Epidemic in this country, but we have a hate epidemic hate has no place in our country. Just ahead, the stories of bravery, people helping people, as the gunfire rang out. I feel i was put on the earth to help people. Its happened again, today, monday, august 5th, 2019 announcer from nbc news, this is today with Savannah Guthrie and hoda kotb, live from studio 1a in Rockefeller Plaza good morning, everybody. Welcome to today on a monday morning. Wish we could come on the air with a smile on our faces and something happy to tell you, but unfortunately, we cant. It is just another terrible, terrible moment in our history absolutely. We want to get right to the outpouring of grief in two closeknit communities and across the nation following this weekends backtoback outbreak of gun violence. Vigils were held in el paso and dayton, ohio, overnight to honor the victims. 29 People Killed more than 50 others injured. As for the investigations, they have quickly revealed the troubled pasts of the gunmen including an alleged hit list by the dayton shooter. These are the 17th and 18th Mass Shootings in america just this year. The president plans to make a statement from the white house this morning outrage and frustration has led to calls for lawmakers to come back to washington during this august recess for an emergency session on what to do next we have it all covered, including the investigations, the victims, the nationwide response to the tragedies. Lets go to lester holt in el paso in a moment we want to start in dayton with this extraordinary vigil that happened overnight craig, good morning to you reporter hey, savannah, good morning to you, as well. I am just feet away from a makeshift vigil that popped up in front of this bar, ned peppers, here in dayton, ohio. This is where a gunman was able to kill nine people and injure 27 more. He did it in less than 60 seconds. I was at that vigil that you just mentioned last night. The grief palpable, but the frustration was honestly just as palpable this morning though, remarkable stories of heroism, bravery, and complete strangers out for a night of fun who just stopped and tried to save some lives. And tried to save some lives moments of mourning turning to frustration in dayton. Do something do something reporter people demanding action from lawmakers on stage just hours after dayton became the latest city shattered by a mass shooting. 31 injured, 9 lives lost among them, 25yearold Thomas Mcnichols. His aunt remembering the father of four as a gentle giant who loved his family he was about love no matter what, he always said, i love you reporter logan turner who reportedly celebrated his 30th birthday was the worlds best son according to his mother. At 57 years old, derrick fudge was the oldest victim. The youngest, 22yearold megan betts. Police identifying her brother connor betts as the gunman the siblings traveled to the downtown area together but separated at some point before he opened fire we have an active shooter on 5th street Reporter Video from early sunday morning shows people running for their lives as police say the 24yearold, armed with an Assault Rifle and high capacity magazines, shot into a crowded street while wearing a mask and body armor. You could see the bodies actually start to fall then we knew it was bigger than just even a shootout reporter alise and catherine can be seen sprinting to safety outside a bar. The women later describing the chaos to kate snow. Were just lucky and so blessed to be here right now. If he would have turned to his right, we would be dead right now. Reporter patrol officers killing betts moments before he ran inside. Threat was neutralized in approximately 30 seconds of the suspect firing his first shot. Reporter melissa says she dated betts earlier this year. What was he like yeah. He was quiet he was respectful. Reporter were there warning signs . Not that i ever saw reporter former classmates and School Officials detailed red flags to the dayton daily news, telling the paper betts was once kicked out of high school after he made a hit list. Nbc news has not verified the report craig, youve been on the ground there a few hours as you mentioned, you feel the sense of frustration within the community. What are you hearing . Reporter the vigil last night, savannah, you talk to folks here in dayton, and this is a city that has been through a lot in just a few months there was, of course, the tornadoes that touched down here a few months ago that left hundreds of businesses and homes destroyed. The mayor telling me just a few minutes ago that this is a community thats in shock. You know, weve been to so many of these cities now, and everywhere you go, the people, the mayors, they all tell you the same thing, we never thought it would happen here this isnt something that happens in a place like dayton, ohio there are also so many stories emerging of people who were in this busy district who jumped in to help. People who nurses who stopped to perform cpr on complete strangers after the shooting had stopped. Thats the kind of place dayton is thats the kind of people that live here in this city the best of us and the worst of us in a matter of moments craig, thank you very much well be back with you throughout the morning. Lets turn to the outpouring of grief in el paso. The scene of that second mass shooting in less than 24 hours federal investigators focused on the shooters apparent motive of hate Nbcs Lester Holt is in el paso with that part of the story. Lester, good morning. Reporter good morning. Authorities are treating this as a case of domestic terrorism after the gunman opened fire at a walmart here on saturday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more the store was packed with families, many of them shopping for back to School Supplies. The victims ranging from 2 to 82 years old. Overnight, thousands in el paso gathered in grief. Residents holding up their phones during a vigil to honor the lives lost in saturdays massacre this closeknit community shattered after gunfire tore through a local walmart. Saw people start running from him. Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. Just increased rapid fire to get as many people as he could to kill. Reporter 67yearold arturo benvanides was shopping with his wife when he was shot and killed. Announcer this is an nbc news special report. Heres Savannah Guthrie. We take you now to comments by the president on the shootings in el paso and dayton, ohio. Were killed or wounded in two evil attacks. One saturday morning in el paso, texas, a wicked man went to a Walmart Store where families were shopping with their loved ones. He shot and murdered 20 people and injured 26 others including precious little children. Then in the early hours of sunday morning, dayton, ohio, another twisted monster opened fire on a crowded downtown street. He murdered nine people including his own sister and injured 27 others. The first lady and i join all americans in praying and grieving for the victims, their families, and the survivors. We will stand by their side forever. We will never forget. These barbaric slaughters are an assault upon our communities, an attack upon our nation, and a crime against all of humanity. We are outraged and sickened by this monstrous evil, the cruelty, the hatred, the malice, the bloodshed, and the terror. Our hearts are shattered for every family whose parents, children, husbands and wives were ripped from their arms and their lives. America weeps for the fallen. We are a loving nation and our children are entitled to grow up in a just, peaceful, and loving society. Together, we lock arms to shoulder the grief. We ask god in heaven to ease the anguish of those who suffer and we vow to act with urgent resolve. I want to thank the many Law Enforcement personnel who responded to these atrocities with the extraordinary grace and courage of american heroes. I have spoken with Texas Governor greg abbott and Ohio Governor mike dewine as well as mayor demargo of el paso, texas, and mayor nan waley of dayton, ohio, to express our profound sadness and unfailing support. Today, we also send the condolences of our nation to president obrador of mexico and all the people of mexico for the loss of their citizens in the el paso shooting. Terrible, terrible thing. I have also been in close contact with attorney general barr and fbi director ray. Federal authorities are on the ground and i have directed them to provide any and all assistance required, whatever is needed. The shooter in el paso posted a manifesto online consumed by racist hate. In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy. These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in america. Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart, and devours the soul. We have asked the fbi to identify all further resources they need to investigate and disrupt hate crimes and domestic terrorism, whatever they need. We must recognize that the internet has provided a dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed mind and perform demented acts. We must shine light on the Dark Recesses of the internet and stop mass murders before they start. The internet, likewise, is used for human trafficking, illegal Drug Distribution and so many other heinous crimes. The perils of the internet and social media cannot be ignored, and they will not be ignored. In the two decades since columbi columbine, our nation has watched with rising horror and dread as one mass shooting has followed another over and over again, decade after decade. We cannot allow ourselves to feel powerless. We can and will stop this evil contagion. In that task, we must honor the sacred memory of those we have lost by acting as one people. Open wounds cannot heal if we are divided. We must seek real bipartisan solutions. We have to do that in a bipartisan manner. That will truly make america safer and better for all. First we must do a better job of identifying and acting on Early Warning signs. I am directing the department of justice to work in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies as well social Media Companies to develop tools to detect mass shooters before they strike. As an example the monster in the Parkland High School in florida had many red flags against him and yet nobody took decisive action. Nobody did anything. Why not . Second, we must stop the glorification of violence in our society. This includes the gruesome and grisly video games that are now comm commonplace. It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence. We must stop or substantially reduce this, and it has to begin immediately. Cultural change is hard. But each of us can choose to build a culture that celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every human life. Thats what we have to do. Third, we must reform our Mental Health laws to better identify mentally disturbed individuals who may commit acts of violence and make sure those people not only get treatment but when necessary involuntary confinement. Mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun. Fourth, we must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to Public Safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do, those firearms can be taken through rapid due process. Thats why i have called for red flag laws also known as extreme Risk Protection orders. Today, im also directing the department