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Unrest in Akron after Shooting; Bill Stanton is Interviewed about Shootings in America; Griner Pens Letter to Biden; Israeli Military Likely Responsible for Journalist's Death; Airline Chaos Intensifies; Battle Over Biden's Gas Comment. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired July 05, 2022 - 06:30   ET

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


[06:30:00]

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Worked. We have to remember that the Walker family has been joining - Jayland Walker's family has been joining city officials in pleading for the public to remain peaceful and patient as the investigation into last week's shooting of their son is now in the hands of Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Process that the family's attorney told me could last anywhere from 60 to 90 days.

So, ultimately, they are the ones that will have to determine whether or not the use of force that was exhibited by those eight officers that opened up with a barrage of bullets shooting and killing that 25- year-old, if those actions were justified. The union representing those officers maintains that the decision to deploy lethal force, as well as the number of shots that were fired, does seem to be consistent with the use of force policy in the city, as well as the officers' training.

Brianna, back to you.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, and other expert wondering why it required several shots on the part of each officer there. So, certainly a lot of disagreement on this.

Polo Sandoval, live for us in Akron, thank you so much.

After a deadly mass shooting at a July 4th parade near Chicago, soft targets across America are now on high alert. We are live from Highland Park with the latest on the investigation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:35:15]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. I'm John Berman in Highland Park, Illinois. This is CNN's special live coverage.

It was here again, not 24 hours ago, this Fourth of July parade was going down this street. I'm standing right in the parade route. This is actually the pivot point where the parade took a left-hand turn, went down this street, and it was two blocks there where a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, killing six people, wounding about 25 more. You can still see the lawn chairs here. A moment frozen in time as hundreds of people just fled the scene in every direction.

A person that the police are calling a suspect and a person of interest was apprehended about eight hours after the shooting, yesterday evening, after a short chase. He was taken into custody on a road about five miles from here. Police, at one point, holding him down on the ground, leaning on his back. He is now in custody, 22 years old.

Investigators this morning going through this suspect's -- or this person of interest, as they're calling him, his history online, including some videos that had violent tendencies. Stick figures depicted in gear and a voiceover that said, I just need to go ahead and do it. I need to just do it. It is my destiny.

And another video which shows this same stick figure on the ground in a puddle of blood surrounded by police officers. That is what police will be looking at this morning.

Again, they have a weapon in hand. They had a weapon in hand before they actually had this person of interest. What they're called a high- powered rifle. This morning, still trying to determine how this person of interest, or how the shooter got ahold of this gun. Whether it was purchased illegally and exactly what kind of gun it is.

Six people dead, 25 injured. Most of those injured have now been released from the hospital. But those shot range in age from five to 85 years old.

Brianna.

KEILAR: Yes, and, John, just like that father you were speaking to earlier, basically said to you, if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. And I think a lot of people are looking at this, and that's exactly what they're fearful for.

So, let's talk about that. Joining us now is a security expert. He's the author of "Prepared Not Scared," former NYPD Officer Bill Stanton.

I've got to be honest, Bill, I think some people are going to be scared no matter what. But maybe they can be prepared and scared, right, even if they're going to be not scared here.

BILL STANTON, FORMER NYPD OFFICER/SAFETY AND SECURITY EXPERT: Well -

KEILAR: So, large gatherings, there's going to be a ton of them this summer. What do people need to know?

STANTON: Well, it's called situational awareness. I mean, this is a tragedy that happened. And it can, in fact, happen anywhere. And people need to understand that. You know, bad things, unfortunately, happen to good people.

Now, what do we do about that? You have that situational awareness. You know, take about five minutes your time if you're going to go to an area, scan, be aware, and do the what-if scenarios in your head. Suppose there was someone driving recklessly - driving down the middle of a parade, what would I do? Where can I situate myself? You know, if there was a shooter, am I going to run with the crowd? If I run with the crowd, there may be an act of terrorism and they may be funning me in there.

So, what would I do? I would have pre-planned a place where I'm going to go if I hear shots, secure in place and tell the group I'm with, my family and friends, God forbid something happened and we get separated, this will be our meeting point.

KEILAR: So this is something that you're doing every time you go to a movie, go to a parade, go to a concert? I mean these are the things we do almost every day, right?

STANTON: Well, good habits are hard to break, just like bad ones. I want you to be prepared, not scared. I want you to be prepared, not paranoid. And it's not a big deal. I go to a restaurant. Before I take my seat, I'll do a walk around the restaurant and I'll see where the extra exit is just in case.

KEILAR: Just in case.

OK, so I also want to ask you, as you're looking at this situation in Highland Park, this suspect, or this person of interest, was on a roof. Are we to the point where even at something like a hometown parade you have to start having police positioned on roofs, or you start looking at the roof of different buildings around you when you're at an event like this?

