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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Ebola Case in New York City; Hatchet Attack on NYPD Officers; Ottawa Gunman's Disturbing Past Revealed; Broncos Knock Off Chargers

Aired October 24, 2014 - 05:00   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight: Ebola in New York. The deadly virus now in the nation's biggest city. The patient had been on the subway, in a bowling alley with friends, just hours before the symptoms surfaced. Health worker and city officials now tracking his every move since returning from West Africa.

New York police on high alert this morning. Investigating possible links to terrorism after a man attacked officers with a hatchet.

New details this morning of the gunman who killed the Canadian soldier. His disturbing and troubling past exposed. Could this tragedy have been prevented?

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. A lot going on this morning.

I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is on assignment.

It's Friday, October 24th. Five a.m. in the East.

And the breaking news overnight: Ebola in New York. An American doctor who volunteered for Doctors Without Borders in begin any is in a New York hospital this morning with Ebola. Dr. Craig Spencer received a positive test Thursday night. That was after he was rushed by ambulance from his New York apartment into isolation at Bellevue Hospital here in New York.

Officials are now tracing his fairly extensive movements in the hour before the diagnosis, out in public a bowling alley, a park, a restaurant, a subway, a taxi.

Public officials held a news conference overnight in an effort to allay fears and to highlight what they describe is New York's world class public health system.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY: We want to start at the outset, there is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed. New Yorkers who have not been exposed to an infected person's bodily fluids are not at all at risk. GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D), NEW YORK: We have had a full, coordinated

effort that has been working, literally, night and day, coordinating city, state and federal resources, coordinating and drilling from airports to transportations, to subway stations, to ambulances, to hospitals. So, we are as ready as one could be for this circumstance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: CNN's Poppy Harlow is at Bellevue Hospital with the latest on the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Well, this is where the 33-year-old doctor Craig Spencer is being treated for Ebola, the first case of Ebola in New York City.

We know that he came to New York back from Guinea when he was working to save lives treating Ebola patient. He came here on October 17th. On the 21st, he began to feel sluggish, but that's all we're told.

And then on Thursday morning, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, he started to develop a significant fever, nausea, pain, fatigue, those symptoms of Ebola. That is when he immediately contacted authorities. He was transported by ambulance with full protective gear on the EMS workers here at the Bellevue. The premier hospital in this city, set to deal with any possible Ebola cases like this. We're told by the mayor of New York City it went smoothly. He was taken directly to isolation.

Some significant developments we can tell you about: officials say he was in direct contact with just four people. One of them his fiancee, two of them very close friends of his, all three of those people are in quarantine at this time.

Also in contact with an Uber cab driver who drove him at one point. They don't think the cab driver needs to be in isolation at this point.

We know as repeatedly as Wednesday evening he was out and about in New York City. He went bowling. We're also told he went to a public park to highline to a restaurant.

So, he's been out. He's not been in isolation. He has tried to stay at home in his apartment as much as possible. He is cooperating completely telling all of the officials everywhere he's been, who he's been in contact with.

They're also tracing his movements through his metro card because there are two priorities here. One, treat him, cure him, and save his life. The other priority to make sure that Ebola is contained and not spread in New York City.

The message from officials from the mayor of New York City to the governor of New York to New Yorkers is do not panic. You are safe. Saying the more you know the less you should panic. It's hard to contract Ebola. They want New Yorkers to know they can take the subway and they can proceed knowing the likelihood New Yorkers catching Ebola is slim at this hour -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Poppy Harlow, our thanks to you.

Panic helpful to no one.

How is the state responding to Ebola now? On "NEW DAY", New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will be there at 7:00 Eastern to discuss the state response.

Ebola also making the first appearance in a new different African nation. The confirmed case in a 2-year-old girl in Mali. The World Health Organization says she was bought there from neighboring Guinea after her father died. She's now in the hospital.

In Spain, five people are being monitored for possibly exposure to Ebola are out of a Madrid hospital there. A source there says they include a doctor, cleaning lady, and two beauty salon workers, and a friend of Ebola survivor are expected to be released in the coming days.

