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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Details on Dallas Police Shooter; Rallies, Protesters Clash with Police in Minnesota; Protests and Prayer in D.C. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired July 11, 2016 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:31:07] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Disturbing new information this morning on the gunman who killed five police officers in Dallas. Was he plotting an even bigger attack?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Police and protesters facing off across the country. Hundreds arrested, officers injured as demonstrators reveal a deepening divide over race and police practices.

Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman.

KOSIK: Good morning. I'm Alison Kosik. It's 30 minutes pas the hour.

And there are new details this morning on the killer who murdered five police officers in Dallas. Officials say the gunman acted alone and that he had been practicing his attack for months. Dallas Police Chief David Brown telling CNN that he believes the shooter had an even bigger, deadlier assault planned for the city.

Chief Brown also revealing disturbing details about the hours long standoff with the gunman. The chief describing the killer as obviously delusional, singing to himself, even writing messages on the wall in his own blood.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has more now from Dallas.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, in the CNN interview with the Dallas police chief, David Brown provided some of the most chilling and descriptive details of the standoff in the tragic shooting from last Thursday night. The chief says that after the shooting erupted his officers started following Micah Johnson inside the El Centro College building, at one point following him through a stairwell before he was cornered inside the second floor of a building there leading to that multi-hour standoff.

The chief says that Johnson wrote on the ground or on a wall with his own blood, the initials -- the initials R.B. And investigators are still trying to figure out what that is a reference to. They haven't figured that out yet. There was also some other writing that he had left in his own blood as well.

And then the police chief also says that Johnson requested that he would only speak with a black negotiator there at the scene. All of this while Micah Johnson continued to fire rounds of shots at the officers who were there inside the scene.

The police chief describes Micah Johnson as someone who was very much under control, yet delusional at times, singing and laughing at the officers, asking about how many of the officers he had been able to kill throughout all of that scene.

And the police chief also says that there is clear evidence that Micah Johnson was mounting an arsenal and perhaps had an even bigger planned attack but for some reason switched and decided to make his attack last Thursday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF DAVID BROWN, DALLAS POLICE: It appears that our search of this suspect's home in Mesquite leads us to believe, based on evidence of bomb-making materials and a journal, that the suspect had been practicing explosive detonations and that the materials was such that it was large enough to have devastating effects throughout our city and our north Texas area.

We're convinced that this suspect had other plans and thought that what he was doing was righteous and believed that he was going to make law enforcement and target law enforcement, make us pay for what he sees as law enforcement's efforts to punish people of color.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Those are some of the details revealed by the police chief in an extraordinary interview with CNN -- John and Alison.

BERMAN: All right, Ed.

President Obama and former President George W. Bush will be in Dallas on Tuesday to speak in an interfaith memorial service for the slain officers. President Obama cut short a European trip to be in Dallas. He will also meet with the families of the fallen officers. Before leaving Spain on Sunday the president condemned attacks on police officers, physical or verbal, as a disservice to the cause of criminal justice reform.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[04:35:04] BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First of all, any violence directed at police officers is a reprehensible crime and needs to be prosecuted. But, even rhetorically, if we paint police in broad brush, without recognizing that the vast majority of police officers are doing a really good job and are trying to protect people and do so fairly and without racial bias, if our rhetoric does not recognize that then we're going to lose allies in the reform cause.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: The five officers killed last Thursday included military veterans, fathers, and newlyweds. 43-year-old Brent Thompson was a seven-year veteran of the Public Transit Police Force. He was married just two weeks ago. Forty-year-old Michael Krol whose family says his lifelong dream was to become a police officer. Lorne Ahrens started out as a sheriff's dispatcher in Los Angeles before moving to Dallas to become a police officer 14 years ago. 55-year-old Officer Michael Smith, Army veteran and father of two girls who friends say did his best to keep his home and work life completely separate.

