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Gunman Opens Fire In Louisiana Movie Theater; Are Movie Theaters Safe? Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired July 24, 2015 - 05:30   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[05:30:01] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought they were caught watching a movie they weren't. Then I see a lady full of blood in a dress. Then they said there's a gun. I said (inaudible). I'm sorry. I just ran and she was telling me go.

The people she was with were telling me go. They were looking at me. Everyone was running and I was sitting there. I had no idea what was going on. I didn't understand what was happening at that moment.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Buying popcorn at the concession stand when the group of people, teenagers mainly, running out and telling people to run for their lives. After this, I thought it was teenagers playing a prank. Then I see another group coming out screaming the same thing. Then we saw a lady with blood all over her leg. I grabbed my child and we all ran.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Whenever a bunch of girls started screaming and came out of the theater saying someone got shot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And after that, what did you do?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We didn't know what happened yet. So then the guards came to us and told us to get out so we ran outside. They had a lady there with a dress and she had blood all over her.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Police described the shooter as a 58- year-old white male. They say he acted alone. They say he appeared to be firing a hand gun randomly.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM CRAFT, LAFAYETTE POLICE CHIEF: We do know the identity of the shooter. We are not releasing it at this time. We are right in the middle of the investigation. We don't want to affect the integrity or the investigators' ability to do their jobs and get information on the shooter.

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ROMANS: Four officers who entered the theater found the gunman dead. Governor Bobby Jindal describing the tragedy as, quote, "An awful night for Louisiana and the United States."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL (R), LOUISIANA: It is both shocking and frustrating and horrifying all at the same time. You are saddened and frustrated and angry. You read about these incidents across our country. You don't think it will happen in Louisiana. You don't think it will happen in Lafayette.

I got three young kids. They go to movies all the time. It's summer break. It's something we do routinely. It's something you don't think twice about as a parent. You don't think when your child goes to a movie they could be in harm's way at a movie.

This is a regular Thursday. When this evening started, this was a regular Thursday night for a lot of families. A lot of families or teachers, one last movie before they go back to school, for a lot of families, this is one last outing before school starts in several days or a couple weeks.

You never think that this could be the scene of a horrific shooting. I was angry and upset all of the same time. This shouldn't happen in our country. You certainly don't expect it to happen in your backyard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: For the latest on the shooting and how police are handling the investigation from here, let's bring in CNN law enforcement analyst, Cedric Alexander.

Thank you so much for being here this morning. Let me ask you quickly where the investigation goes from here. It looks like the shooter is dead. They've detonated some suspicious package in his car. That seems to be kind of routine. Now they need to find a motive.

CEDRIC ALEXANDER, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: This is very early in the investigation, Christine. What his motivation behind the shooting, I think as the morning and day continues on, we are going to gather more information in terms of what may have been on the shooter's mind.

Unfortunately, two innocent people and a number of other innocent people were seriously injured. Two people died as a result of this attack. It is horrific. It is very scary. We're in a time where we are beginning to see more and more of these shootings on a more frequent basis.

That certainly is creating a lot of pause in conversation with Americans across this country.

ROMANS: I'm sure with law enforcement as well. You talk about the frequency of this, a school, a church, a movie theater, repeat, a school, a church, a movie theater. It is as if someone who is hell bent on destruction, there are awful lot of soft targets around the country. How do we make them safe? ALEXANDER: Well, I think one issue there is going to have to be addressed and you heard the president earlier in his own frustration about gun laws in this country as well, too. I think that conversation is going to have to be engaged again by leadership in this country on both sides of the aisle.

Because here again, it is not to hurt those who are legal gun owners and out trying to do the right thing, but those who get their hands on the weapons and create such destruction and hurt innocent people is becoming more and more of an issue.

We don't know whether he had this particular subject was struggling with a mental health condition or he had some other motive in mind. But here again, I believe as the morning continues on, we will learn more and more behind what his motive may have been.

[05:35:02] ROMANS: Yes, we don't know if mental health is an issue here at all. We have seen it in other cases.

ALEXANDER: That's right.

ROMANS: We have seen, for example, Mohammad Abdulazeez with depression. Dylann Roof had a couple of arrests, I think and also was able to get high power weapons. In this case, it was a hand gun. It was a 58-year-old white male who is now deceased. What are investigators going to be scrubbing his background for? What is the first thing they will look for?

ALEXANDER: Well, certainly, they are going to go and make some determination of what his criminal history has been. They are going to go back and talk to people who know him, family, friends, and neighbors. Really develop a profile of shooter over a period of time.

As their investigation continues, I think what we're going to see is evolution of information that will provide us with some very clear information as to what his motive may have been.

I'm quite sure they are going to find themselves at his home with a search warrant going through properties there as well to looking at any data he may have had on his computer or anyone that he may have talked to, but trying to assess and develop a profile as to who he is.

Here is the other thing that is interesting, too, Christine. It used to be a time when we could usually provide some profile of an individual and say this person, this age, this race, this gender was involved in this heinous crime.

What we are beginning to see and I think you are seeing it as well too in your reporting that we are seeing a variety of individuals who are involved in these types of heinous attacks against other Americans.

