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CNN Live Today

Barrage of Gunfire in Compton; Bush Commemorates V.E. Day in Moscow

Aired May 09, 2005 - 10:00   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This hour in Washington, as we look at live pictures, an independent commission holding a news conference on the closure of U.S. military bases abroad. Congress appointed the Overseas Basing Commission to assess whether foreign-based facilities should be closed, realigned or established in new areas. Tomorrow, they'll release those recommendations.
A natural survey shows gas prices have slid about three-cents a gallon over the past two weeks. For the month that means a drop of about 7.5 cents a gallon. The Lundberg survey says the national average is now $2.21 a gallon of self-serve regular.

Good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's go ahead and get our week started.

We're going to start in Southern California. The gunshots fading, the questions though echoing in a troubled L.A. neighborhood. We begin in a gang-ridden neighborhood of Compton. Today it's the county sheriff's department that is facing questions and here is why.

(GUNFIRE)

As you can hear, dozens of shots were fired. The suspect was wounded, and the deputy was injured in the crossfire. Some neighbors have shown apparent bullet holes in their windows.

Joining us right now on the telephone, Deputy Brian Lendman of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy, thanks for being with us.

DEP. BRIAN LENDMAN, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: My pleasure. Good morning.

KAGAN: Could you tell us what led to this? Was it a high-speed chase, a police chase? What was going on?

LENDMAN: Shortly after midnight this morning, deputies from the Compton station received a shots fired call in the 600-block of South Butler Avenue in the city of Compton. They responded -- the responding deputies had been given information that the suspect vehicle was a white sport utility vehicle. As they approached the location they did see a vehicle matching that description, driving away from the location. They attempted to affect a traffic stop of the vehicle, at which time the driver failed and refused to yield to the deputy's traffic stops. A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated. On my indication it wasn't a high very speed pursuit, just through the neighboring streets of Compton. The pursuit wound its way back and eventually terminated back on the original street of Butler Avenue. And at the termination of the pursuit, the deputy involved in the shooting occurred during which one of our deputies was struck by gunfire.

KAGAN: Deputy, let me jump in here for a second because we've seen any number of police chases in Southern California, but I can't remember one that we've seen leading to this much gunfire. And the information we're receiving is the suspect did not fire. So how did it end up turning into this?

LENDMAN: At this point in the investigation, our homicide investigators are out there, trying to determine exactly what happened, and what led to the shooting. At this early point in the investigation, I'm really not at liberty to make any type of comment on the particular shooting. As I said it is very early in the investigation, and we want to make sure that we cover all of our bases, talk to anyone that may have seen what happened, talk to all the deputies that were involved. And then our homicide investigator can make a determination exactly what happened.

KAGAN: OK. You say homicide investigators. Nobody was killed though. The person who was being pursued, he was shot and a deputy was shot. But...

LENDMAN: Right.

KAGAN: ... no other casualty at this point?

LENDMAN: No, the fact that our homicide bureau is investigating doesn't necessarily mean that anyone was killed. That is just our policy when there is an injury that results that happens as a result of gunfire. Our homicide bureau is the handling bureau for that incident.

KAGAN: All right. We'll certainly be looking to get more information on what happened there last night in Compton. Deputy Brian Lendman joining from us the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, thank you, Deputy.

We move overseas now to Iraq. Insurgents on the attack and being attacked. First in Baghdad, a suicide car bomb exploded at a police checkpoint. At least four people were killed there; two police, two civilians eight other people were wounded.

There's a new offensive under way in western Iraq. U.S. forces are trying to clear an area that is described as a route for both smugglers and foreign fighters. Colonel Bob Chase is operations officer for the 2-Marine Division. And he is joining us on the phone from Iraq.

Colonel, hello. Thank you for being with us.

COL. BOB CHASE, OPS. MGR, 2-MARINE DIVISION: Good morning. Thank you.

KAGAN: Can you tell us about the new focus or increased focus on the border between Iraq and Syria?

CHASE: It's, quite frankly, it's been a continuing focus. We've known for a long time that there has been insurgent movement across the borders. And moving toward west to east, going to push foreign fighters, equipment and materials both to the larger cities in the north and in the east of Iraq.

On or about the eighth, we went ahead and commenced an operation. Elements of the 2-Division, under Regimental Combat Team 2, began conducting operations out here to disrupt what has been essentially a safe haven for the insurgents, and re-supply points for the insurgents. And we've started to do, targeted attacks against them, early on the eighth.

KAGAN: And in what -- from the air -- so we're seeing more air attacks than we have recently.