And a team from China heading to an Ebola hot spot. Fifteen specialists are expected to arrive in Liberia today from China to help build and operate Ebola treatment centers there.

All right. A huge new concern on a different subject for New York police this morning, a new terror fears. Major questions about an attack on a group of officers by a man with a hatchet. Surveillance video shows the man charging police with a weapon. Two were struck, one in critical condition today. He was hit in the head. The other officers shot and killed the attacker.

Police are investigating any possible links to terrorism. They have been on high alert for so called lone wolf attacks.

Let's get more from CNN's senior international correspondent, Jim Sciutto.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, this was a brazen attack in broad daylight in the streets of Queens, New York, in New York City. Four police officers, New York City police officers walking on the street, they had paused to take a photograph when this man came out, swinging a hatchet and attacked them. One of them hit in the arm, he was injured. Another man it in the back of the head, he is critically injured.

We're now learning new details about the attacker, identified by police as Zale Thompson, 32 years old. He had a criminal record in California, we're told. He was also discharged from the Navy for misconduct. But what is truly concerning police at this point is they looked at

his social media, his Facebook posts, postings on YouTube, and they found signals there that make them believe this is possibly tied to recent calls by extremist groups to attack members of law enforcement, soldiers, like those attacks we saw on Canada earlier this week.

And to demonstrate their concerned, New York City police have issued a bulletin to all police officers there, saying that they should a heightened level of awareness against random attacks like this one. This is a kind of attack that intelligence officials here have been telling me that they have been concerned for some time that this might happen. Of course, the problem is they're very difficult to prevent because they are lone wolf attacks. The attacker may not tell anybody else that he is planning it.

And as you saw here, just a hatchet, that's the only weapon he had, enough to attack, as we saw in Canada, the shooting on Wednesday had gun. But earlier in the week, it was a car, one of the attackers using a car to attack a Canadian soldier. Tremendous alert here in the U.S. for these kinds of attacks, as we saw in Canada as well -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Jim, our thanks to you.

We're learning more this morning about the gunman in Ottawa who shot a soldier at the capitol there before he himself was killed by a secure officer.

Thirty-two-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau had a long record of charges for petty crimes. He once told a court appointed psychiatrist that he wanted to go to prison, believing it was the only way to break his addiction to crack.

CNN's Ana Cabrera with more now on the shooter's past -- Ana.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, there has been a steady stream of people coming here to the National War Memorial to pay tribute and to honor the life of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the young soldier, just 24-years-old, who was shot and killed here on Wednesday.

And now, we're learning more about the man who killed Cirillo. He has been identified by Canadian authorities as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. He's an Islamic convert, we've learned. We now know he had online interactions with Islamic jihadists. But, apparently, he had a low profile.

He does have a criminal record involving drugs and violence and authorities had some suspicions about him, but he was not being investigated as someone who was a high risk. He was not among the 90 people classified as an important threat.

Now, Canadian investigators say he came to Ottawa on October 2nd. He was in the process of applying for a passport and had possible plans to go to Syria.

What prompted Wednesday's attack is unclear. But we've learned he fired two shots at Cirillo, hitting him in the back. He then got in his car and he drove to the parliament building.

We got a chance to see firsthand where he apparently burst through the doors. He ran right down the Hall of Honor, right next to where members of parliament, even the prime minister were caucusing. Gun shots rang out.

He eventually he stopped at the end of a hallway. He hid in an alcove, right behind an arch near the library. And that's when we're told the sergeant-at-arms, Kevin Vickers, reportedly grabbed a gun from his office, which is just around the corner, and then he crawled along the wall to get into a position to shoot, killing the gunman.

He is now being hailed a hero. Vickers, in fact, led the ceremonial parade down the Hall of Honor on Thursday. This is a daily ritual, we're told. And he was given a standing ovation by members of parliament to start their day.