STANTON: It's a tough question. It's really not feasible because if someone were to go onto the roof, he just saw the opportunity. In my opinion, he saw a ladder. And let me take that ladder and that would get me a good vantage point. If he walked right into the middle of the parade and just went around in a circle, arguably he would have done more damage.

So, it's incumbent upon us all, you know, to deputize ourselves, to be our inner security.

[06:40:01]

And if someone would have seen him walking with that rifle, let's say, or if someone would have seen him with the ladder and just questioned for a minute, and not intervened but called up law enforcement, it may have been a different equation.

Bill, thank you so much. I know a lot of people, they want to know what they can do, right? They feel a little bit like this is out of their control. So there are some things they can.

STANTON: Empower yourself.

KEILAR: Bill Stanton, we appreciate it.

An emotional plea to President Biden from WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is detained in Russia and terrified that she may be there forever. How the White House is responding this morning. And a major update on the death of a Palestinian-American journalist.

While the U.S. says it's likely that Israel is responsible for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. We are live in Jerusalem, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: I'm John Berman in Highland Park, Illinois. More of our special coverage from here in just a minute.

But, first, another major story we are following this morning. Brittney Griner, the WNBA star, one of the great basketball players on earth, with an emotional letter, a plea, really, to President Biden on July 4th from inside her Russian prison cell where she's been held for nearly two months, charged with possession of cannabis.

[06:45:15]

A trial for these charges began just on Friday.

Let's get right to Kylie Atwood at the State Department with much more on the contents of this letter.

Kylie.

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John, Brittney Griner, in this letter that was delivered to President Biden yesterday, wrote about just how different this July 4th was for her in Russian prison. Of course, she said, it has been painfully different because she's used to being in the United States celebrating American freedom, celebrating American veterans. She spoke about how her father was a Vietnam War veteran.

But, of course, now she is in Russian prison. And one of these powerful excerpts from this letter, she spoke about just how fearful she is that she could be detained there for an incredibly long time.

And I want to read that to you. She said in this letter to President Biden, quote, as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I am terrified I might be here forever. I realize you're dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.

And, of course, she spoke about missing her wife, missing her family, missing her American basketball colleagues here in the United States. And she also told President Biden that she voted for him in 2020. She said she hasn't voted in the past, but she said that she has a lot more to do with her American freedom. Essentially saying that she needs to get out of Russian prison so that she can get back here in the United States, so that she can be with her family, so that she can do more with that power that she, as an individual, has.

And it's interesting to watch how her family has come out much more publicly in the last few weeks to call on the Biden administration to bring home Brittney Griner. And just last week, Cherelle Griner, who is her wife, spoke to Abby Phillip of CNN and she said that in terms of the Biden administration, their rhetoric has not matched their actions in bringing home Brittney Griner.

Now, National Security Council at the White House responded to this letter that was penned by Griner to President Biden, saying that the president has been very clear that all Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad must come home and said that the administration is working aggressively to make sure that they come home with all means available.

Brittney Griner had a trial last week in Russia. She has another one this week. Of course, we will be watching that incredibly closely.

John.

BERMAN: We will.

Kylie Atwood, at the State Department. That letter from Brittney Griner, Cherelle Griner told our Abby Phillip just last week, Cherelle Griner, that she herself would like to speak to President Biden. Obviously, this family pushing hard to get Brittney Griner back to the United States.

Brianna.

KEILAR: Well, U.S. officials say an investigation has determined the shot that killed al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh was likely fired by the Israeli military but there's no reason to believe she was deliberately targeted.

CNN's Hadas Gold is live in Jerusalem.

Hadas, what else have you learned about the investigation and how is this being received by Palestinians and Israelis?

HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brianna, this is the first time the Biden administration is taking a position on what they believe happened on the day that Shireen Abu Akleh was killed while she was on assignment covering an Israeli military raid in the West Bank town of Janine (ph) in May.

Now, according to the State Department's statement, a ballistic examination of the bullet they said was inclusive because of how badly damaged the bullet was. They couldn't, they said, match it to a weapon that was possibly used. Both they said after revieing both the Palestinian and Israeli investigations, they came to the conclusion that it was most likely Israeli gunfire was what caused her death, but they have no reason to believe it was intentional, saying that it was rather the result of tragic circumstances during an IDF-led military operation.

But this conclusion, this statement from the Americans, is being met with anger from the Palestinian Authorities and from Shireen Abu Akleh's family. The Palestinian Authority saying that they want the U.S. to hold Israel responsible and saying they disagreed with the assessment that the bullet was to badly damaged, saying that it is still possible to match it to the weapon.

