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>> this is "new day" with alisyn camerota and john berman. >> welcome to our viewers in the united states and all around the world. this is "new day." erica hill is with me this morning. developing overnight, security increased in cities across the country. new concerns of anti-asian crime after a deadly murder spree near atlanta targeting the massage parlors. at least eight people killed. according to the "atlanta journal constitution," six of them were asian women. >> a suspect, 26-year-old robert aaron long is in custody and police are not talking about a motive but the concern that these shootings could be racially motivated is real. ryan young is in atlanta with the late-breaking details for us. good morning. >> reporter: erica, just a devastating attack. leaving a lot of people in the community asking why. you can see one of the massage parlors across the street here and this was surrounded by police for hours and we're waiting to hear what the motive was. a shooting rampage at three spas in the atlanta metro area tuesday, leaving eight people dead and one wounded. police apprehending one suspect, 21-year-old robert aaron long of georgia. video evidence suggests it's extremely likely that one person was responsible. >> the georgia state troopers performed a pit maneuver. and the suspect was taking into custody. >> reporter: the first one took place at the young's asian massage and two people die at the scene and two more died at the hospital. one individual is also wounded. >> in 2020 we had one homicide in cherokee county and we have had at least three today. so it's pretty shocking for not only our responding deputies and public safety but for the community here. we take this very serious. >> reporter: the other two took place, the first at gold spa and while police responded they learned of another across the street at aromatherapy spa. atlanta police say this investigation is a high priority. >> we do have some witnesses that were in the location around the location. it is an extreme priority for us. >> reporter: according to atlanta police, the suspect's vehicle was seen at the crime scene at cherokee county and also on the same street at the shootings in atlanta. >> we heard numerous gunshots coming from across the street. >> i won't say they any names but they're nice girls. they do great massages over here so it's just unfortunate. >> reporter: authorities tell the "atlanta journal constitution" six of the victims were asian women and police had no immediate indication of a motive for the shootings. but the killings came at a time when attacks on asian-americans have increased is since the coronavirus pandemic and that's left some questioning if race played a role. stop aaip hate, the nation's leading group called the deaths an unspeakable tragedy and added the latest attack will only exasperate the fear and pain that the asian-american community continues to endure. john, one of the things we're waiting for today there may be a news conference with several involved in this. let's not forget that georgia state patrol officer was able to make the pit maneuver on the roadway after the great description came from cherokee county. we're hoping that police can also tie all of the little pieces of this investigation together for us and give us a motive. >> ryan young for us in the area of the crime, thank you so much for being there for us. please keep us posted. we're waiting to hear from law enforcement as the morning progresses. i want to bring in the former public safety director for dekalb county. look, law enforcement has not released any evidence of a racial motivation yet, but obviously there are questions and concerns this morning. the "atlanta journal constitution" reporting six of the eight victims were asian. we know there's a rise in anti-asian crime across the country. so how is this being investigated now? what would you do to answer that burning question that so many people are asking? >> well, i think as evidence continues to be collected as a result of what happened last night, and i think we all could pretty much reasonably assume, john, that considering this climate that we're in today, living in this pandemic, we certainly have seen an uptick of attacks towards asian-americans across this country. and actually, since march of last year. up until february of this year, there's been over 3,800 cases that have been reported of attacks toward asian-americans in this country, primarily in the large -- in many of our large cities across the country. but we also have to keep in mind that a lot of these events are incidents that are not being reported at all, so the numbers are far greater. i think we can reasonably conclude that race is going to play a part in all of this so now it's incumbent on all of us as americans to make sure we're in tune with our asian communities and we're there to provide the support that they need as they go through this very horrific time in the history of this nation. >> so what do you go, go through social media, searching the car for any kind of evidence, interviewing associates? if it does bear out that this was racially motivated then an obvious concern would be if there are others involved or is this on just on him? >> that's absolutely true, but we must consider the fact that there are attitudes out there in this country that people believe somehow that asian-americans and they all get lumped into one group, even though we know that there are a variety of asian-americans across the globe, around the globe from a variety of different countries. but asian-americans are pigeon holed like many other minority groups in this country, and then many will deem somehow as a result of this pandemic they're the cause of it. and that is not true whatsoever. so i think it's important for us to acknowledge that this type of racist attitude do exist and here again i think we can reasonably conclude that there's going -- that race is going to be a variable in all. but i know -- i certainly do -- i'm optimistic enough that we as a nation, all of us, are going to take some responsibility and do what we can to make sure