said about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[04:35:00]
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The units that took part in the active military operation and achieved success and victory in the Luhansk direction will decidedly have to rest, grow their combat capabilities. Other units including the eastern and west formations will have to continue their mission according to the previously suggested plan according to one purpose, and I hope all will continue to succeed just as Luhansk units have been successful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SEBASTIAN: When he tells the troops who are involved in the Luhansk region to rest, you might think that signals some kind of operational pause. That does not seem to be the reality on the ground. We've been hearing in the past few days of shelling in the key population centers in the Donetsk region where it seems that the focus is now shifting, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk. We're hearing of villages in the region being shelled. This morning Ukrainian military saying two killed and six wounded. So that is ticking up unclearly the activity there.
And not just there, because we're hearing as well this morning of a missile attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which is the east central region. Seven missiles were fired according to a local governor there. Six were shot down, but one did hit some houses but there were no casualties. Ukraine is also not letting up saying that it is preparing now to defend Donetsk.
FOSTER: And who knows if they continue beyond Donbas. We just don't know at this point, do we. But NATO preparing for every eventuality.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, and getting bigger now because obviously, in this hour we're expecting Jens Stoltenberg the Secretary-General of NATO to formally have assigning a press conference with the foreign secretaries of both Sweden and Finland. This means that these two countries have met the criteria to join NATO. We know that they managed at the NATO Summit in Madrid last week to overcome the misgivings and concerns that Turkey had about their memberships. And so now it is full steam ahead to admit these two countries.
That will radically realter the security dynamics that Clare was talking about not just in eastern Europe but the northern region as well. We're talking about the whole of the of the Baltic Sea. Remember Russia still has the Baltic enclave outpost there, so we have Leningrad on the Baltic Sea. All of that region will now become NATO territory. That's a big thing for Russia to have to deal with.
And when it comes to Finland and Sweden, Sweden has huge amounts of water, it's going to now have to police with his submarines that they make homemade. Also, Gripen fighter jets. It's another big part of the Swedish defense sector as well.
And then Finland will have an 830 mile border to police with Russia as well. And so, a lot changing in this part of the world and it is all about trying to make sure that the war in Ukraine stops in Ukraine.
FOSTER: The formalities need to play out, don't they. There is a longer term process for Sweden and Finland to be officially part of NATO, but in all intents and purpose they are practically part of the Alliance, aren't they. If there was an attack on Finland, what would happen?
DOS SANTOS: Well, this is the point. So, now they have the security of invitee status if you like. So, that almost the practical members, It just has to go through the individual 30 Parliaments of NATO countries to be rubber stamped if you like. But the reality is -- there was a report out in Sweden a couple of weeks or a month ago or so, Max, lots of people already acknowledge that these are two countries that have been conducting joint exercises with NATO for quite some time. Finland, for instance, that says Sweden makes a lot of its own defense hardware, but Finland is already involved in fighter jet programs with the United States. It buys weaponry from the United States.
So, these are countries that have already since the 1990s been involved in joint exercises. They know how to work with NATO. So, but you're right, there will be probably an expediated accession process for these two countries. Because they meet the criteria amply. Normally it takes six months to one year for a country to join NATO, but these are countries that are already one step ahead of previous members.
FOSTER: OK, both thank you very much indeed.
Now WNBA star Brittney Griner says she's terrified she must be in a Russian jail forever. Griner expressed her fears in a handwritten letter that was delivered to the U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday morning. She begged Mr. Biden not to forget about her and other detainees.
In her letter she wrote: 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.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport back in February about a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Authorities claim Griner had cannabis oil in her luggage. She went on trial on Friday on drug smuggling charges and is facing up to ten years in prison. Supporters say Griner has been wrongfully detained.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VANESSA NYGAARD, PHOENIX MERCURY HEAD COACH: If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right? Yes. It does. It is a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of a black person, a statement about the value after a gay person. All of those things.
