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Uber Driver In Shooting Spree To Be Arraigned; Investigation Underway In Kalamazoo Shooting Massacre; Tim Pawlenty Announces He's Endorsing Rubio. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired February 22, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: The Uber driver accused of going on a shooting spree in Michigan even picking up fares between killings, he is going to face formal charges today. At least six people were killed in that murder spree.

Ryan Young is live in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a city trying to grasp what happened there -- Ryan.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Michaela, this is really tough for this community. In fact, we went to a vigil last night. You can feel the pain in the room. A lot of people asking questions, how could this happen? They really want to know the motive for why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

YOUNG (voice-over): Kalamazoo is in mourning looking for answers after six people were killed and two others injured in a shooting rampage on Saturday night.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is an opportunity we get to pray for our victims.

YOUNG: Authorities say the suspect, 45-year-old Jason Dalton, doesn't appear to be connected to any of the victims.

JEFF GETTING, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, KALAMAZOO COUNTY: These were very deliberate killings, intentional, deliberate and I don't want to say casually done. Coldly done is what I want to say.

YOUNG: Neighbors who know the alleged shooter say they're in shock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He seemed so normal. This is so, so strange.

YOUNG: Dalton worked as an Uber driver. A passenger who rode in his car just before the shooting said he was acting strange.

MATT MELLEN, PASSENGER IN ALLEGED SHOOTER'S CAR: We were kind of driving through medians, driving through the lawn, speeding along. And finally once he came to a stop, I jump out of the car and ran away.

YOUNG: Shortly after that, authorities say the nearly seven-hour shooting spree started. At 5:42 p.m., a woman is shot several times in a parking lot at an apartment complex. She survived but is in serious condition.

At 10:08 p.m., Richard Smith and his 17-year-old son, Tyler, are shot and killed at a car dealership. At 10:24 p.m., Dalton pulls into this parking lot at a cracker barrel, where he allegedly kills four women in their cars, all over the age of 60.

A 14-year-old girl was also shot but survived. Finally, after midnight, police locate Dalton's car.

PAUL MATYAS, UNDERSHERIFF, KALAMAZOO COUNTY: We determined that this was indeed our suspect. He was taken into custody.

YOUNG: Investigators believed Dalton was looking to pick up passengers even after the final shooting. Uber said in a statement, "We are horrified and heartbroken at the senseless violence. We have reached out to the police to help with their investigation in any way that we can."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

YOUNG: Every time we cover one of these shootings, there seems to be someone standing out and saying, hey, I noticed something strange. In this case, when we talked to neighbors they said nothing raised a red flag and has everyone baffling -- Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: It is so baffling and troubling. Ryan, thanks so much for that update. We'll have much more on this deadly shooting spree ahead. Do authorities have a motive? The sheriff leading the investigation joins us live to talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:37:35]

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: We do know that formal charges are expected today against the man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting rampage in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is a married father of two. He does not have a criminal record. He is accused of gunning down six people and leaving two wounded.

Joining us now live is Sheriff Richard Fuller III. He is the leading investigator into these shootings. Sheriff, thank you very much for joining us. Let's see if you can help us fill in some of the blanks here.

We are referring to this man as the Uber shooter. You said early on you don't know whether or not his job as a driver was connected to this rampage. Now there's been information that he may have been trying to pick up fares in between some of these incidents. Can you clarify this for us?

RICHARD C. FULLER III, KALAMAZOO COUNTY SHERIFF: We do believe that is true. But I would like to make sure people understand I don't want to call him the Uber shooter or anything fun like that. I want to make sure people understand this is just another suspect.

CUOMO: OK, good. Toxicology. We heard one of the people in the car with him before the shooting started said he was driving very poorly, of medians, in and out. Enough so when he came to a stop, this guy got out and ran. Any information on toxicology or suspicions on your part at this point of whether or not this man is in his right mind?

FULLER: Speaking to his right mind, I can't. I can tell you that toxicologies are not going to show us anything at this point. What drove this person is something that only that person is likely to know.

CUOMO: What are you hearing from people who have had contact with him? Because obviously the erratic driving and being a flat demeanor after something so emotional like this does speak to a certain disposition that I'm sure you have seen many times on your job. What are people telling you who have been in contact?

FULLER: Well, I was there when the suspect was taken into custody. I watched his demeanor at that time. I was part of the search effort. When we were able to locate and take him into custody, he gave us no problems and was saying very little.

CUOMO: Has that remained the same? Has he asked for counsel? Has he offered any explanation?

FULLER: I cannot speak to him asking for counsel yet or not. I can tell you that he is cooperating with law enforcement and that we are putting together some of the pieces.

[06:40:07]Some of those questions you're asking right now, we will have more answers in the coming days.

CUOMO: What is your best sense as to what the motivation was here?

FULLER: My best sense is somebody that was having an issue at the time and for whatever reason they decided to do what they did. Like I said, we will find out more throughout time and through more conversation cans with this suspect involved in these shootings.