CHASE: This is, as you know for the Marines, we do everything as a combined arms/air/ground task force. This can comprise of ground forces from Regimental Combat Team 2, 2-Marine wing aircraft are both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, along with tanks, light armored vehicles that are moving today in a combined arms move. We are attacking and destroying the enemy in(AUDIO GAP)

KAGAN: The insurgent violence in the last 10 days since the new government was sworn in, the new cabinet, has increased dramatically. More than 300 people have been killed. Has this not changed in tactic but this focus that you're talking about, is it a reaction to that? Or was it already in the planning stages?

CHASE: Certainly from our perspective, this was not a change. We have seen, despite the reports that you're getting, we are seeing a significant atmospheric here in the al Anbar Province, where the people are starting to be frustrated with these insurgents and with these foreign fighters, are reporting their locations to us. Are telling us where they are.

They are talking to the Iraqi security forces that have been joining us at a rapid rate here. And what we are seeing is this was a planned operation to continue, basically taking away known safe havens, and we continue to do that now.

KAGAN: All right. We wish you well in your work. Colonel, thank you. Colonel Bob Chase from the U.S. Marine Corps calling in Iraq.

The two Americans who were killed in a Baghdad car bombing over the weekend have been identified. A total of 22 people were killed in the attack on an SUV convoy. Both Americans provided security for private companies working in Iraq. Bannon James Thomas was from Salt Lake City, Utah. Todd James Linette from White Hall, Arkansas. Linette had also served with the Marines. Thomas was with the National Guard. To Afghanistan now, where two U.S. Marines have been killed in a firefight. The five-hour battle with insurgents happened Sunday near the city of Jalalabad. A Marine unit had received intelligence that insurgents were operating in the area. The Marines were backed by U.S. warplanes. The military says at least two insurgents are confirmed dead in the fighting, and up to 21 others may have been killed.

And now to the most wanted man in Afghanistan. They think he's in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, nearly four years after the U.S. military went into Afghanistan with orders to hunt him down, he is still at large. Now we're hearing from a former CIA agent who was tracking bin Laden. He reveals the unusual orders he received from the head of the U.S. Counter Terrorism Unit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARY SCHROEN, FORMER CIA INSPECTOR: He did ask that we, once we got bin Laden and killed him that we bring his head. Send his head back in a cardboard box on dry ice so that he can take it down and show the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The former agent says bin Laden has made a mockery of U.S. efforts to catch him.

Let's check in on President Bush. Mr. Bush was at Russian President Vladimir Putin's special guest at today's Red Square. The event was part of ceremonies marking the 60-anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty joins us with more on the V.E. Day celebration -- Jill.

JILL DOUGHTERY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Daryn, you know, there have been a lot of parades on Red Square over the years. But this has to be one of the most historic and one of the most interesting. In many ways, the 60-anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, and all of those veterans. There are still quite a few of them left, many in their 80s and 2,500 of them were on trucks as they went across Red Square. There were another 2,500 in the stands, watching, as they went by.

This was in honor of them. And it was in honor of the civilians who died in Russia during World War II. Twenty-seven million people in full, and most of them were civilians.

And in the crowd, in the stands, I should say, watching this parade, the leaders of 53 different countries, including the three countries that 60 years ago were actually considered the enemy: Germany, Japan and Italy, in those stands and now united with other countries.

The German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, actually had a newspaper article, an open letter in which he apologized, asked for forgiveness for what Germany had done to the Russian people.

And as you mentioned, President Bush, he was here, in fact, sitting right next to Vladimir Putin. Spending most of the day with Mr. Putin, in fact, talking in English. Mr. Putin has been working on his English. And now, a lot of the differences that they have had over the past couple of months on democracy, at least today they were put aside in honor of this big celebration.

But today, Mr. Bush is already on his way to the last stop on this trip, and that is to Tblisi, Georgia. Remember that is where the Rose Revolution took place. And that sparked at least two other revolutions in this part of the world. It's not something that President Putin thinks is very good. So that discussion, and you could call it really a debate sometimes about democracy, is going to continue --Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Jill Dougherty live in Russia.

A lot of other news taking place today. CNN's chief national correspondent John King also in Moscow traveling with the president. Earlier this morning, he sat down for a one on one interview with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. One of the main topics, the growing nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: Their obligation is to dismantle their nuclear weapons program, as a means by which to enter the international community. And to receive from the international community the benefits that would help them economically and the like. And so any activity that might be aimed at escalation is obviously not going to help their cause.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: You can see that entire interview, less than two hours from now on "NEWS WITH CNN" with Wolf Blitzer at 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.