ROMANS: Yes, all too frequently, I'm afraid. All right, Cedric Alexander, thank you so much for your analysis this morning in the early hours of this investigation. We will rely on you I'm sure more as we continue. We are following new information on the Louisiana shooting all morning long. Are movie theaters becoming easy targets for gunmen? We're breaking it down live next.

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[05:40:57]

ROMANS: Welcome back. We are following the tragic breaking news from Lafayette, Louisiana, three dead, including the gunman, in a shooting in a movie theater Thursday night. Nine others wounded.

Police telling us the shooter is a 58-year-old white male. He opened fire inside the crowded theater before turning the gun on himself. This happened during a screening of the film "Trainwreck." The movie's star, Amy Schumer, tweeted "My heart is broken. All my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana."

The witnesses described a scene of chaos and horror. We are also hearing stories of bravery.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JINDAL: Tonight's tragedy, you're beginning to hear stories of heroism and self-sacrifice. A couple of the teachers at a movie together, one of the teachers literally jumped on top of the other and took a bullet that could have hit the second teacher in the head.

The second teacher was injured, was shot, but not life threatening. She was one of the ones discharged last night. Despite being injured, the second teacher was able to pull the fire alarm, and helped to save other lives.

When you think about it, two friends together, one jumps in the way of a bullet to save her friend's life. The other one even though she's shot, pulls the fire alarm, saves other people's lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The nine people injured in the shooting are said to range from their late teens to their 60s. Just last week, the mass murderer, James Holmes was found guilty of killing 12 people and wounding 70 others inside an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.

Now that it's happened again, a lot of people are wondering if movie theaters are safe. I want to bring in CNN's senior media correspondent and host of "RELIABLE SOURCES," Brian Stelter.

We didn't see really overt changes to movie theaters post-Aurora. You know, I would see signs that say no handguns and occasionally a security guard by an exit. Do you think that there will be a discussion about greater security at movie theaters? These are soft targets.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is hard to imagine a metal detector for example when you walk into a multiplex. It is also sad to imagine that. Part of the experience of going to the movies is that it is freewheeling. That you can walk right in.

That you might sneak in and see a second movie afterwards, right, it is that kind of freedom that people appreciate about going to the movies. You also think about what happened last night. It's a hot Thursday night in Louisiana.

This is a place where you can go cool off and get in the air conditioning. It is a shame whenever we see a soft target. Whenever we see something like this associated with entertainment and fun and joy, now being marred by violence.

I think theater owners will have to comment today. They have to give guidance and information about security measures. But what we will see is -- there is no indication of what we will see is dramatic because it would really change the very -- the experience of going to the movies if there was more security.

ROMANS: You know, the theater owner could make the point that it's more dangerous driving to the movie theater than being in the movie theater statistically these are rare. But they get so much attention because you are a sitting duck in a movie theater. It is dark. You know, your caution is suspended because you are focused on something else.

STELTER: That's right. You actually have to be relaxed and let your caution go and be immersed on the screen. You know, we were talking about Aurora and the massacre there three years ago. Almost exactly three years ago.

It was actually late on a Thursday night, a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight" in that case in 2012. There are actually a number of civil lawsuits now against the theatre owner, Cinemark from the family members of the victims, who say there was inadequate security, who say more should and could have been done.

Now in that case, the shooter was able to come in through one of the exits, was able to come in that way. So there is a very specific reason for those cases. The trial of James Holmes had to conclude first before those civil suits can move forward.

So there are some trial dates for 2016. That will be a test to see how the courts come down, this issue of security in movie theaters and whether theatre owners should have been doing more in that case.

ROMANS: You mentioned James Holmes and there is also Dylann Roof. That's the example of the young man in Charleston who killed people recently and Mohammad Abdulazeez who targeted military people.

These are all different cases, but those are all cases of young men maybe with mental illness, clearly with a lot of personal problems, failure to sort of launch in their own life, who then somehow picked a soft target and really do all of this damage.

[05:45:10] We don't know the profile of the person who is the shooter, the 58 years old, white male. We don't know the motive is yet, but they will be digging into what is the motive of this person and why did that person choose a movie theater.

STELTER: The way you are describing those most recent mass shooters sounds similar even to the shooters in Columbine 20 years ago. There is a very consistent thread from that.

ROMANS: And Sandy Hook. Let's listen to the president. The president talked to BBC before the shooting --

STELTER: Consider the timing here that he actually gave this interview hours beforehand.

ROMANS: Listen to what the president said here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The one area where I feel that I have been most frustrated and most stymied is the fact that the United States of America is the one advanced nation on earth in which we do not have sufficient common sense gun safety laws.

Even in the face of repeated mass killings and if you look at the number of Americans killed since 9/11 by terrorism, it is less than 100. If you look at the number that have been killed by gun violence, it's in the tens of thousands.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: That's the president who privately and publicly very frustrated with the gun violence that happened while he has been president.

STELTER: What is the narrative for the president this summer? It's that he has the wind on his back that he is making a lot of progress on a lot of his priorities that he has momentum and had a lot of victories recently. This is an issue where he can cite no such victory. This is an issue where he is stymied to the greater degree than any other issue that has followed him and been with him during his presidency.