that every american, and particularly asian-americans in this country feel safe. so many police departments across this country at this very moment are taking actions and going into the asian-american community and making sure that high levels of patrols and connectivity to the communities more so than ever is now being practiced. but this is something i believe that we will get through, but we cannot minimize this in any regard. >> what specific precautions would you take? >> well, i would tell you what i would do if i were chief. i would reach out to the asian-american communities and i would make sure they feel comfortable in contacting us if need be. so that -- [ indiscernible ]. other citizens throughout our entire -- to make sure that they stay very vigilant and keep their eyes and ears open. the statistics, the data, is clearly stating to us there's an uptick in these types of attacks, both passive and aggressive. so we need to take some real action. >> thank you very much for this. the president has now been briefed, the president has been briefed on these shootings. eight people dead in the atlanta area and we're expecting a news conference this morning. we'll bring it to you live when it happens. we want to go to jeremy diamond who has more on that. >> reporter: good morning. we have a statement from the white house press secretary, jen psaki, she said that the president was briefed overnight. quote, white house officials have been in touch with the mayor's office and will remain in touch with the fbi. so clearly, the white house keeping a close eye on this, of course it was just last week that president biden talk about the uptick in violence against asian-americans in the united states and he condemned it wholeheartedly in his first primetime address in the oval office as he addressed the coronavirus pandemic. some other news happening overnight and that is president biden's comments on the filibuster in this interview with abc news. the president for the first time offering his most direct endorsement yet of overhauling the filibuster process. he's not talking about eliminating the filibuster altogether. which is what some progressive democrats would like to see the president's support in the senate. but he is talking about major reforms, requiring senators to actually hold the floor and talk if they want to object to legislation. listen. >> i don't think you have to eliminate the filibuster. you have to do what it used to be when i first got to the senate and back in the old days when you used to be around there and that is that if a filibuster, you had to stand up and command the floor. and you had to keep talking -- you couldn't call for, you know -- no one could say quorum call. once you stopped talking, you lost that and someone can say i move the question of. so you have to work for the filibuster. >> so you're for the reform, you're for bringing back the talking filibuster? >> i am. that's what it was supposed to be. >> now, the press secretary said that the president would not advocate for any changes to the filibuster, not even that he was opposed to eliminating it, but he was opposed to reforms. clearly his position has changed or the statements last week was inaccurate. there can be a scorched earth reform in the senate. >> thank you. president biden also talked about the surge at the southern border. and had a message for migrants who may be thinking about heading to the u.s. that's next. need a change of scenery? kayak searches hundreds of travel sites for flights with no change fees. so you can book a great deal now, and always change later. kayak. search one and done. pain hits fast. so get relief fast. only tylenol rapid release gels have laser-drilled holes. they release medicine fast for fast pain relief. tylenol rapid release gels. some say this is my greatest challenge ever. they release medicine fast but i've seen centuries of this. with a companion that powers a digital world, traded with a touch. the gold standard, so to speak ;) we're carvana, the company who invented car vending machines and buying a car 100% online. now we've created a brand-new way for you to sell your car. whether it's a year old or a few years old. we wanna buy your car. so go to carvana and enter your license plate answer a few questions. and our techno wizardry calculates your car's value and gives you a real offer in seconds. when you're ready, we'll come to you, pay you on the spot and pick up your car, that's it. so ditch the old way of selling your car, and say hello to the new way at carvana. see every delivery... every yikes... and even every awwwwwwww... wait, where was i? introducing self protection from xfinity. designed to put you in control. with real-time notification and a week of uninterrupted recording... all powered by reliable, secure wifi from xfinity. gotta respect his determinatio. it's easy and affordable to get started. get self protection for $10 a month. president biden sending the clearest message yet to migrants at the southern border. >> first of all, the idea that joe biden said come, because i heard the other day because they're coming because they know i'm a nice guy. >> they're saying this? >> yeah. here's the deal. they're not. >> do you have to say quite clearly, don't come? >> yes. i can say quite clearly don't come and what we're in the process of getting set up, don't leave your town or city or community. >> joining us now cnn political analyst maggie haberman from the new york times. the most telling words might be quite clearly. why do you think the president was sending that message? >> john, i think that's right and i think, look, the numbers at the border particularly the numbers related to unaccompanied children have been alarming to immigration advocates and to the administration, which, you know, knows that they need to get their hands around this and regardless of what is causing it that there is a crisis and it's something they need to deal with. biden sending the message because many people made the point because people had heard -- seen biden as a welcoming presence. he reversed a number of former president trump's policies that were seen as restrictionist