Another interview to tell you about. This one with CBS' "60 Minutes" president. Putin suggested the Russian election system may be even more democratic than America's. Mr. Putin contrasted the U.S. Electoral College with Russia's direct vote for president. On CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," White House aide Dan Bartlett suggested different democracies aren't necessarily a bad thing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: We also recognize and President Bush recognizes that Russia's development into a strong democracy will take a very Russian flavor. That is not going to be an American democracy. It will have its own traits and its own designs and we fully recognize that. But what President Bush is stressing is that all democracies have some things in common: a transparent government, rule of law, a free media. Those are things that are universal. And that's why President Bush feels strongly about discussing these issues with President Putin. And I must say that President Putin himself recognizes that. They have come a long way in this country. And he, himself, recognizes that more progress needs to be done. And we stand ready to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And we have an opportunity now to get more information on our lead story out of Southern California; that police chase that ended in a barrage of gunfire. We want to go to one of our affiliate reporters, Bob Decastro with affiliate KTTV, live now from Compton.

Bob, what can you tell us?

BOB DECASTRO, KTTV CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, we're just a few blocks away from the scene. It's on Butler Avenue; this is Alondra Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Compton, California. They just opened this street up but it was been closed down for several hours, as they were collecting bullet casings from the street. They are just littered all over the place. Again, a barrage of gunfire.

This happened just before midnight, when sheriff's deputy deputies in here L.A. County were responding to a shooting in Compton. And they tried to pull over a suspect driving a white SUV. He didn't stop. There was about a 10-minute chase. The suspect drives down this street and then deputies boxed him in with cars. He's corners. And according to sheriff's deputies he goes berserk. He begins to hop the curbs, ramming cars, accelerating and then bullets fly.

The chase then brought to a halt. The suspect was taken out of the SUV. He was cuffed. We understand he was shot, but is in stable condition in the hospital. We don't know what charges he may face. And the deputy was hurt, shot in this crossfire, shot in a bulletproof vest but is in good condition n the hospital.

Again, there are a lot of bullet casings here. So forensic teams will spend the next several hours pulling those casings. And again, we don't know if the suspect was armed. But he has been taken to the hospital and we understand is in stable condition.

That's latest from Los Angeles. Bob Decastro. We'll send it back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob, any kind of community reaction? I'm sure this is the last thing people want to see happen in their front yard.

DECASTRO: Yes, absolutely. You know, this happened just before midnight. Compton, California, which has been struggling with a lot of crime here. So imagine that, you know, with this many bullets that were flying, there was a lot of people who were unnerved. But this street is a very busy street, a business area. So not a lot of homes in this area.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Decastro from our affiliate KTTV, thanks for the additional information.

Other breaking news to tell you about. This is coming to you from Liberty, Missouri. A school bus crash involving a number of students. Also apparently a couple of other vehicles are involved here. Sketchy information, even though we have these live pictures.

This is what we know. This is just outside of Kansas City, Missouri; television reports talking abut this school bus on its side. If you're familiar with the area, it's at the intersections of Highways 291 and 152. As we watch this, police so far are not commenting on the extent of the injuries. But as you see from the live picture, courtesy of our affiliate WDAF, school bus on its side. Apparently a couple other vehicles involved in that. We will work on getting additional information on the status of those students.

Also still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, nasty weather prompting a terrifying ordeal for two sailors strand at sea. We're going to hear from one of the men coming up next.

Plus, after more than two decades, new technology leads to a new look at the Atlanta child murders case.

And later, before you enroll your children for the next school year, you might want to think twice about where they're getting their education. A look at the nation's top 100 public high schools when CNN LIVE TODAY rolls on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Pictures from off the coast of North Carolina, a rescue at sea. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter plucked two men from their sailboat after hurricane-force winds slammed into the outer banks. The boat also hammered by seas towering several feet high.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBER CUMMINGS, SAILBOAT OWNER: Within 20 minutes we had to just, you know, pull in all the sails. And we were just trying to ride the storm out. We were tethered to the boat. And the seas had gotten up to 40 feet and one big wave we didn't see just came and knocked the boat over. We had a knockdown and ejected us from the cockpit. Luckily he were tethered in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The men ended up jumping into the sea where a Coast Guard swimmer helped hoist them to safety.

Talking about raising kids, it can be difficult, especially if you have triplets with major health challenges. Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, the inspiring story of a truly amazing mother and her tiny miracles.

Plus, Gerri Willis is here talking about the prom.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, Daryn. Good to see you. You may have the hot date, but not the cold cash. We'll save you from financial heartbreak when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We want to show you more live pictures. We're getting some more information about what's taking place in Liberty, Missouri. This is just northeast of Kansas City, Missouri. A school bus crash. The numbers we're getting in now, about 30 or more children injured in this crash. Earlier reports say that people on the scene believe it's elementary school children, but not exactly sure which school they were going to. They brought in two air ambulances and a number of ground ambulances to transport children to the hospital.

