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Shooting in Tennessee. Aired 13:30-14:00 ET.

Aired July 16, 2015 - 13:30   ET

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


[13:30:00] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Details momentarily we're told from Chattanooga police and also from the Mayor, Andy Burke. I have been pointing out to our viewers earlier tweeted horrific, horrific shooting. Horrific incident in our community. We'll release details as they are confirmed. Prayers to all those affected. We did get the separate tweet just moments ago. Active shooter situation is over. Details forthcoming. That from Chattanooga police.

Marilyn, you know this area, obviously. We understand that there were two shooting incidents one at the U.S. Navy Reserve Center on Amnicola highway in Chattanooga and then a separate incident at another Navy building not far away. Is that what - is that your understanding, as well?

MARILYN HUTCHESON, WITNESS: That's correct. On Lee highway.

BLITZER: On Lee highway. How far apart?

HUTCHESON: About five miles apart.

BLITZER: Five miles apart. The Navy Reserve Center, on Amnicola highway we know what that was. What was the other navy building on Lee highway? Do you know what they do there?

HUTCHESON: The other - it's a - it's a reserve center and it represents all four branches of the military. It's actually a recruiting office.

BLITZER: So it looks like whoever was responsible for this shooting was actively pursuing targets involving the U.S. military. As far as you know, Marilyn, you didn't see any shots being fired at regular civilians or retail shops or anything like that?

HUTCHESON: No. It was strictly directed at the military.

BLITZER: It was directed at the United States military. All right, Marilyn, stand by, we're going to get back to you. Marilyn Hutcheson is an eyewitness. She heard the gun fire. We heard her story. We're standing by to hear from the mayor, we're standing by to hear to the police department in Chattanooga. We're going to get more information from the United States Navy and from the Pentagon and much more of the breaking news coverage right after this.

[13:35:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Let's get back to the breaking news. I'm Wolf Blitzer

in Washington. We once again want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. Police say there is no longer an active shooter situation in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We're standing by. We're waiting for more details. Earlier the U.S. navy confirmed a shooting incident at a Navy recruiting center and the Navy said it was also investigating a second shooting at another Navy building about five miles away in Chattanooga.

The mayor there, Andy Burke, told the reporters that one officer is down. His word, down, in connection with the shooting. No details yet on the officer's condition. But we are hearing that there no reports of any deaths among U.S. military personnel. We're expecting to hear a lot more. We're standing by for a press conference, a statement from Chattanooga Police.

Also, we're standing by to hear from the mayor, Andy Burke, momentarily. That's coming in right away. So, as we get more information, we do know, fortunately, this tweet that was just released from Chattanooga police that the shooting incident seems to be over. But what exactly happened and how many injured and who the shooter or shooters were are clearly still unclear.

Active shooter situation you see is over. Details forthcoming. Matthew Fogg is here with us. He's a former Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal. Former member of the U.S. Marshal Special Operation Force.

You see these two incidents. You see those gunshots and those doors over there at that Navy - Navy - U.S. Navy facility. What goes through your mind?

MATTHEW FOGG, RETIRED CHIEF DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL: Well, as someone knew exactly what they wanted to do and they were using a high-powered automatic weapon that they could get a lot of rounds off at one time. They meant to hurt a lot of people. So bottomline is at least to see someone thought this thing through actively went in and was actively attempting to do some harm to the military people.

BLITZER: And both of the targets were U.S. Military targets.

FOGG: That's right. That's right. And the concern was it two different people or a conspiracy of people working together to do something to the military? That's - I'm sure the FBI and all the investigative agencies right now looking at that right now.

BLITZER: If you take a look at that, Matthew. Take a look at it, we'll show our viewers the pictures of the gunshots on that door. This was the incident that occurred on Lee highway. U.S. Navy incident. Take a look, I counted at least 12 or 15 shots there. You can imagine the damage, the death, the injuries that could have occurred.

FOGG: That's right. And when I see that, when I look at that I see an automatic weapon.

BLITZER: How can you tell that is an automatic weapon? FOGG: Because when you look at the sequence of the rounds, the

way they are fired, it just looks like they are fired in a rapid succession. So to me, that might - now, it could semi-automatic. But it looks like what an automatic weapon would do. In fact, that so many holes in one particular area. The person who said they saw him that they fired some rounds and then they stopped and that's what it sounds like to me.

BLITZER: One of the eyewitnesses simply said that the individual drove up, got out of the car and then went back in the car and took out a weapon and started firing. And you heard pop, pop, pop. You heard a lot of gunshots.

FOGG: That's exactly right. And again, as someone knew they canvassed the area and knew what they wanted to do. They looked around to see if any police were there and went and got that weapon and pulled it out and started firing. Maximum terror you know, to the people that there were on.

BLITZER: Matthew hold on. Evan Perez, our justice reporter is working this story. We know that the federal government is now involved. These are U.S. Navy, U.S. Military facilities, Evan, that were targeted. Tell us what you're learning.