And Dallas Officer Patrick Zamarripa, a Navy veteran and father of two. Zamarripa's mother and his sister spoke to CNN's Rafael Romo, describing their initial shock on hearing the terrible news.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VALERIE ZAMARRIPA, OFC. PATRICK ZAMARRIPA'S MOTHER: I screamed. I said no. No, not my baby. Not my Patrick. They told me, yes, that it was him. But it can't be.

LAURA ZAMARRIPA, OFC. PATRICK ZAMARRIPA'S SISTER: Yes, he survived three deployments and then to come home and happened at home, but -- I mean, my brother loved his country and community. So I guess this is his way of showing -- I just can't wrap my mind around it. It's just so unreal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: They all gave their lives to protect others.

One challenge faced by police during the attack was trying to find the shooter among the dozens of protesters who showed up carrying AR-15s and other military-style rifles. All perfectly legal under Texas' Open Carry Law. The Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says he would support a change to the law restricting people's right to carry rifles and shotguns in public.

BERMAN: Breaking overnight, protests in Baton Rouge are growing larger and more violent six days after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. Forty-eight demonstrators were arrested last night for blocking streets and throwing chunks of concrete at police in riot gear. None of the officers were hurt last night. More than 130 protesters in Baton Rouge have been arrested since Sterling's death.

KOSIK: The most violent protests over the weekend happening in Minnesota where demonstrators trying to shut down an interstate clashed with police, leaving 21 officers injured and more than 100 protesters under arrest. This just miles from the place where Philando Castile was shot and killed by police during a traffic stop.

CNN's Rosa Flores has more for us from St. Paul.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, for the most part, this is what protests have been like here in Minnesota after the death of Philando Castile. Very peaceful. People just coming together to express their concerns because of officer-involved shootings. Now all of that changed overnight. Twenty-one police officers were injured, according to authorities, and 102 protesters were arrested.

Now here is how the situation escalated. There were multiple protests happening at the same time. Now the situation escalated overnight when, we're told by the police, that protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police officers, rocks, pieces of rebar, pieces of concrete. Now that injured multiple police officers from what we're told. Those are non-life threatening injuries and they're expected to be OK, but as you might imagine, community leaders here are very concerned. Here is what the police chief had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TODD AXTELL, ST. PAUL POLICE CHIEF: We had 21 police officers last night that were injured as a result of rocks, bottles, rebar, Molotov cocktails, and other items that were thrown at our public servants, and it's a -- I just can't believe that this occurred.

[04:40:11] This is something that just doesn't happen in St. Paul.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: Now protesters have been demonstrating in front of the governor's mansion since the killing of Philando Castile. They're asking for justice for Philando Castile. Now we know that the governor is also asking for the U.S. DOJ to get involved to have a separate investigation, other than the one that is being held by the state agency.

Now the latest that we know from the U.S. DOJ is that they are monitoring and assisting the state -- John, Alison.

BERMAN: All right, Rosa.

Philando Castile's mother is pleading with protesters in Minnesota and again nationwide to keep things peaceful. Valerie Castile says her son would want it that way. She released a statement over the weekend saying, "When demonstrations become violent it disrespects my son and his memory. Philando was a man of peace and dignity."

Diamond Reynolds who live-streamed the aftermath of her fiance's fatal shooting called into a Dallas church service on Sunday to share her outrage in grief.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND REYNOLDS, GIRLFRIEND OF PHILANDO CASTILE: When the officer was scared, I heard it in his voice. And he was -- when I heard it in his voice, it instantly clicked to me that this was something that was much bigger than myself and Phil. And if I can change anything from that night, it was never to take that route because if we wouldn't have been in the wrong place in the wrong time, none of this would have happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KOSIK: In total, at least 300 people were arrested across the country this weekend protesting the deadly shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge. In Atlanta, a fourth straight night of demonstrations, thousands taking to the streets there with 10 arrests. Hundreds of protesters in New York marched through midtown Manhattan on Sunday. Demonstrators holdings signs demanding change.