and people got the message that it was safe to come up to the border and biden is sending a clear message, that's what he wanted to say, that is not what this administration is doing. that does not mean everything is black versus white, trump versus biden, and it's easy to demagogue. but without saying it, he is saying we need to get our arms around this and then there can be a discussion later. >> if not black and white, but as we know when it comes to politics things can feel kind of black and white in the way that they're presented and republicans certainly taking this as a moment, maggie. >> republicans have been arguing that this is an example of open border policy. we have seen republicans focus on this issue in part because as i said it's very easy to demagogue and it's easier for republicans to talk about than say the stimulus package which some republicans might be opposed to what's in it a number of their voters actually like that package because it's going to provide help after a very difficult year for people and because there are visuals from the border which are also very easy to explain to people and there are a number of republicans who have a significant policy difference with this administration on this topic. all of those reasons are why they're talking about it. and the biden administration knows that. so they are trying to get their arms around this. but there are some -- and again, it is not as i said this is not black and white. not entirely for political reasons, there are some who are predicting a more extensive crisis if things don't slow down which is why you heard what president biden said last night. >> i think the most surprising part of the president's interview with george stephanopoulos was when they discussed new york governor andrew cuomo. let's listen to that. >> in the investigation confirms the claims of the women, should he resign? >> yes, i think he probably will end up being prosecuted too. a woman should be presumed to be telling the truth and should not be scapegoated and become victimized by her coming forward. number one. but there should be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true. >> a lot of people saw that and said wow. look, to leap into the idea that the governor can be prosecuted, that can't help the governor. >> no, that was stunning. i can't imagine that governor cuomo was happy about that because at the moment no one is talking about prosecution and president biden introduced that into the conversation. it's not criminal, it's a fact-based investigation about what happened. so he also affirmed he thinks if it's concluded that governor cuomo engaged in misconduct he should resign and that's very different than what he had said on sunday night on a topic that president biden has been trying to avoid getting dragged into for a variety of reasons. i don't know if this moves the ball forward but it suggests that president biden who is one of two people who can impact cuomo's faith, the other being karl hastings in new york, he needs to take a step back publicly too. >> it's interesting to see what more unfolds. more reaction to the comments. there's been a lot of talk about how helpful former president trump could be in terms of vaccine hesitancy, specifically among his supporters. so he actually addressed that, calling in and saying he thinks people should get the shot, right? he sort of understands if you may want to, but he thinks it's a good idea. we do have the sound, i'm sorry. i can play that. >> i would recommend it and i would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly, but, you know, again, we have our freedoms and we have to live by that and i agree with that also. but it's a great vaccine, it's a safe vaccine and it's something that works. >> a little couching in there but that's the way it rolls without the former president. impact, what do you think that could have? >> i think it's important that he said it. i think there have been -- there's been clear polling that conservatives are very hesitant about this vaccine. and part of the reason that people believe that is the case -- i mean, there are a number of reasons but one that can mitigate is former president trump talking to the supporters. i think it was unequivocal, i don't want to understate that. but how ingrained the attitudes are about the vaccine and how much he repeatedly told his supporters that the coronavirus was done, i'm not sure that one interview will do the trick. if he wants to do something it would take a sustained service campaign. with we'll see, i'll be surprised that could happen, but it could. >> let's hope he continues to speak to people as clearly as he did last night on that subject. maggie haberman, thanks. so coronavirus cases now rising in more than a dozen states. what do these rising case numbers tell us? 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>> i don't think so. there are two things working against the virus, one is the weather. as it gets more warmer and humid it is more difficult for the virus to get transmitted and more people are getting vaccinated. in general, the trend for both cases and hospitalizations and deaths have been down. but i do think the next six to eight weeks could be rough. we're not there yet, it's still winter and it's just hard to watch people sort of all come together for the spring breaks, you know, maskless, not social distancing. i think there may be a couple surges related to that. i feel badly for the cdc. they're allowing some people some freedoms but people have opened the doors and opened businesses makes sense, but doing that at the same time you release mask mandates doesn't make any sense. >> obviously as we see the cases going up in ontario and in canada, there are concerns of a third wave there as well. i makes vaccination all that much more important and we heard from president biden on the subject and i think what is a perceived increase in vaccine hesitancy as well. let's listen to this. >> how do you get the politics out of this vaccine talk? >> i honest thought to god we had it out. once we guaranteed enough vaccine for everybody, things would start to calm down. well, they