EVAN PEREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. That immediately makes it a federal crime that we're dealing with right here. That's why the FBI and the ATF are at the scene. But, for now, local authorities are working the scene but we expect at some point this will become a federal crime scene handled by the FBI and the ATF as they try to figure out who this shooter is, where the weapon came from and right now we're told, as you mentioned just a minute ago, that the Navy is describing two separate scenes.

[13:40:00] So, that's part of the confusion here. Hopefully we're going to get some more clarification when this press conference gets under way there in Chattanooga. But right now what we know is the resources being sent. We have crime scene technicians and have evidence teams that are heading up there.

This is not far from Atlanta, obviously. And so it's very easy for them to get there and they will be trying to figure out exactly who this person was and what the motivation of this shooting was, Wolf.

BLITZER: Because two separate shooting incidents about five miles apart we're told Evan, both directed at U.S. military facilities. The U.S. naval recruiting facility and navy center there and one, some eyewitnesses said - says, eyewitness says, the shooter was driving a silver mustang convertible. Other eyewitnesses said they saw a Black BMW. That would suggest to me there may be more than one shooter. Have you heard anything like that?

PEREZ: We haven't heard, Wolf, whether or not there is more than one shooter. We're told what the Chattanooga police have now tweeted, which is that the situation is now over. Which indicates that they believe the shooter or shooters is dead. And, so at this point, we only know of one, really because of the

eyewitness reports, another confusion of the scene. Which happens all the time, obviously, in these types of incidents. We are waiting for some more clarification from the local authorities.

And Wolf, it bears to remind everyone that this has been a summer in which a lot of threats against these military facilities. Against police. So, that's what is also in the mind of federal officials as they respond to this scene. What are we dealing with here? Is there somebody who simply had a beef with the military or perhaps was rejected or something like that or something that turns into terrorism? We don't know yet, obviously. But that's, obviously, what they're approaching. That's the point of view they're approaching this with.

BLITZER: As you know, Evan, correct me if I'm wrong. A few weeks ago the U.S. military did go on a higher state of alert at all U.S. military facilities domestically, as well as internationally, right?

PEREZ: Right, exactly. The military increased its readiness, especially some - some particular facilities that felt there were some particular threats directed at those facilities increased their security levels.

But we do know it is a threat that is being seen around the country and even overseas. U.S. military facilities in, in U.K., for instance, over the 4th of July took some extra precautions.

And so, because there are these threats that are being broadcast and they're encouraging people who might be like-minded to attack U.S. military facilities, especially in light of all the military activities in the Middle East right now.

BLITZER: All right. Evan, stand by. Everyone stand by. We're going to continue to follow the breaking news. We're awaiting a statement and an update from Chattanooga police. We're also waiting to hear from the mayor of Chattanooga Andy Burke. Our special coverage will resume right after this quick break.

[13:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Once again, we're standing by for a news conference from Chattanooga police, from the Chattanooga mayor, Chattanooga police tweeting a little while ago active shooting situation is over. Details forthcoming. Let's find out what happened. Two separate shooting incidents both targeting U.S. military facilities in the Chattanooga area.

Let's go to CNN's Alexandra Field. She's been getting new information on what's going on. For our viewers here in the U.S. and around the world. Alexandra, for just tuning in, update us on what happened.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we're waiting right now to hear what happened to the shooter. We know the active shooting is over according to authorities but no word on what the shooter or shooters in or how that shooter or shooters may have been detained or taken down.

What we know from officials is that there were two separate shooting locations. The shots ringing out around 10:50 this morning in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We know that there shots fired at a Navy Reserve Center and also at a military recruiting center. According to our Barbara Starr, she has her sources that the shooter got out of the car and walked up to the recruiting center where a shooter began firing shots. We know that three navy personnel and a recruit were inside, but according to Barbara Starr and her sources, no military personnel were injured.

This all came to light this morning as it was unfolding when the mayor of Chattanooga tweeted that there had been a horrific incident and he also said that officer was down in regard to the shooting situation. There is no word yet on this officer's condition. We are waiting for that word when this press conference begins in just a short while.

But there was an immediate response as this unfolded over a period of several hours this morning, Wolf. A number of different locations taking every precaution possible. Hospitals, a university, a community college and even a mall all going into lockdown until after it was declared over by officials in that tweet just a while ago, Wolf.

BLITZER: We are now told that the news conference by the police and presumably the mayor, as well, will take place in 10 minutes, 15 minutes or so from now right at the top of the hour. Alexandra, thanks very much. I want to bring in Eva Lewis, right now a spokeswoman for the Chattanooga State Community College. Is your facility still on lockdown?

EVA LEWIS, SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: We are still on lockdown.

BLITZER: Why are you still on lockdown if the Chattanooga police say this incident has been resolved, it's over?