of justice to propose legislation ensuring that those who commit hate crimes and mass murders face the Death Penalty and that this Capital Punishment be delivered quickly, decisively, and without years of needless delay. These are just a few of the areas of cooperation that we can pursue. I am open and ready to listen and discuss all ideas that will actually work and make a very big difference. Republicans and democrats have proven that we can join together in a bipartisan fashion to address this plague. Last year, we enacted the stop School Violence into law providing grants to improve School Safety and strengthening critical background checks for firearm purchases. At my direction, the department of justice banned bump stocks. Last year we prosecuted a Record Number of firearms offenses. But there is so much more that we have to do. Now is the time to set destructi destructive partisanship aside so destructive and find the courage to answer hatred with unity, devotion, and love. Our future is in our control. America will rise to the challenge. We will always have and we always will win. The choice is ours and ours alone. It is not up to mentally ill monsters. It is up to us. If we are able to pass great legislation after all of these years, we will ensure that those who were attacked will not have died in vain. May god bless the memory of those who perished in toledo. And may god protect them. May god protect all of those from texas to ohio. May god bless the victims and their families. May god bless america. Thank you very much. Thank you. President trump speaking for about nine minutes on the pair of shootings that took place over the weekend in el paso, texas, and dayton, ohio, calling them a crime against humanity, saying americans were outraged and sickened by it. Called it bar baric slaughter of innocent lives and talked about steps he believes should happen with some rechbs references to particular legislation on the issue of guns which is, of course, something a lot of people were waiting to hear. What did you take away from the statements . Reporter it was notable he did call for four steps including legislation essentially dealing with red flag laws. What does this mean . This means that authorities or family members can petition to have weapons taken away from an individual who they deem to be dangerous to themselves or to the community. Of course, democrats will call for expanded background checks in addition to that. They want the senate to come back into session to deal with this. No indication thats going to happen. Much more to discuss, of course, on this issue. Well have a lot more on nbc news. Com and msnbc. Lester holt with a full wrt wit on nightly news. Well return most of you to today. This has been a special report surface laptop lasts longer. Hmm, interesting. And which ones faster . This ones faster. Really . Amazing. Which one has a better touchscreen . The surface has a better touchscreen. Because it actually has a touchscreen. Oh, right. Macs dont have touchscreens. You should get a surface. Trust me, im mac book. Well, there you have it. Mac book says, get a surface. Good monday morning. Im hrlgz meteorologist kari ha. The Golden Gate Bridge covered with fog. We will see low visibility coming out of the north bay, mist and drizzle throughout the day. A lot of the inland areas will see a few more clouds moving by and a slight increase in humidity. Were looking at highs in the upper 80s and cooling down as we go throughout the week, with some lower 80s by wednesday and thursday. In San Francisco, were staying in the mid60s throughout the week, with a slight increase and a nice warmup for the weekend forecast. Thats your latest forecast dylan, thank you so much. Coming up, we have much more on the shootings that have rocked texas, ohio, and the entire nation. And the remarkable stories of bravery and heroism emerging this morning first, this is today on nbc. California phones offers free specialized phones. Like cordless phones, phone ringing big button, and volumeenhanced phones. Get details on this state program. Call or visit heresshow me making it. Like. Oh i got one. The best of amy poehler. Amy, maybe we could use the voice remote to search for something that youre not in. Show me parks and rec. From netflix to prime video to live tv, xfinity lets you find your favorites with the Emmy Awardwinning x1 voice remote. Show me the best of amy poehler, again. This time around. Now thats simple, easy, awesome. Experience the entertainment you love on x1. Access netflix, prime video, youtube and more, all with the sound of your voice. Click, call or visit a store today. And accessoriesphones for your mobile phone. Like this device to increase volume on your cell phone. phone ringing get details on this state program call or visit still ahead this morning, the Unanswered Questions surrounding the death of robert f. Kennedys 22yearold granddaughter, as the family now prepares to say goodbye a little later on, we hope to give you a reason to smile this morning when we catch up with jenna bush hager. First on a monday morning, a check of your local news, your weather, and these messages. This is not just a headache. This is not just a fever. This is not just the flu. Its meningitis b. And youre not there to help. While meningitis b is uncommon. Once symptoms appear, they can progress quickly and can be fatal. Sometimes within 24 hours. Before you send your teen to college. Make sure you help protect them. Talk to your teens doctor. About meningitis b vaccination. [doorbell rings] not right now. I think you need more lipstick. Nest hub you look beautiful. By google nest. 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