CUOMO: We do know that early on you guys decided that this was not about any kind of agenda on a scale of terror or anything like that. But in talking to the families, are you getting a better picture? When can you start sharing some of what you know because obviously that has your community on edge, not just the nature of the shooting but the reason why?

FULLER: Well, you know, I'm glad you mentioned our community. We are a community filled with grace and care. This is a community that has come together to help the victims, to help one another.

We had a team put together last night just to talk to the police officers, the firefighters, the ambulance personnel, and the nurses associated with trying to care for all of these victims.

So this is a community that cares. As soon as we are able to share more with the community, because of court processes, they will hear more about this case.

CUOMO: Two more quick points, Sheriff. One, no criminal record. Any record of treatment? Any record of mental or health problems?

FULLER: Those are records that will be more difficult to come out with if they are found. That is part of our search right now. All of this started Saturday afternoon about almost 6:00. We have been very active in our investigation from that point.

We are very fortunate that one of the sheriff department personnel was able to see the suspect vehicle in the city of Kalamazoo and we were able to take this suspect into custody very quickly.

So again, the community hopefully can rest assured that the law enforcement cooperates in this community works very hard for its citizens and I'm very, very proud of the men and women of law enforcement and this community for doing the things they have done to make this community safe.

CUOMO: No question you got quick turnaround off vehicle I.D. not easy to do especially at night like this. We'll stay in touch, Sheriff. Please let us know as the families of the victims start to coordinate through you what their needs are. Let us know so we can make people aware of how to help. Sheriff, thank you very much for being with us. Sheriff Fuller.

FULLER: Thank you.

CUOMO: Mich.

PEREIRA: All right, to something a lot lighter, did you see that close finish yesterday in NASCAR? NASCAR's biggest race. It was decided literally by a bumper. We have the details ahead in our "Bleacher Report."

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[06:46:55]

CAMEROTA: FBI Director James Comey saying people should take a deep breath in the conflict between Apple and the FBI over the unlocking of the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino terrorist.

In a post online, Comey say the FBI owes it to the victims to access that phone. Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook in a new letter to employees is standing its ground. Their refusal to cooperate is a civil liberties issue he says and he calls for a commission on how tech companies and the government can collaborate on intelligence.

PEREIRA: Daytona 500. A 500-mile race coming down to four inches at the finish line yesterday. Coy Wire, I probably have to apologize for the hooting and hollering to my neighbors. What a finish.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: No apologies necessary. Good morning, Michaela. NASCAR nor the fans could have asked for anything better in the ending of the marque race. We are talking about the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.

Let's check it out. Here is how it went down. Top of your screen. Final laps. Denny Hamlin makes a move veers inside Matt (inaudible) avoiding near disaster then it's all Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. neck and neck.

Barreling towards that checkered line, too close to tell in real-time so here's the photo finish. Hamlin by 1/100th of a second. That's about a bumper length, locks up the closes finish in the race's history ceiling his first ever Daytona 500 win. Here's Denny.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENNY HAMLIN: I didn't know we had won. I knew it was close. I heard people were all crazy excited so I assumed we won when that happened. If not I was goes to be pissed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: After Hamlin's big win, check this out, his mom, Marylou tweeted a picture of a letter that Denny wrote back in the third grade.

It says, "My wish is to win the Daytona 500. If I won the Daytona 500, I would like it to come true on February 17th, 1998. My car would be red, white, blue, and gold just like Bill Elliotts. If I do win the Daytona 500, I could win $1 million. The reason for all of this is because I love racing."

Racing loves you, Denny. Congratulations. It's like the race between whose suits are tighter, mine or Cuomo's.

CUOMO: Shut up. Good to see you, brother. What a race.

Marco Rubio has an impressive second place finish in South Carolina. He is now getting a big push from the Republican Party known as the establishment. Is he coming to be Trump's top rival? If so, how does Marco Rubio take on Donald Trump and win? We'll speak with former presidential candidate, Minnesota's ex-governor, Tim Pawlenty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:19]

CAMEROTA: Which GOP candidate stands the best chance of slowing Donald Trump's momentum? Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz duking it out for second place while John Kasich and Ben Carson vow to keep fighting until the finish.

Joining us now is former Minnesota governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate, Tim Pawlenty. Governor, thanks so much for being here on NEW DAY.

TIM PAWLENTY (R), FORMER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR: It's my pleasure. Good morning.

CAMEROTA: So we know that you have been following this race obviously with great interest and you've taken your time considering who you'd like to support. Have you made a decision?

PAWLENTY: I have. I'm announcing this morning and first on your show that I'm going to endorse Marco Rubio for president. He is strong. He's also informed. He's conservative and he's electable. He can unite the party and he can ask for much more than.

I think he has the total package. I think he will bring forward the strongest voice, the strongest image, and really the most thoughtful and informed strong view about how to move this country forward from a conservative perspective.

CAMEROTA: Do you think that he has become the establishment candidate around whom the GOP would like to coalesce?

PAWLENTY: Well, I think that's a misreading. Marco Rubio came of age in the Tea Party. He is a bonafide movement conservative and to say that he's establishment or somehow, you know, not conservative I just don't think is accurate. He's bold.