LEWIS: Well, I have to rely on my police department here on campus and they are in active communication with the city police. So, until we hear from them that everything is clear, then we remain on lockdown.

BLITZER: So, Chattanooga police have not told your campus police yet that all clear, go ahead, tell the students they can go out and about.

LEWIS: That's correct. And I just confirmed that by text message. So, we are still on lockdown.

BLITZER: So, - so, what does that mean, lockdown, as far as your campus is concerned? [13:50:00] LEWIS: Well, that means that everyone is staying in

the buildings and the doors are locked and our police personnel are monitoring. Police personnel are monitoring the situation and making sure that everything is secure and safe. As far as I know, the street in front of us, the Amnicola highway is still blocked off. So no one can come to or leave the campus.

BLITZER: That's what is going on right now. Hopefully this incident has been resolved. The Chattanooga police said a while ago the situation was over. So hopefully you'll get that word all clear and the students can go back to class. Go back to do what they are doing.

Eva, thanks very much for your update, appreciate it. Good luck to you and everyone in Chattanooga.

LEWIS: Thanks.

BLITZER: Matthew Fogg, is still with us formerly with the U.S. Marshal service. What would the U.S. Marshal be doing in a situation like this because you were involved in their special operations force.

FOGG: That's correct. They would assist anything that the Chattanooga police needed in controlling the perimeter because at this point in time, you want every law enforcement person to make sure nobody steps in that scene. You're really trying to secure the area, making certain that everything is secure. That's what they would do.

BLITZER: What's unclear to me, if the Chattanooga police tweets out at least half an hour ago or so, active shooter situation is over, we heard a spokesperson for the local Chattanooga State College saying we're still on lockdown. And we just checked moments ago, don't end that lockdown. What does that say to you? It's a little confusing.

FOGG: Well, it's a little confusing but better to be safe than insecure. So bottom line, I think what they are saying is, she's saying they have to get clearance and maybe he's not 100 percent certain, let me just be sure 100 percent before I let people go. It does say, again, there's a lot of things we don't know, if there were two shooters. When the police say everything is all clear, what does that mean? And we don't have that information.

BLITZER: Evan Perez, you're getting new information from your sources right now. It's still a little muddy what is going on, obviously. We don't know.

PEREZ: That's right. We still don't know. We have no reason to believe there's a second shooter. There's been confusing eyewitness reports that we've received there. So far, we don't believe that there's a second shooter. That shooter is the one that is dead, according to the local authorities and federal authorities working with them. As you and I were just talking about, Wolf, this summer has been a time of a lot of warnings about threats to military facilities around the country.

And so that's part of the thinking of federal law enforcement as they approach the scene. They are trying to figure out who this shooter is and what the motivation is. And so that is what is obviously one of the first things that they are looking at, is whether or not this was something that was related to any past threats that have been made to either this facility - it's not clear whether they received any specific threats or this is connected to the threats that we've been reporting on all summer in the United States.

Wolf?

BLITZER: Obviously this is an important development. We've just been told, Evan, that President Obama himself has been briefed by what is going on by his national security aides. So they are telling him what's going on. We should be getting, within the next few moments, a live update from Chattanooga police, from the mayor himself.

As soon as we get that information of course, we'll know what is going on, the latest information whether or not it has been completely resolved, whether the lockdown in the area can be lifted.

Matthew Fogg is still with me, former U.S. Marshal service. It's one of the situations that you don't want to speculate about motive but we do know that the two targets in this specific case involve the United States military, which raises a lot of suspicions. Could be some crazy guy who hates the U.S. military or it could be something sinister.

FOGG: That's correct. When you talk about the military, it sounds like they had a motive. When you talk about maximum terror effect, with all of the stuff going on with the military, right now, ISIS overseas, threats, the concerns, raising the threat level, if someone wanted to have maximum impact on the military and scared by it, that's what they would do, go to the military and do what this terrorist did.

BLITZER: We don't know who this individual is or what the motive is, if there was a conspiracy or anything like that. We'll get a lot more information at the top of the hour. We'll stay on top of this story. Obviously a significant story.

Once again, President Obama has been briefed by his national security team. We'll have complete coverage. That's it for me. I'll be back at 5:00 P.M. in "The Situation Room." CNN's live coverage of Chattanooga will resume right after this.

[13:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN's Breaking News.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Pamela Brown with CNN's breaking news coverage of a shooting at a Navy recruitment center. Too many gunshots to count, those words from a witness who says a gunmen fired around after around into this center in Chattanooga Tennessee.

We are waiting on a news conference right now. It supposed to happen any minute, this news conference will be held by Chattanooga police about the shooting with what's being described to CNN as a high powered rifle not apparently what the shooter has in his hand.

Right now, FBI and ATF are in the area and while the active situation is now over, authority say a temporary no fly zone has been imposed in the skies above Chattanooga and we're also now hearing, there may be another shooting in a separate site nearby.