ROMANS: There is a great deal of disagreement about how to fix it. You have gun laws already. How do you fix it? That's where it starts. Everyone wants fewer people to die from gun violence. Everyone wants that. How do you fix it? That's the real --

STELTER: There is a guest on CNN last night when I was on, a person talking about how he brings his handgun. He has a concealed carry permit, bring it every time he goes to the movie theater now ever since Aurora because of his concern about a movie theater.

Obviously, statistically, theaters are very safe. It's one of the safest places as you can be. Something like this shatters that perception and it will take time to build it back up.

ROMANS: Brian Stelter, thank you for that.

All right, we are following latest on the Louisiana movie theater shooting all morning long, but first, Donald Trump on the border answering questions about the possibility of a third party run next.

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[05:51:23]

ROMANS: The latest now on the breaking news from the shooting at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana. Two people killed. Nine others wounded. The 58-year-old shooter taking his own life. We do not have a motive right now.

Police are investigating. They are withholding the shooter's name. We know he does have a criminal record, but no arrest in recent years. The wounded victims range in age from late teens to 60s. Three patients are in very serious condition at this hour.

At this hour, the president, President Obama is on his way to Kenya, his father's homeland. He arrives this afternoon, but he will not be visiting his father's ancestral village because of logistical and security issues.

The president will get a chance to meet privately with his relatives. He will meet with the Kenyan president who is expected to ask for U.S. aid to fight the terror group, al-Shabaab. President Obama visits Ethiopia after his stop in Kenya.

Donald Trump forced to pivot when he arrived at the Texas-Mexico border Thursday. The GOP frontrunner was invited to visit Thursday by the Border Patrol Union, but they uninvited him at the last minute.

Trump forged to fielded questions about his plans for the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants and whether a wall should be built along the Mexico border. He didn't a lot of specifics. He said he would build a wall and he would Mexico pay for it, but he did address whether he plans to run as a third party candidate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm a Republican. I'm a conservative. I'm running. I'm in first place by a lot it seems according to the polls. I want to run as a Republican. I want to get the nomination. The best way to win is for me to get the nomination and run probably against Hillary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Trump insisted a wall is needed to protect some parts of the border with Mexico. He did not offer a specific plan for immigration reform telling reporters a secure border is the first priority.

We are following the latest on the Louisiana movie theater shooting all morning long. Three dead and nine injured. New information for you right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:56:47] ROMANS: Let's get an EARLY START on your money, Friday edition. Alison Kosik is here for that. The Dow down another 119 points yesterday. Earnings has been a problem.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a little volatility there, you know, after yesterday's losses, the Dow is actually back in negative territory for the year. The lousy earnings coming from American Express and 3M, those weighed on the index.

Now those disappointing corporate report cards actually overshadowed positive news on the jobs front. First time claims for unemployment benefits are at their lowest level in 42 years. Now at the moment, U.S. futures are up. We are also seeing European markets in the green.

You know the $15 minimum wage? The CEO of Dunkin Donuts calling it absolutely outrageous. The New York State Wage Board recommended yesterday that fast food workers make at least $15 per hour.

But the Dunkin' brands executive says that plan will actually do more harm than good saying his company will have to hire fewer people because of it.

Instead what he says is that he supports a wage near $12 per hour so he is not against minimum wage, Christine, he is against raising it so quickly.

ROMANS: Interesting. They may have to raise menu prices. All right, thank you so much for that, Alison.

OK, new information this morning in a deadly movie theater shooting. We are following all of these new developments. "NEW DAY" picks it up right now.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. It is Friday, July 24th, 6:00 in the east.

There was gunfire in a theater. A man opened fire inside a Lafayette, Louisiana theater during the previews. Chaos that ended as suddenly as it began with two dead and then the gunman turning it on himself. Nine others wounded in the shooting at least one in critical condition.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: What we do know this morning, the scene is very active. We are being told teachers are being credited with saving lives.

We want to bring you up to date on the story. We have the story covered from every angle. Let's get right to Ed Lavandera live in Lafayette, Louisiana, the site of that terrible crime -- Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Michaela. Well, inside -- investigators are inside the theater where the shooting erupted to piece together the evidence and going through clues to figure out why all of this happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police have the Grand 16 on Johnston Street on lockdown.

LAVANDERA: Breaking overnight, a gunman opens fires in a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana leaving at least seven wounded, some with possible life threatening injuries and three dead including the 58-year-old male shooter who turned the gun on himself.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We know the identity of the shooter. We are not releasing it at this time. We are right in the middle of this investigation and we don't want to impact the investigators' ability to do their job.

LAVANDERA: Just 20 minutes into the showing of Amy Schumer's comedy "Trainwreck" at the Grand 16 theatre. The scene turned into something from a horror movie, bullets flying as the gunman described by authorities as a lone white male stood up and began shooting the hand gun into the audience.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We saw a lady with blood all over her leg. We all ran.

LAVANDERA: Police dispatched to the scene about 7:30 p.m. Central Time. Witnesses described the terrifying ordeal as something like a war. Gunshot after gunshot as patrons fled the theater --