He's next generation, reform minded, change oriented. I think what people want in Donald Trump is strength. Marco Rubio, you get that same strength, but it's an informed strength.

I think that is really important particularly when you get to issues like national security, defense issues, and foreign affairs.

CAMEROTA: You know, you've talked about his electability. I'm sure you've heard the punditry around this, which is, yes, he is a likable candidate. But where does he win? In fact, Ted Cruz just talked about this very clearly. Let me play Ted Cruz for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[06:55:00]SENATOR TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And he was asked what state can you win? You weren't able to win in Iowa. You weren't able to win in New Hampshire. You weren't able to win in South Carolina. When can you win a state?

And the answer he gave, well, I think we could win Florida, March 15th. Now, that's a fairly amazing admission that they don't believe they will win here in Nevada. Apparently, they don't believe they will win any states on Super Tuesday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Governor, what's your response to that?

PAWLENTY: It's a marathon, not a sprint, and certainly getting towards at least the halfway point in the early part of the marathon. Look, Marco is going to have to win some states if he is going to be the nominee.

But as the field winnows, the dynamics of the race change and so this is a three-way race at the moment as a practical matter. It's between Rubio, Cruz, and Trump. There are some others in the race, but I don't think they are going to be in the race that much longer.

And I think the numbers will change. You will see Marco's victories start to chalk up as those numbers change.

CAMEROTA: Yes, but I mean, look, you know the math. You've run for president, what state do you think that he can win?

PAWLENTY: Well, one state that would make his numbers real well is his home state of Florida. That's not the only one, but obviously he is going to have a really good opportunity to win that state. It's a huge state. There is a lot of delegates and so he can, quote/unquote, "get well" politically in a big hurry by winning Florida.

CAMEROTA: Sure, but I mean, the latest polls suggest that Trump is way out ahead of Marco Rubio even in his home state of Florida.

PAWLENTY: This race is dynamic. It's changing. Look, it's going to change as it gets down to one candidate versus Donald Trump. If you clear the field and say what do you think? If you had to pick between Trump and Rubio. Rubio has a good chance of winning. It is at least tied in many states ahead.

CAMEROTA: Are you one of the people who is suggesting that John Kasich should get out of the race so more support can now go to Rubio?

PAWLENTY: You know, it's not my place to tell. Other people want to get in and out of the race. I do think, however, at this point, you have to look who has a realistic shot to win in terms of resources, message and the like. You have to consolidate support.

John Kasich has to make his own decision at his own time. I don't think he is the likely nominee at this point and he is going to have to make a decision about what's the best interest of the party and the country as to the timing of his decision.

CAMEROTA: As you know, Donald Trump has raised the issue of Ted Cruz's eligibility to become president because he was born in Canada. Then this weekend, Donald Trump raised questions about Marco Rubio's eligibility to become president because Rubio's father was not born here in the U.S. He was born in Cuba.

Basically Donald Trump retweeted a suggestion from a conservative web site that Marco Rubio wasn't eligible. Let me play for you what Trump has said about this issue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know. I've never looked at it, George. Honestly, I have never looked at it. Somebody said he's not. Somebody tweeted it. I retweet things. We start dialogue and it's very interesting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Governor, what's your response to this?

PAWLENTY: Well, when you want to be president of the United States, and you raise a claim of this serious magnitude. I don't know is not a good answer. Marco Rubio was born in the United States. Donald Trump himself said in earlier interviews that that wasn't an issue with respect to Marco's eligibility for president.

So just retweeted it and say I don't know, it just seems really reckless. Obviously Marco Rubio is qualified constitutionally, legally and otherwise to be president. There's no issue here. It is bizarre.

CAMEROTA: OK, former Minnesota governor, Tim Pawlenty, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY. Great to have your endorsement announced here.

PAWLENTY: Thank you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: We are following a lot of news this morning. What's the landscape like before Super Tuesday? Let's get right to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: The American dream is dead, but we're going to make it bigger and stronger.

SENATOR MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You're down to a core of three candidates.

CRUZ: The only campaign that can beat Donald Trump has beaten Donald Trump.

RUBIO: I'm going to spend zero time on his interpretation of the constitution with regards to eligibility.

TRUMP: I get along with him. Even Putin called me a genius.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There is an underlying question. Is she in it for us or herself?

BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: South Carolina has the opportunity to make American history.

CLINTON: I've always been the same person fighting for the same values.

SANDERS: We are going to see the results of one of the great political upsets in the history of the United States.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were intentional, deliberate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Uber driver accused of killing six people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were driving through medians, driving through the lawn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Picked up fares between his killings. (END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. Super Tuesday still a week away, but is Donald Trump already crossing the finish line? Pundits say the GOP establishment is in panic mode about it. The stakes in the 2016 race could not be higher with 16 states heading to the polls in the next two weeks.

On the Democratic side, before Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders tangle in the South Carolina primary Saturday, they'll take part in a CNN town hall --