Now, besides the school bus as the camera pans around there, you're going to see two cars. A black car and red car there to the left part what have we can see on the screen right now, very badly damaged. And it appears they were involved in this accident as well. No word on exactly the severity of the injuries or who was at fault. But we'll continue to follow that story out of Liberty, Missouri.

All right, go down memory lane now. Time for teenage dreams and a little bit of lost sleep for parents. Prom night, the social event of high school and typically the most costly as well. "Teen People" magazine says this year's price tag will be the highest ever.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis joins us with her "Top 5 Tips," pairing down the costs.

Gerri, we were out Saturday night here in Atlanta, it was huge prom night. They were everywhere.

WILLIS: Really? And I'm telling you they spend so much money, $1,200 on average. Which seems like a ridiculous amount of money to me. Anyway, some it you can't help but spend. The tickets alone cost $140. It's the clothes though, that really put you in the red on your budget.

If you're a fellow and you're having to rent a tux, you'll probably spend about $170. But look, why not get your friends together, just wear dressy suits. And maybe you all get some funny silly loud ties. The girls will think you're a lot of fun. And maybe it will be something different prom night.

If you're a girl, and you're looking for the dress, the perfect dress, look at these young women checking out these dresses. Why not have a dress swap? You know, in high school you go to all kinds of events: homecoming, spring fling, semi formals. Why not swap the dresses, save a little dough?

KAGAN: I couldn't believe some of the dresses I saw Saturday night. It looked like when I covered the Oscars on the red carpet. Amazing how some of these girls are dressed.

WILLIS: Well, that's what where they're getting all their ideas.

KAGAN: Oh. OK. Well, let's talk about group rates. That's another way you might be able to save some money. WILLIS: Well, you know, it's all about the hair and makeup. And that takes a lot of money, too. One good idea, go to your local salon and ask for a group rate. Get the friends together. Go together. You can actually get a discount if you're willing to negotiate.

KAGAN: Start some new traditions. Say good-bye to the costly old ones.

WILLIS: Yes. I'm telling you, the boutonniere, who cares about the boutonniere?

KAGAN: I didn't see a lot of boutonnieres out Saturday night.

WILLIS: Oh, well. That's good to hear. You can save money on things that are considered traditional and invent some new traditions that might be less expensive. Like, why not rip the prom 2005 CD? That something you'd remember more than the orchid on your shoulder, I think. Anyway, another thing to do. A lot of people go out to dinner that night. Why not have a barbecue in the backyard instead? Print up t-shirts and say something like my "prom dress survived the 2005 prom barbecue." I think you have to be creative here. Think of different ways to save money and to have fun at the same time.

KAGAN: Your next tip has to do with transportation, limousines. I saw a lot of different types of transportation Saturday night.

WILLIS: Limos. What else, Daryn?

KAGAN: Stretch limos, but like Hummers. I saw converted school bus, all different types of things going on.

WILLIS: Well, the school bus is actually a great idea, because you can really save money like that. A limo typically costs about $150 an hour. So if you're out for six hours, I mean do the math. Think about a trolley, maybe renting an RV would be a good substitute if they'll both save you money in the long run. Gorving.com, cruiseamerica.com, two great places to get some ideas for RV.

KAGAN: And finally, get some other folks to pitch in.

WILLIS: Yes, you know. Relive your prom. If you have kids that are doing prom night, maybe you want to donate some goods to the after-party. That's always a great way to get involved. And think about the Princess Project, that's where you can donate dresses that others can wear. Save somebody a little money out there. I'm telling you, you're going to have college to pay for. You know what I mean?

KAGAN: OK. Relive yours. Who did you go with?

WILLIS: Who did I go with? I went with a friend of mine in a fabulous dress.

KAGAN: Oh, come on! Give the name.

WILLIS: Gosh, Daryn, it's been a long time. You know what I mean? Can you remember your prom date? KAGAN: Yes. Gary Shapiro.

WILLIS: I bet Gary's smiling really pretty right about now.

KAGAN: I hope so. Hi, Gary.

KAGAN: We'll get back to you on your prom date. You're not off the hook.

WILLIS: Oh. OK. All right.

KAGAN: We'll get back to you on that. All right. Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: All right. It is the day after Mother's Day and we're still talking about special moms. Still to come, she calls them her "little miracles." We'll tell you about the daily struggles of one mom who celebrates feeding time as a major accomplishment.