And Shireen Abu Akleh's family, well, they say they are incredulous. Take a listen to what her niece had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LINA ABU AKLEH, NIECE OF SHIREEN ABU AKLEH: We were expecting that such an investigation would actually hold the perpetrators accountable and would carry out a transparent investigation that is free from any political pressure. However, that was not the case.

In addition, we continue to call on the U.N. and the ICC to carry out an investigation and hold Israel accountable and put an end to this grotesque impunity that Israel continues to enjoy.

[06:50:02]

We call for justice for Shireen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLD: Now, the Israeli prime minister, Yari Lapid, new Prime Minister Yair Lapid, saying in a statement that he's expressing sorrow for her death. That the IDF still has not been able to conclude who shot her. But they do know that he says that the IDF would not intentionally harm a journalist.

And the Israeli military said that their investigation is continuing and any possibility of a criminal investigation will only be opened after their own operational examination is concluded, but they have not said when they think that will be wrapped up.

Brianna.

KEILAR: All right, Hadas Gold, live for us in Jerusalem, thank you so much.

I do want to head back to Highland Park, Illinois, now, where John Berman is covering the aftermath of the shooting there and a 22-year- old who is in custody in connection with it.

John.

BERMAN: Yes, in custody, apprehended about eight hours after the shooting itself. We're getting more information this morning on the investigation.

Plus, new accounts of the moments of sheer terror on this street behind me. The moments after, where people fled, but also ran back to the scene to help others. One doctor who treated people on the ground there, who this morning wants people to understand the power of the weapon that was used.

Our special live coverage continues right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [06:56:07]

KEILAR: It was an inspiring night of celebration at CNN's July 4th special featuring a wide mix of incredible musical guests from across the country, there as you can see, including Journey.

In the meantime, the travel nightmare developing in the skies is far from over. After a weekend of airline chaos, U.S. flights returned to a new morning.

So, let's bring in CNN's Pete Muntean live at Reagan National Airport.

Pete, we're seeing too much of each other this way, I will tell you. Constantly we are having problems at the airport and you're telling us about it.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's almost like they won't let me leave Reagan National Airport.

You know, Brianna, this July 4th travel mess is not near as bad as it could have been. Look at the numbers according to Flight Aware. More than 2,200 flight cancellations from Thursday to yesterday. They really peaked on Saturday. But let's put this into context. This is about half as bad as the weekend before the long July 4th holiday weekend. This is a really big win for airlines. Remember, they were under this mandates from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to have their acts together over July 4th. It's also a really big win for passengers. More than 9 million people screened at airports nationwide from Thursday to Sunday, 2.49 million on Friday. That's the highest number we have seen since February 11, 2020, a new pandemic-era air travel record.

This is also a huge win for workers. Remember, they are often caught in the middle of these roving delays and cancellations. I want you to listen now to Sara Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants who says this is good for pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, everybody at the airlines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARA NELSON, ASSOCIATION OF LIGHT ATTENDANTS: Oftentimes, crews are waiting for one, two, three, four hours to get in touch with a crew scheduler. That means if we're not getting our next assignment, we're timing out. And so we're very frustrated with the airlines on the back end, on operational support during this time too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: Brianna, remember, the root of all of this is that airlines got a lot smaller over the pandemic in terms of workers and planes. They were not allowed to furlough workers, although they did offer voluntary outs and retirement packages. When that comes together with summer weather, that is when the deck of cards really begins to come tumbling down and these delays and cancellations to begin piling up. We are not totally out of the woods yet this summer, especially since the threat of summer weather is still out there and airlines are still scrambling to hire. They are still a lot smaller than we saw back in 2019.

Brianna.

KEILAR: All right, Pete. Well, that means I look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Pete Muntean, live for us just outside Washington, D.C. Thank you.

President Biden facing criticism for suggesting that companies running gas stations are overcharging Americans for gas. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos taking to Twitter to say this, inflation is far too important a problem for the White House to keep making statements like it. It's either straight ahead misdirection or a deep understanding of basic market dynamics.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responding, saying, oil prices have dropped by about $15 over the past month, but prices at the pump have barely come down. That's not basic market dynamics, it's a market that is failing the American consumer.

Joining us now, Christine Romans, CNN's chief business correspondent and the anchor of "EARLY START."

All right, should the White House have doubled down on that tweet?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Look, Joe Biden wants lower gas prices and the people who sell gas also want lower gas prices. And here's why, 145,000 of the gas stations that you and I frequent, those are independently owned. And so when gas prices were racing higher earlier this spring, sometimes 20 cents wholesale price increase overnight. They could only pass on 10 cents a gallon because who was their competitor, the guy or gal across the street, who also has a big sign that shows their gas price. So they had to hold on to their customers.

[07:00:01]

They raised prices more slowly as oil prices were soaring after the Russian invasion.

And now, on the way down, they're trying to make up that margin. This happens every time.