To the nation's capital where thousands turning out for several marches including one outside the White House. Protesters there telling reporters, "I'm tired of being so sad." Over 20 arrests this weekend in Chicago, most of them Saturday night when demonstrators tried to disrupt a Taste of Chicago Festival. Several officers were hit by thrown bottles but there weren't any serious injuries.

BERMAN: Bernie Sanders and his supporters winning big as Democrats create their new party platform. This creating unity between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and a possible big event between the two of them in just days.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:47:03] BERMAN: With just a week to go before the Republican convention, getting a first look of first draft to the party's 2016 platform. It calls for better trade deals that, quote, "put America first," and in a major shift on gay marriage. Past demands for a constitutional amendments declaring marriage to be between one man and one woman have been dropped. They say the state should decide. Republican position on abortion remains unchanged with no exceptions for rape or incest. Exceptions favored by Donald Trump.

And listen to Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. One of the frontrunners to become Trump's running mate. He is breaking ranks with the party when it comes to a woman's right to choose.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. MICHAEL FLYNN (RET.), ADVISER, TRUMP CAMPAIGN: Abortion, I think it's a -- I think, for women, and these are difficult issues but I think women have to be able to choose what they -- you know, that's sort of a right of choice but I think that that's a -- that's a difficult legal decision that -- and I think that women are so important in that decision-making process.

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Same-sex marriage?

FLYNN: They are -- they are the ones that have to make the decision because they're the one that's -- the ones that are going to decide to bring up that child or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: All right. It's the moment many Democrats have been waiting for. It could come Tuesday with Bernie Sanders expected to formally endorse Hillary Clinton at an event in New Hampshire. This coming after the Democratic Platform Committee adopted some of Sanders' key positions. Democrats agreeing on a $15 per hour minimum wage. Punishing companies for greenhouse emissions and a government-run alternative to private health insurance. The so-called public option.

BERMAN: Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has suffered extensive second and third-degree burns on both legs and feet, and may miss the Republican National Convention next week. A spokesman for Abbott says the governor was vacationing with his family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, last week when he was scalded in an accident involving hot water. He was treated for several hours at a local hospital. No other details are being released.

KOSIK: Congress is expected to pass a bill to fight opioid drug abuse. The House and Senate negotiators finalizing an agreement last week setting the stage for lawmakers to approve the legislation and send it to President Obama for his signature. It would create or modify existing education, prevention and treatment programs, and put more life-saving anti-overdose drugs in the hands of first responders.

BERMAN: The prosecution resumes its case this morning. The latest trial of officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. Baltimore Police Lieutenant Brian Rice is the fourth of six officers charged in Gray's arrest and death to stand trial. The state is focused on Rice's rank claiming he was ultimately responsible for the safe transport of Gray who died a week after suffering a spinal injury while in a police van. Two Baltimore officers have been acquitted in the Gray case. Another was declared a mistrial. It was a hung jury. That trial, they're determining whether to take it back to court again.

KOSIK: All right. Calling all shoppers. Forget Cyber Monday.

[04:50:02] One of the biggest online shopping days happening Tuesday. Amazon's second Annual Prime Day starts tomorrow at 3:00 a.m. Eastern time. So set those alarms if you're that crazy. That's here in the U.S. and at midnight local time in nine other countries. It's offering more than 100,000 deals across all of its categories. It's only available to shoppers, though, with Amazon prime membership. But if you don't have one, you can sign up for a 30-day trial.

There are three kinds of deals with this whole event. There are Spotlight deals, there are the best of the day and there are featured until inventory runs out. There are Lightning deals. They only last a few hours. And then Prime Savings. That runs all day and are less likely to sell out.

Now Amazon started this event last year. It had its best sales ever on this day. But some customers, they were kind of outraged. They were unhappy with the quick sellouts. Others had a lot of complaints about the deals that were really hard to find on the site.

Amazon says it's improved both issues but it expects popular items like TVs to sell out fast. And a lot of other retailers are feeling the pressure of this day. I know Wal-Mart is offering free shipping all week. It's got Target and Banana Republic and other retailers offering big deals of their own. Good luck competing with Amazon.