Plus, reopening a case that's more than 25 years old. Hear from the attorney of the man convicted in the Atlanta child murders.

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Aired May 9, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This hour in Washington, as we look at live pictures, an independent commission holding a news conference on the closure of U.S. military bases abroad. Congress appointed the Overseas Basing Commission to assess whether foreign-based facilities should be closed, realigned or established in new areas. Tomorrow, they'll release those recommendations.
A natural survey shows gas prices have slid about three-cents a gallon over the past two weeks. For the month that means a drop of about 7.5 cents a gallon. The Lundberg survey says the national average is now $2.21 a gallon of self-serve regular.

Good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's go ahead and get our week started.

We're going to start in Southern California. The gunshots fading, the questions though echoing in a troubled L.A. neighborhood. We begin in a gang-ridden neighborhood of Compton. Today it's the county sheriff's department that is facing questions and here is why.

(GUNFIRE)

As you can hear, dozens of shots were fired. The suspect was wounded, and the deputy was injured in the crossfire. Some neighbors have shown apparent bullet holes in their windows.

Joining us right now on the telephone, Deputy Brian Lendman of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy, thanks for being with us.

DEP. BRIAN LENDMAN, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: My pleasure. Good morning.

KAGAN: Could you tell us what led to this? Was it a high-speed chase, a police chase? What was going on?

LENDMAN: Shortly after midnight this morning, deputies from the Compton station received a shots fired call in the 600-block of South Butler Avenue in the city of Compton. They responded -- the responding deputies had been given information that the suspect vehicle was a white sport utility vehicle. As they approached the location they did see a vehicle matching that description, driving away from the location. They attempted to affect a traffic stop of the vehicle, at which time the driver failed and refused to yield to the deputy's traffic stops. A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated. On my indication it wasn't a high very speed pursuit, just through the neighboring streets of Compton. The pursuit wound its way back and eventually terminated back on the original street of Butler Avenue. And at the termination of the pursuit, the deputy involved in the shooting occurred during which one of our deputies was struck by gunfire.

KAGAN: Deputy, let me jump in here for a second because we've seen any number of police chases in Southern California, but I can't remember one that we've seen leading to this much gunfire. And the information we're receiving is the suspect did not fire. So how did it end up turning into this?

LENDMAN: At this point in the investigation, our homicide investigators are out there, trying to determine exactly what happened, and what led to the shooting. At this early point in the investigation, I'm really not at liberty to make any type of comment on the particular shooting. As I said it is very early in the investigation, and we want to make sure that we cover all of our bases, talk to anyone that may have seen what happened, talk to all the deputies that were involved. And then our homicide investigator can make a determination exactly what happened.

KAGAN: OK. You say homicide investigators. Nobody was killed though. The person who was being pursued, he was shot and a deputy was shot. But...

LENDMAN: Right.

KAGAN: ... no other casualty at this point?

LENDMAN: No, the fact that our homicide bureau is investigating doesn't necessarily mean that anyone was killed. That is just our policy when there is an injury that results that happens as a result of gunfire. Our homicide bureau is the handling bureau for that incident.

KAGAN: All right. We'll certainly be looking to get more information on what happened there last night in Compton. Deputy Brian Lendman joining from us the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, thank you, Deputy.

We move overseas now to Iraq. Insurgents on the attack and being attacked. First in Baghdad, a suicide car bomb exploded at a police checkpoint. At least four people were killed there; two police, two civilians eight other people were wounded.

There's a new offensive under way in western Iraq. U.S. forces are trying to clear an area that is described as a route for both smugglers and foreign fighters. Colonel Bob Chase is operations officer for the 2-Marine Division. And he is joining us on the phone from Iraq.

Colonel, hello. Thank you for being with us.

COL. BOB CHASE, OPS. MGR, 2-MARINE DIVISION: Good morning. Thank you.

KAGAN: Can you tell us about the new focus or increased focus on the border between Iraq and Syria?

CHASE: It's, quite frankly, it's been a continuing focus. We've known for a long time that there has been insurgent movement across the borders. And moving toward west to east, going to push foreign fighters, equipment and materials both to the larger cities in the north and in the east of Iraq.

On or about the eighth, we went ahead and commenced an operation. Elements of the 2-Division, under Regimental Combat Team 2, began conducting operations out here to disrupt what has been essentially a safe haven for the insurgents, and re-supply points for the insurgents. And we've started to do, targeted attacks against them, early on the eighth.

KAGAN: And in what -- from the air -- so we're seeing more air attacks than we have recently.