Lawmakers here at the parliament building are telling us they are determined to move forward. They will not be stopped by fear. They want to act on courage and strength and have a steadfast resolve to ensure that the bad guy does not win -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Ana Cabrera for us in Ottawa, thanks so much.

U.S. politics now: a contentious debate in New Hampshire where Ebola took center stage between two candidates for U.S. Senate there. Republican Scott Brown on Thursday blasted the president's handling of Ebola in the United States as Democratic incumbent Jeanne Shaheen called for faith in the public health system.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BROWN (R-NH), U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE: We need to do a travel ban. I mean, it makes sense to do a travel ban. Anyone who has been in an infected country would come and obviously get screened.

SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D), NEW HAMPSHIRE: A travel ban -- if the experts tell us that's what we need to do and that's workable, I think that's what we should support. But I'm not willing to tell the experts that this is what we have to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: What you're really thinking.

Will it be nice thought weekend? There's one person with the answer and pretty picture of an eclipse. Indra Petersons is here.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I promise you. I said, don't look at the solar ellipse and I will show you a picture. And we're talking about Halloween, look how close to Halloween. This is pretty spooky looking, right? It looked like a chunk was literally missing out of the sun as it sets yesterday. The picture came in from (INAUDIBLE) "Gainesville Times" there.

So, beautiful shot. Let's talk about what wasn't so pretty. We talk about a lot of rain the nor'easter. Six inches of rain through Massachusetts, the same system is still out there but quickly exiting off. This is the key. It's the weekend it's only going up from here.

You can see the swirl it's a factor today, but again, slowly lifting out of the region hour by hour. Conditions only improve.

I think most of you are going to be feeling are the wind throughout. So, still gusting nothing like the 30 to 40 miles per hour wind we saw a few days ago, but about 20 miles per hour could be out there for another couple of hours. That's the east, improving on the east.

If you're going west keep in mind another 2 to 3 inches of rain is still possible through the Pacific Northwest. Showers on the West Coast. Otherwise, down to the South, this is the pattern. Temperatures are going to be rising as we go through the weekend. So you're going to feel heat in places like Oklahoma City. Talk about 90s, 20 degrees above average.

So, the middle section will be warming up. Just keep in mind, a little system in the northeast will cool us off by the second half of the weekend. But even as you cool off, you're going to be talking about temperatures still right around average. Not too bad. You can see the temperatures most of us enjoying a perfect Friday, even a perfect Saturday, temperatures above normal by Sunday. Yes, some of you will see the temperatures go down. You're still talking about arrow, that's what we're talking about this time of year.

BERMAN: That's a whole lot of perfect. We'll take that, Indra. Thanks so much.

All right. The big story this morning: the first case of Ebola in New York city. We'll have much more on the details there, including the movements that the doctor took in the hours before he was diagnosed.

Also, the battle for Kobani. New information, Kurdish fighters continue to press for control of the key city. New word there could be help on the way.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New help might be on the way for Kurdish forces trying to fight off ISIS in the Syrian city of Kobani. The president of Turkey claims he will allow 200 Iraqi Kurdish troops, the Peshmerga, to pass through Turkey, to aid in the battle to save the besieged city.

The Pentagon says U.S. jets conducted more air strikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, including four near Kobani that took out ISIS fighting positions, a vehicle, and command and control center. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is on the border right now.

And, Nick, any sign of those Iraqi reinforcements?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At this stage, no. And we're getting a mixed picture. Those in Kurdistan and northern Iraq, close to discussion, said they are technical, they are complex and they haven't yet yielded numbers or timings of who, how many, when will they actually turn up here in Kobani via Kurdish territory, those key Peshmerga fighters.

On a separate note, though, political leader to the Syrian Kurds inside Kobani, well, he was more optimistic, and saying they could be here in the next 24 hours or so or perhaps more days after that later. So, certainly a bit of uncertainty here and also he was clear when they arrived, there won't be ceremonial fanfare. They'll probably slip in at night and it will be announced afterwards.