BERMAN: You know how to avoid the sellouts? Wake up early tomorrow.

KOSIK: Exactly.

BERMAN: Say 3:00 or 4:00 and watch EARLY START and shop after you do that.

KOSIK: Yes. While you're shopping watch us. There you go.

BERMAN: All right. Millions in the Midwest facing the threat of severe thunderstorms today. Meteorologist Derek Van Dam has the latest.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: : Good morning, John and Alison.

(WEATHER REPORT)

VAN DAM: Back to you.

KOSIK: All right. Derek, thanks for that.

Smart homeowners are rushing to do one little thing and it could save them thousands of dollars. I want to tell you what that is when we get an EARLY START on your money next.

BERMAN: I want to find out if I'm one of these smart homeowners.

KOSIK: Let's see. What do you think it is?

BERMAN: I doubt it. I doubt it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:56:55] BERMAN: Calls for peace and justice echoing across the nation's Capitol in the wake of the police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota as well as the ambush of officers in Dallas. Washington residents took part in rallies, protests and prayer on Sunday. One gathering brought religious leaders and law enforcement community together.

CNN's Sherisse Pham was there.

SHERISSE PHAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Alison. Now this was the first Sunday following what has just been a horrific week for this nation and pastors had the difficult job not only of consoling their parishioners, but also offering them something of a way forward, and that's what this rally was really meant to do.

We talked to Reverend Howard John Wesley. He's the pastor of a historic Baptist church in nearby Virginia, the same church the Obamas have celebrated the last two Easters. And during his sermon he quoted from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s letter from a Birmingham jail. We asked him why and here's what he told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. HOWARD JOHN WESLEY, PASTOR, ALFRED STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: And I wanted our congregation to hear that what he wrote in 1963 is as real and relevant in 2016 as it was back then. And there's some real specific principles in there that brought us through civil rights that will also bring us through this moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHAM: Volunteers handed out pledge cards to everybody at this rally and I just want to read to you one of the pledges, something that organizers have highlighted as very important. It says, "I commit to express my support and appreciation for the sacrifices that most law enforcement officers make on my behalf."

So D.C. police leaders also spoke at this rally and this really did seem like an event -- an opportunity to bring two communities that are so divided just a little bit closer together -- John, Alison.

KOSIK: All right. Let's get an EARLY START on your money. We're watching Dow futures pointing solidly higher right now. We're seeing nice gains in European stock markets as well. Check out the jump in Tokyo. That came after Friday's strong U.S. jobs report and the election results there. We're seeing oil prices falling now trading below $45 a barrel.

The biggest tech IPO of the year is a company you may not even know about. It's called Line. And it's a rapidly growing messaging service and it features stickers which are basically like big emojis, which everybody seems to love when you text. There are new ones added every day. And users earn them from playing games and other activities. The app also lets customers avoid text message fees.

But Line is facing significant competition from Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat. The IPO coming amid ongoing volatility following the Brexit vote. So the $1.1 billion IPO is really going to be a big test for the tech sector. Line will begin trading in both New York and Tokyo later this week.

BERMAN: I have a hard time believing that the world actually needs these more emojis.

KOSIK: Well, apparently it's a thing. All those letters.

BERMAN: Wall Street is all abuzz about more emojis?

KOSIK: Sure, why not? All right.

BERMAN: No wonder like Bernie Sanders did well. No wonder like the battle against Wall Street was so successful.

KOSIK: You know, some people are just stamp out emojis. They say I will not answer emojis during my time.

BERMAN: I will support the candidate who -- you know, who pushes that.

KOSIK: All right. We're going to talk about mortgage rates next show.

BERMAN: Sorry.

KOSIK: EARLY START continues right now because people often pay attention about emojis.

BERMAN: Sorry.

KOSIK: EARLY START starts right now.

Protests rage across the country. Hundreds arrested demonstrating against deadly police shootings of black men.