CHASE: This is, as you know for the Marines, we do everything as a combined arms/air/ground task force. This can comprise of ground forces from Regimental Combat Team 2, 2-Marine wing aircraft are both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, along with tanks, light armored vehicles that are moving today in a combined arms move. We are attacking and destroying the enemy in(AUDIO GAP)

KAGAN: The insurgent violence in the last 10 days since the new government was sworn in, the new cabinet, has increased dramatically. More than 300 people have been killed. Has this not changed in tactic but this focus that you're talking about, is it a reaction to that? Or was it already in the planning stages?

CHASE: Certainly from our perspective, this was not a change. We have seen, despite the reports that you're getting, we are seeing a significant atmospheric here in the al Anbar Province, where the people are starting to be frustrated with these insurgents and with these foreign fighters, are reporting their locations to us. Are telling us where they are.

They are talking to the Iraqi security forces that have been joining us at a rapid rate here. And what we are seeing is this was a planned operation to continue, basically taking away known safe havens, and we continue to do that now.

KAGAN: All right. We wish you well in your work. Colonel, thank you. Colonel Bob Chase from the U.S. Marine Corps calling in Iraq.

The two Americans who were killed in a Baghdad car bombing over the weekend have been identified. A total of 22 people were killed in the attack on an SUV convoy. Both Americans provided security for private companies working in Iraq. Bannon James Thomas was from Salt Lake City, Utah. Todd James Linette from White Hall, Arkansas. Linette had also served with the Marines. Thomas was with the National Guard. To Afghanistan now, where two U.S. Marines have been killed in a firefight. The five-hour battle with insurgents happened Sunday near the city of Jalalabad. A Marine unit had received intelligence that insurgents were operating in the area. The Marines were backed by U.S. warplanes. The military says at least two insurgents are confirmed dead in the fighting, and up to 21 others may have been killed.

And now to the most wanted man in Afghanistan. They think he's in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, nearly four years after the U.S. military went into Afghanistan with orders to hunt him down, he is still at large. Now we're hearing from a former CIA agent who was tracking bin Laden. He reveals the unusual orders he received from the head of the U.S. Counter Terrorism Unit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARY SCHROEN, FORMER CIA INSPECTOR: He did ask that we, once we got bin Laden and killed him that we bring his head. Send his head back in a cardboard box on dry ice so that he can take it down and show the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The former agent says bin Laden has made a mockery of U.S. efforts to catch him.

Let's check in on President Bush. Mr. Bush was at Russian President Vladimir Putin's special guest at today's Red Square. The event was part of ceremonies marking the 60-anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty joins us with more on the V.E. Day celebration -- Jill.

JILL DOUGHTERY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Daryn, you know, there have been a lot of parades on Red Square over the years. But this has to be one of the most historic and one of the most interesting. In many ways, the 60-anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, and all of those veterans. There are still quite a few of them left, many in their 80s and 2,500 of them were on trucks as they went across Red Square. There were another 2,500 in the stands, watching, as they went by.

This was in honor of them. And it was in honor of the civilians who died in Russia during World War II. Twenty-seven million people in full, and most of them were civilians.

And in the crowd, in the stands, I should say, watching this parade, the leaders of 53 different countries, including the three countries that 60 years ago were actually considered the enemy: Germany, Japan and Italy, in those stands and now united with other countries.

The German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, actually had a newspaper article, an open letter in which he apologized, asked for forgiveness for what Germany had done to the Russian people.

And as you mentioned, President Bush, he was here, in fact, sitting right next to Vladimir Putin. Spending most of the day with Mr. Putin, in fact, talking in English. Mr. Putin has been working on his English. And now, a lot of the differences that they have had over the past couple of months on democracy, at least today they were put aside in honor of this big celebration.

But today, Mr. Bush is already on his way to the last stop on this trip, and that is to Tblisi, Georgia. Remember that is where the Rose Revolution took place. And that sparked at least two other revolutions in this part of the world. It's not something that President Putin thinks is very good. So that discussion, and you could call it really a debate sometimes about democracy, is going to continue --Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Jill Dougherty live in Russia.

A lot of other news taking place today. CNN's chief national correspondent John King also in Moscow traveling with the president. Earlier this morning, he sat down for a one on one interview with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. One of the main topics, the growing nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: Their obligation is to dismantle their nuclear weapons program, as a means by which to enter the international community. And to receive from the international community the benefits that would help them economically and the like. And so any activity that might be aimed at escalation is obviously not going to help their cause.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: You can see that entire interview, less than two hours from now on "NEWS WITH CNN" with Wolf Blitzer at 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.