[04:40:00]
And we know it. And so that's what hurts a little more.
SHEY PEDDY, PHOENIX MERCURY GUARD: She should be here with us. Biden hopefully he reads the letter, he helps expedite the situation, but she should be here. We miss her. Free BG.
JAMES WADE, CHICAGO SKY HEAD COACH AND GENERAL MANAGER: I know where BG is. She's been there four months. They know that. Why do we have to sign a petition? Let's pretend like it's Tom Brady. Would we have to sign a petition then?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Well, Brittney Griner played basketball in Russia during the WNBA's offseason.
Now next on CNN NEWSROOM --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hold Israel accountable and put an end to this grotesque impunity that Israel continues to enjoy. We call for justice for Shireen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Calls for justice and accountability, the family of slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh say that they are incredulous over U.S. findings about her death. We'll have the latest from Jerusalem next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: The U.S. says Israeli military gunfire was likely responsible for the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. But the State Department says that forensic examination of the fatal bullet could not reach a definitive conclusion. CNN's Hadas Gold is in Jerusalem. This is always hard, isn't it, for anyone close to someone who has died not to get a clear answer.
HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and we're hearing the frustrations really from both Palestinian officials and from Shireen Abu Akleh's family. But this statement from the State Department is so important because it's the first time that the Americans are taking any sort of position on what they believe happened when Shireen Abu Akleh was killed while covering that Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin in May.
[04:45:00]
Now, as you noted they did say that a ballistic examination of the bullet was inconclusive they said, because the bullet was so badly damaged. But they said after reviewing both Palestinian and Israeli investigations into what happened, they have come to the conclusion that it is most likely that it was Israeli gunfire that killed Abu Akleh.
However, they do say they have no reason to believe that it was intentional but they said rather the result of tragic circumstances during IDF led military operation against factions of Palestinian and Islamic jihad.
Now this conclusion that it was likely Israeli gunfire that killed her, is the same as multiple investigations including CNN's have come to as well. Now, the anger and frustration from the Palestinians was very clear from the moment that this came out. The Palestinian Authority Attorney General's office actually disputed the idea that the bullet was so badly damaged beyond the point of being able to match to a gun saying that they believe that it is in good enough condition do so.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority president say that they call on the U.S. administration to maintain its credibility and to hold Israel fully responsibility. And then there is Abu Akleh's family who in a very emotional statement said that they were incredulous. Take a listen to what Shireen Abu Akleh's niece had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINA ABU AKLEH, NIECE OF SHIREEN ABU AKLEH: We were expecting that such an investigation would actually hold the perpetrators accountable and would carry out the transparent investigation that is free from any political pressure. However, that was not the case. We will continue to call for justice. We will continue to call on the U.S. to carry out a transparent investigation by an independent body.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLD: Now the Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement that they express sorrow for Shireen Abu Akleh's death. Saying that the Israeli military has been unable to determine who was responsible but that they have determined conclusively that there was no intention to harm her. The Israeli military said that they will continue to investigate the incident and any decision about whether to launch a criminal investigation into what will happen will only come after that operational examination will be concluded. Not specifying when they expect that to be wrapped up -- Max.
FOSTER: OK, Hadas Gold in Jerusalem, thank you.
Still to come on CNN NEWSROOM, millions of Americans suffer through a heatwave while others flee a quickly spreading wildfire.
GENE NORMAN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And I'm tracking this newest heat dome, I'll show you who is being impacted and how long it lasts. That is ahead on CNN NEWSROOM after the break.
[04:50:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: New details emerging in the Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois just outside Chicago. The suspect is now in custody but has yet to be charged. Investigators are combing through social media, they say a significant amount of digital evidence already points in his direction. We've since learned that he posted violent imagery. Authorities say the gunman used a high powered rifle to fire on the parade crowd from the rooftop of a nearby business. At least six people were killed and about two dozen were wounded. The victims have not yet been identified.