But, today, below me with the Kurds say they are feeling confident. We are seeing over towards Tal Zeir (ph), the hill to the west what it looks like the occasional explosion, that is an area that the Kurds retook forcefully yesterday. They're saying 20 ISIS fighters were killed in clashes there and enormous coalition airstrikes. But the majority of fighting is to the east and south at this particular time of the city.

I have to say the tone in which the Kurds speak, they are increasingly confident about the fight here. But, clearly, those Peshmerga Iraqi Kurdish fighters and the heavy weaponry they'll bring with them badly needed still -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Nick Paton Walsh for us on the border, thanks so much.

Now, the FBI is sounding an alarm for news organizations about the threat to journalists from ISIS militants. Officials say they received credible information that members of an ISIS-linked terror group have been tasked with kidnapping journalists and taking them to Syria. They say ISIS supporters seeking to retaliate against the U.S. and its allies for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria have identified journalists in that region as desirable targets.

All right. Is there anything that Peyton Manning cannot do? Except win for Super Bowls than Tom Brady. He did lead the Broncos against the Chargers last night, days after setting a new epic touchdown record. So, how many new touchdowns did he add to his tally?

Brian McFayden with details in the "Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Peyton Manning became the NFL's all time passing touchdown leader last week. But did he stop there?

Brian McFayden tells us what he did last night against the Chargers in the "Bleacher Report". Good morning, Brian.

BRIAN MCFAYDEN, BLEACHER REPORT: Good morning, John.

Yes, we wanted to know if there would be a record-breaking hangover for Manning and the Broncos after Peyton passed Brett Favre as the NFL's touchdown king.

Sorry, Charges, Manning was on the game again. Even after only four days of rest, he threw three more touchdowns all three going to receiver Emanuel Sanders. Broncos get a huge divisional win over the Chargers, 35-21.

But late in the game, Peyton, he's not too happy, waving his arms looking he was upset at the noise they were making. He explained afterwards.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PEYTON MANNING, BRONCOS QUARTERBACK: I've got a problem with the score board operator. I have to have a talk with him. I don't -- I'm not sure what he's doing. He's, you know, playing music and showing people -- showing players dancing and getting fired up when we have the ball.

Our fans are great. Our fans are loud. So, it's the score board operators, one of his best nights.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCFAYDEN: Calling him out.

Game three of the World Series shifts to San Francisco tonight. Royals tied the series at a game apiece on Wednesday. The Kansas City crowd was a huge factor in game two. Now, it's San Francisco's turn. The Giants have been here before, winning the whole thing in 2012 and 2010. First pitch at TNT Park is 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

NBA superstar LeBron James once put Akron, Ohio, on the map. Now, he's returning to Cleveland for the 2014 season. Tonight, CNN has taken a look back at James' inspiring story in the documentary, "More Than A Game".

Earlier this year, CNN's Rachel Nichols spoke to LeBron about his humble beginnings, his giant future and his thoughts on the documentary.

Go ahead and watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: People who know you only know as the famous basketball players, what's the thing that they're going to learn the most about you from watching that documentary?

LEBRON JAMES, NBA PLAYER: That he's a loyal guy, to my friends, to my city, to people that I care for and understand I don't do what I do just because. And I hold that responsibility very high, usually when I was a team leader.

NICHOLS: Maybe give insight why you have returned to the area of Cleveland.

JAMES: And maybe, yes, for the people that don't quite know why would he leave sunny Florida to come back to the cold of Ohio, the documentary will give you some insight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCFAYDEN: "More Than A Game" will air on CNN tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern -- John.

BERMAN: Look forward to seeing that.

I feel badly for the score board operator, you know, Peyton Manning goes seriously negative on a dude running a score board.

MCFAYDEN: He got called out. Do your job, man.

BERMAN: All right. Brian, thanks so much. Good to see you.

MCFAYDEN: Good to see you, too.

BERMAN: Twenty-five minutes after the hour.

New York City now with its first confirmed case of Ebola. A doctor returning from Africa tests positive for the deadly virus. Just a day after he rode the subway, went to a bowling alley, was at a restaurant. We'll have the very latest, coming up.

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