Another interview to tell you about. This one with CBS' "60 Minutes" president. Putin suggested the Russian election system may be even more democratic than America's. Mr. Putin contrasted the U.S. Electoral College with Russia's direct vote for president. On CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," White House aide Dan Bartlett suggested different democracies aren't necessarily a bad thing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: We also recognize and President Bush recognizes that Russia's development into a strong democracy will take a very Russian flavor. That is not going to be an American democracy. It will have its own traits and its own designs and we fully recognize that. But what President Bush is stressing is that all democracies have some things in common: a transparent government, rule of law, a free media. Those are things that are universal. And that's why President Bush feels strongly about discussing these issues with President Putin. And I must say that President Putin himself recognizes that. They have come a long way in this country. And he, himself, recognizes that more progress needs to be done. And we stand ready to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And we have an opportunity now to get more information on our lead story out of Southern California; that police chase that ended in a barrage of gunfire. We want to go to one of our affiliate reporters, Bob Decastro with affiliate KTTV, live now from Compton.

Bob, what can you tell us?

BOB DECASTRO, KTTV CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, we're just a few blocks away from the scene. It's on Butler Avenue; this is Alondra Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Compton, California. They just opened this street up but it was been closed down for several hours, as they were collecting bullet casings from the street. They are just littered all over the place. Again, a barrage of gunfire.

This happened just before midnight, when sheriff's deputy deputies in here L.A. County were responding to a shooting in Compton. And they tried to pull over a suspect driving a white SUV. He didn't stop. There was about a 10-minute chase. The suspect drives down this street and then deputies boxed him in with cars. He's corners. And according to sheriff's deputies he goes berserk. He begins to hop the curbs, ramming cars, accelerating and then bullets fly.

The chase then brought to a halt. The suspect was taken out of the SUV. He was cuffed. We understand he was shot, but is in stable condition in the hospital. We don't know what charges he may face. And the deputy was hurt, shot in this crossfire, shot in a bulletproof vest but is in good condition n the hospital.

Again, there are a lot of bullet casings here. So forensic teams will spend the next several hours pulling those casings. And again, we don't know if the suspect was armed. But he has been taken to the hospital and we understand is in stable condition.

That's latest from Los Angeles. Bob Decastro. We'll send it back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob, any kind of community reaction? I'm sure this is the last thing people want to see happen in their front yard.

DECASTRO: Yes, absolutely. You know, this happened just before midnight. Compton, California, which has been struggling with a lot of crime here. So imagine that, you know, with this many bullets that were flying, there was a lot of people who were unnerved. But this street is a very busy street, a business area. So not a lot of homes in this area.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Decastro from our affiliate KTTV, thanks for the additional information.

Other breaking news to tell you about. This is coming to you from Liberty, Missouri. A school bus crash involving a number of students. Also apparently a couple of other vehicles are involved here. Sketchy information, even though we have these live pictures.

This is what we know. This is just outside of Kansas City, Missouri; television reports talking abut this school bus on its side. If you're familiar with the area, it's at the intersections of Highways 291 and 152. As we watch this, police so far are not commenting on the extent of the injuries. But as you see from the live picture, courtesy of our affiliate WDAF, school bus on its side. Apparently a couple other vehicles involved in that. We will work on getting additional information on the status of those students.

Also still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, nasty weather prompting a terrifying ordeal for two sailors strand at sea. We're going to hear from one of the men coming up next.

Plus, after more than two decades, new technology leads to a new look at the Atlanta child murders case.

And later, before you enroll your children for the next school year, you might want to think twice about where they're getting their education. A look at the nation's top 100 public high schools when CNN LIVE TODAY rolls on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Pictures from off the coast of North Carolina, a rescue at sea. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter plucked two men from their sailboat after hurricane-force winds slammed into the outer banks. The boat also hammered by seas towering several feet high.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBER CUMMINGS, SAILBOAT OWNER: Within 20 minutes we had to just, you know, pull in all the sails. And we were just trying to ride the storm out. We were tethered to the boat. And the seas had gotten up to 40 feet and one big wave we didn't see just came and knocked the boat over. We had a knockdown and ejected us from the cockpit. Luckily he were tethered in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The men ended up jumping into the sea where a Coast Guard swimmer helped hoist them to safety.

Talking about raising kids, it can be difficult, especially if you have triplets with major health challenges. Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, the inspiring story of a truly amazing mother and her tiny miracles.

Plus, Gerri Willis is here talking about the prom.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, Daryn. Good to see you. You may have the hot date, but not the cold cash. We'll save you from financial heartbreak when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We want to show you more live pictures. We're getting some more information about what's taking place in Liberty, Missouri. This is just northeast of Kansas City, Missouri. A school bus crash. The numbers we're getting in now, about 30 or more children injured in this crash. Earlier reports say that people on the scene believe it's elementary school children, but not exactly sure which school they were going to. They brought in two air ambulances and a number of ground ambulances to transport children to the hospital.

