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American Morning

During Night, Peaceful End to Tense Seven-Hour Standoff At University in Connecticut

Aired February 13, 2002 - 07:37   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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: During the night, a peaceful end to a tense seven-hour standoff at a university in Connecticut. A graduate of Fairfield University walked into a religious studies class yesterday afternoon and announced he was holding a bomb. A teacher and 22 students were held hostage as police negotiated over the phone with the suspect, Patrick Arbelo.

After hours of intense negotiations, police were able to convince Arbelo to release to the hostages and then surrender himself to authorities. During the unfolding drama, all of the hostages were released, except one.

Joining us now, following is terrifying ordeal, student Ripton Marini, who was the last hostage to be released -- thanks very much for joining us this morning, Ripton.

Let me ask you, when -- the other hostages were released in bunches throughout the day. When it was just you and Mr. Arbelo, what was going through your mind?

RIPTON MARINI, STUDENT TAKEN HOSTAGE: I was just very happy that everyone was safe. I was thinking that it would come to a timely conclusion, and I too would be safe within time.

COOPER: Describe what Mr. Arbelo was like during the time that he was holding you and the other students hostage?

MARINI: What was the question again?

COOPER: What was Mr. Arbelo like? What was his mood? Did he seem rational to you?

MARINI: He seemed very rational. He continued to tell us that he didn't want anyone to get hurt. He seemed a little scared at times, as I think anyone in his position or any of our position would be.

COOPER: Did he give any indication of why he was doing this?

MARINI: He wanted to get his views across. He mentioned he did not want to harm any of us. And all he wanted was for a radio station to play his views.

COOPER: His views regarding what?

MARINI: He had -- they were anti-semantic views I guess of sorts. I read over the script that -- or the paper he gave us, but I really don't know exactly what it was all about.

COOPER: So he gave you a paper to read, which states his viewpoints that he wanted people to know?

MARINI: That's correct. He gave one to the police officers too.

COOPER: What was the mood like among you and the other hostages?

MARINI: I think a lot of people were really scared, but I think everyone held together very, very well. And I think everyone stood together throughout it. And it was just really great. Like after once we were all free, we were in a room together. And it just felt really good to see everyone united again.

COOPER: Do you think Mr. Arbelo actually targeted this class in particular? I understand it's quite a popular class. It has to do with religion. Did any indication give you that he targeted this class?

MARINI: He said that he had no idea which class he was going to choose. There was no real reason for it. I think it was just a certain classroom he chose on a certain day. I think it's just how it worked out.

COOPER: Did you have much interaction with him? I mean, it sounds like you guys had an ongoing dialogue throughout the day.

MARINI: I talked to the suspect throughout. I was just trying to keep him in some sort of a mood, where I didn't want him to hurt any of us or himself for that matter. I just wanted to try to keep things on the down level, just talking about chit-chat stuff, nothing big, just to try to keep the mood light.

COOPER: All right, Richard Marini, you have had a harrowing experience to say the least. We are glad that you and the other hostages got out safely last night. Thank you very much for joining us this morning, Mr. Marini.

MARINI: You're welcome.

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