Professional sports teams from around Chicago are sharing their reactions to the tragedy online. White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks had this to say about the shooting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIAM HENDRIKS, WHITE SOX PITCHER: I don't think that enough is being done and I think that there is two sides and two sides need to meet somewhere in the middle and figure this out. Because too many people are dying. And it's no excuse to be like, oh, I'm on the side of that site. It's no excuse. At some point things need to get done or else, I mean, it's getting to the point where civilization as you know it may be ending.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Well, the city's other Major League Baseball team the Cubs said in part, quote, we are heart broken and grief stricken at the senseless violence in Highland Park.
In another statement the Red Stars women's soccer club said that they, quote, mourn the lives lost to another senseless mass shooting.
The Bulls basketball team claims a special connection to Highland Park. The team says many of its players and staff are from the area. Part of the statement reads, quote, this situation is one that we've seen too many times. The Chicago Bulls are committed to change and using the resources in our power to make a difference.
Flooding in Australia's most populated state has been declared a natural disaster. Meanwhile, more than 50,000 people across New South Wales are being told to evacuate or prepare for those orders. The state's premier warns the flooding is far from over. The emergency declaration was passed by the federal government to free up emergency funds to help cities like Sydney. Weather conditions in the city have created perfect conditions for flooding so far.
More than 50 million Americans across 18 states are suffering under heat advisories today. The combination of high temperatures and humidity is raising the danger of heat-related illnesses. Hot weather and drought are also causing a wildfire to spread at a dangerous rate near Sacramento, California. It prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders. Meteorologist Gene Norman joins me now from the CNN Weather Center. Hi, Gene.
NORMAN: Hey, Max. And we're talking about this fire, it's the Electra fire in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California. You see from these pictures, firefighters are trying to get ahead of this, and try to beat it back a little bit. But it has spread very, very quickly. That's one of the challenges with the very dry conditions out in this part of California. This fire is already close to about 1,000 acres with zero percent containment near the town of Jackson. And again, it spread quickly once it began late Monday evening. In just three hours it had grown to that size.
A sign of that deepening drought in our Western part of the U.S. where 76 percent is under drought. 38 percent of that classified as extreme or exceptional drought. Those darker red colors that you see on that map. And currently there are 53 large fires burning right now that have consumed nearly 2.5 million acres.
[04:55:00]
The interesting thing about that number, 53, is that 38 of those are in Alaska where they are also dealing with drought, exceptionally warm conditions and a lot of lightning recently has sparked fires there.
Back down closer to the lower 48, we're dealing with the heat thanks to a large area of high pressure parked across the middle of the country, that heat dome is allowing the temperatures to really bake outside of the edges of the heat, that's where storms are erupting. But it's going to be hard to penetrate that heat dome. And look right now at the excessive heat warnings that are in effect -- excessive heat warnings in effect for a good part of southern Missouri, that includes St. Louis.
The other orange areas that you see, those are heat advisories. And that means that the combination of the temperature and humidity could be between 100 and 111 degrees. Definitely a concern for those with -- because you could easily develop heat-related illnesses due to that. And we're talking about 19 states now. Because West Virginia was just added within the last hour.
Now this heat is going to continue to kind of drift mainly in the middle of the country, that's where it will bake. The eastern half will get a bit of a break as we head toward the end of the week and the weekend.
And as far as how long this will last. Well places like St. Louis, you're seeing triple digit temperatures right through Thursday. Kansas City close to that, Memphis, you will hit 100 likely by Thursday. 100 degree readings are expected for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Atlanta not as hot but still hotter than normal for this time of year.
So, Max, we're dealing with hot temperatures, it's not really that surprising in July, but these numbers are at least 5 to 10 degrees above normal. Won't break any records, but again, it could be dangerous.
FOSTER: Yes, at least people are prepared now. Gene, thank you very much indeed For Joining Us from the Weather Center.
And thank you for joining me mere on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster in London. "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett is next here on CNN. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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