Now, besides the school bus as the camera pans around there, you're going to see two cars. A black car and red car there to the left part what have we can see on the screen right now, very badly damaged. And it appears they were involved in this accident as well. No word on exactly the severity of the injuries or who was at fault. But we'll continue to follow that story out of Liberty, Missouri.

All right, go down memory lane now. Time for teenage dreams and a little bit of lost sleep for parents. Prom night, the social event of high school and typically the most costly as well. "Teen People" magazine says this year's price tag will be the highest ever.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis joins us with her "Top 5 Tips," pairing down the costs.

Gerri, we were out Saturday night here in Atlanta, it was huge prom night. They were everywhere.

WILLIS: Really? And I'm telling you they spend so much money, $1,200 on average. Which seems like a ridiculous amount of money to me. Anyway, some it you can't help but spend. The tickets alone cost $140. It's the clothes though, that really put you in the red on your budget.

If you're a fellow and you're having to rent a tux, you'll probably spend about $170. But look, why not get your friends together, just wear dressy suits. And maybe you all get some funny silly loud ties. The girls will think you're a lot of fun. And maybe it will be something different prom night.

If you're a girl, and you're looking for the dress, the perfect dress, look at these young women checking out these dresses. Why not have a dress swap? You know, in high school you go to all kinds of events: homecoming, spring fling, semi formals. Why not swap the dresses, save a little dough?

KAGAN: I couldn't believe some of the dresses I saw Saturday night. It looked like when I covered the Oscars on the red carpet. Amazing how some of these girls are dressed.

WILLIS: Well, that's what where they're getting all their ideas.

KAGAN: Oh. OK. Well, let's talk about group rates. That's another way you might be able to save some money. WILLIS: Well, you know, it's all about the hair and makeup. And that takes a lot of money, too. One good idea, go to your local salon and ask for a group rate. Get the friends together. Go together. You can actually get a discount if you're willing to negotiate.

KAGAN: Start some new traditions. Say good-bye to the costly old ones.

WILLIS: Yes. I'm telling you, the boutonniere, who cares about the boutonniere?

KAGAN: I didn't see a lot of boutonnieres out Saturday night.

WILLIS: Oh, well. That's good to hear. You can save money on things that are considered traditional and invent some new traditions that might be less expensive. Like, why not rip the prom 2005 CD? That something you'd remember more than the orchid on your shoulder, I think. Anyway, another thing to do. A lot of people go out to dinner that night. Why not have a barbecue in the backyard instead? Print up t-shirts and say something like my "prom dress survived the 2005 prom barbecue." I think you have to be creative here. Think of different ways to save money and to have fun at the same time.

KAGAN: Your next tip has to do with transportation, limousines. I saw a lot of different types of transportation Saturday night.

WILLIS: Limos. What else, Daryn?

KAGAN: Stretch limos, but like Hummers. I saw converted school bus, all different types of things going on.

WILLIS: Well, the school bus is actually a great idea, because you can really save money like that. A limo typically costs about $150 an hour. So if you're out for six hours, I mean do the math. Think about a trolley, maybe renting an RV would be a good substitute if they'll both save you money in the long run. Gorving.com, cruiseamerica.com, two great places to get some ideas for RV.

KAGAN: And finally, get some other folks to pitch in.

WILLIS: Yes, you know. Relive your prom. If you have kids that are doing prom night, maybe you want to donate some goods to the after-party. That's always a great way to get involved. And think about the Princess Project, that's where you can donate dresses that others can wear. Save somebody a little money out there. I'm telling you, you're going to have college to pay for. You know what I mean?

KAGAN: OK. Relive yours. Who did you go with?

WILLIS: Who did I go with? I went with a friend of mine in a fabulous dress.

KAGAN: Oh, come on! Give the name.

WILLIS: Gosh, Daryn, it's been a long time. You know what I mean? Can you remember your prom date? KAGAN: Yes. Gary Shapiro.

WILLIS: I bet Gary's smiling really pretty right about now.

KAGAN: I hope so. Hi, Gary.

KAGAN: We'll get back to you on your prom date. You're not off the hook.

WILLIS: Oh. OK. All right.

KAGAN: We'll get back to you on that. All right. Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: All right. It is the day after Mother's Day and we're still talking about special moms. Still to come, she calls them her "little miracles." We'll tell you about the daily struggles of one mom who celebrates feeding time as a major accomplishment.

Plus, reopening a case that's more than 25 years old. Hear from the attorney of the man convicted in the Atlanta child murders.

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