Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom With Fredricka Whitfield 2

CNNW CNN Newsroom With Fredricka Whitfield June 12, 2016

Targeting civilians is not just defiable under any circumstances whatsoever. The afghan stan president offering condolences to the president of the United States, the citizens of the United States, and the bereaved victims. The president saying an attack on any american is an attack on all americans. Today, as americans, we grieve the brutal murder, oh historic massacre, of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of orlando who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although its still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. And as americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people. I just finished a meeting with the fbi director and my homeland and National Security advisors. The fbi is on the scene and leading the investigation in partnership with local Law Enforcement. I directed that the full resources of the federal government will made available for this investigation. We are still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. Weve reach ned no definitive motive of the killer. The fbi is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism, and ive directed we must spare no effort to find out what if any association this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What is clear that s that he was a person filled with hatred. Well uncover why and how this happen and well go wherever the facts lead us. This morning i spoke with my good friend, the orlando mayor, and i conveyed to him the deepest condolences of the American People. This could have been any one of our communities. I told the mayor whatever help he and the people of orlando need, theyll get it. As a country, well be there for the people of orlando today, tomorrow, and for all the days to come. We also express our profound gratitude to all the police and First Responders who rushed to harms way. Their courage and professionalism saved lives and kept the carnage from being even worse. Its the kind of sacrifice that our Law Enforcement professionals make every single day for all of us and we can never thank them enough. This is an especially heart breaking day for all of our friends and fellow americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub. It is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights. So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any american, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, is an attack on all of us, and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country, and no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us americans. Today marks the most deadly shooting in american history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful Assault Rifle. This massacre is, therefore, a further reminder were going to break away from that tape. The press conference in orlando, local Police Authorities are about to update us on their investigation. The fbi, after this briefing we will only have briefings as significant events occur for the rest of day and tomorrow will provide additional updates. This is probably the most difficult day in the history of orlando. I want to thank all of our Law Enforcement professionals, our health professionals, victims advocates, counselors who have come to the aid of our community. While it is difficult for all of us, it is the most difficult for those families that are still waiting for information on their loved ones, and as difficult as that is, i ask for patience and compassion and love. Pulse remains an active crime scene and Law Enforcement is working the scene as efficiently and as diligently as they possibly can while also being respectful of the remains of the deceased. We are setting up additional means of communication. We have the hot line which is 407246 h. 4357 that we mentioned at the last press conference. Anybody that has a loved one that they believe could be one of the victims should contact that hot line and give their information so we have Contact Information when were able to identify your loved one. Aspire help has offered Counseling Services and can be reached through the zebra coo litt coalition, and were setting up a website, which is city of orlando net victims. It will be updated after the next of kin have been notified. You heard the president and the governor is here. We have all the resources of the federal government, the state government, and our local government partners, all that they have to offer. Our community will be grieving today, the next few days, the next few weeks, and the next few months. We need to support each other. We need to love each other. And we will not be defined by a hateful shooter. Well be defined how we support and love each other. Governor scott. Thank you, mayor bdyer. Clearly this is an act of terrorism. You cant imagine it happening in any community or in your state or in your country. I want to first my heart goes out to every Family Member thats been impacted. I know Law Enforcement is doing everything they can to notify next of kin. Get as much information out as they can. And they are working diligently together, state, local and federal. I want to i want to thank all our Law Enforcement for everything they do. Theyve done in this case, and each and every day. Ive asked for all the citizens of the United States to have a moment of silence at 6 00 p. M. Eastern time tonight to mourn the loss of life and still and also, pray for those that are still fighting for their life. And pray for all the loved ones. Again, i want to thank the Law Enforcement, especially those that walked into that shooting scene and risked their life to save so many people. This state is going to be defined as a state of generos y generosity, a state of love. We are a resilient state. We love people in our state, and well continue to do that. Anybody thinking about doing Something Like this in our state, our justice is swift. Our penalties are severe. We have a great Law Enforcement team and well do the right thing. We declared a state of emergency earlier today. Id like to turn it over to the attorney general now. Today is a tragic day, and we are making it clear anyone who attacks our Lgbt Community or anyone in our state will be gone after to the fullest extent of the law. Today my office has been working. Weve been bringing in victims advocates from throughout the state of florida here to orlando. If youre missing a Family Member or loved one, well be here to help you. Youre hearing on a horrible, tragic day, the word love. Thats what we need to do. We need to look out for each other and take care of each other, and we will be available as a community, as a state, and weve all received calls from around the country of people offering their support in this horrible, horrible time. Our mayor has done an incredible job. The fbi has taken the lead on this investigation, and they are remarkable. Back in the command center, watching federal, state, and local Law Enforcement and prosecutors all work together, second to none in our state, and we should be very proud of the Law Enforcement, the men and women in uniform who are all working together as a team. Thank you very much. And now the fbi. Sorry, our police chief. Good afternoon. Just to clarify. We had 11 Orlando Police officers that exchanged gunfire with the suspect and killed him. They have all been relieved of duty as is our standard of practice. We will investigate the officer involved shooting portion of that and well release their names over the next couple days. We want the residents to know were committed to their safety. Our officers risked their lives for the people and patrons at pulse, and we are committed to do so again. So at this time were going to continue with the investigation, assist the fbi. Our focus is on helping with the identification and next of kin. Were setting up a system for that as well. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the outpouring of support not only from local Law Enforcement. Weve had multiple sheriffs from different counties respond, Different Police chiefs. Everyone in Central Florida has reached out to us. I also want to thank the businesses in this area. They have all stepped forward to assist Law Enforcement with food, water, and so we really do appreciate that. Thank you. Im going to provide a brief update as well. This has certainly being a trying today. As the day has grown, the level of support in our community has grown as well, and so i sincerely appreciate the broad support that we are receiving. We have a lot of work to do yet in this investigation. At just after noon today there was a National Phone teleconference that was spearheaded by the department of Homeland Security in which Law Enforcement from across the entire country came together to talk about what we must do to ensure the safety of our homeland, because what has happened here was not purely an attack on the residents of florida or the residents of Orange County or orlando here, but this was, indeed, an attack on our nation. We appreciate the support that is coming from across the country in this effort. In terms of the Orange County sheriffs office, we had three department sheriffs who were actively engaged in the rescue efforts that also fired their weapons. They too have been relieved of the Law Enforcement authority pending an investigation. What we typically do here in orlando is call upon the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to do an independent investigation of any Law Enforcement officerinvolved shootings, and that has been done in this case, and so they will be doing their investigation concurrently with that of the fbi. Thank you again. Thank you, sheriff. Just to reiterate. The fbi has taken the lead in this information, but i want to thank every Agency Standing behind me and those you may or may not see currently that are working shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand to get to the bottom of this senseless act of violence. Here are some talking points to make sure i address the questions posed earlier. Ba bear with me as i go through them. Were gathering a lot of information. The individual believed to be responsible for the terror attack at the orlando club early sunday morning half identified as Omar Saddiqui mateen, age 29, an american citizen born in new york. Redied in an exchange of gunfire with officers. The fbi became aware of him when he made comments to coworkers alleging possible terrorist ties. The fbi investigated the matter nsk. In the course of the investigation, mateen was interviewed twice. Ultimately we were unable to verify the substance of his comments and the investigation was closed. In 2014 mateen, again, came to the attention of the fbi because of possible ties to an american decide bomber. The fbi conducted an investigation including an interview with mateen. We determined the contact was minimal and did not constitute a substantive relationship or a threat at that time. It has been reported that mateen made calls to 911 this morning in which he stated his allegiance to the islamic. Were looking into any and all connections both domestic and international. Well be as transparent as possible, but we want to be as accurate as possible. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, well continue to provide updates when information becomes available. Thank you. Does that mean the 911 report is inaccurate at this point . There were 911 calls in which there was conversation between the subject and Law Enforcement representatives or dispatchers. That has become federal evidence. Was there a declaration of allegiance to anyone . It is any understanding. It was general to the Islamic State. I have not listened to them. The hospital is under heavy guard right now. Can you confirm that . Could there be a possible second suspect here . Can i tell you at this point in time we dont have a second suspect that we are actively looking for. We dont know of any credible or singular threats that are facing the orlando area or nationally. We are providing physical presence for the hospitals and the Victim Assistance Centers to make sure everyone remains safe and secure. Can you give us an overview of what the inside of pulse looks like . Were there victims found on the second floor . That crime scene is still being processed, and i cant comment on he was interviewed twice by the fbi and then again in 2014 with connection to a known terrorist, the suicide bomber. How in the world did this guy get a statewide gun permit . Those interviews were inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going forward. But you had the echoes of terror, and he got a gun permit . Investigation was closed. Have there been more victims that have passed since our last update . Do we have someone from the medical i am not personally aware of any more. Have Family Members been notified of the bodies that are inside . Have you been able to identify them all . Were trying to be as respectful as possible of the deceased people inside the facility. As we identify people, were making notifications, and then the Police Department and i believe the city are preparing a website to list those that have been made contact with. Any idea how many have been contacted at this point . From the hospital perspective, at least six i know of, next of kin have been notified. Is there danger inside of this club still for your agents and the fbi and the people investigating this crime . No. The scene is clear. Like special agent hopper said, theres a lot of victims inside. Trying to be respectful of that as well. We have ask people have patience. The subject that i mentioned earlier was not under current investigation at the time of the i said dent and was not under surveillance. You have interviewed his family, i assume. Is there anything you can tell us about the interviews . Multiple interviews are being conducted as we speak. I have no details. What about his home . You were at his home. Can you tell us what youre doing at the home . Interviews and investigation. Any word on where he got the weapons from . Our partners from atf are here to speak to that. Hi. Im in charge of atf. Id like to start by saying our condolences to the families of those impacted. Atf traced the ifirearms. He purchased at least two firearms. He can legally walk into a facility and purchase firearms. Were following up on it so i wont get into the detail as to the specific location of the purchase. But he purchased to firearms, a handgun and a long gun within the last two days. What was the suspect wearing . Thats all the information we can release at this time. Well provide more updates as they become available. Any idea how long next of kin notification will take . Were doing it as quickly as possible. We just learned some more about this suspect, 29yearold Omar Saddiqui mateen, including the interviews he had with the fbi in connection with investigations. Apparently he made some sympathetic comments about isis that generated the initial interviews. He was interviewed but they found no conclusive evidence. They said it was inconclusive as to any specific solidarity or sympathy support involved with isis. They did tell us that on this 911 call that he made into this terror operation he did express his support for, quote, the leader of the Islamic State. Peter bergen, he also mentioned specifically a case back in 2004, an american who went to syria for isis. This is fascinating that the fbi would be investigating mateen for his connections to abu saul la. He traveled from florida to syria, got training and came back to florida unbeknownst to the fbi until later. Met with a number of people and went back to syria to conduct a decide operation for al qaeda. The fact that ma teteen was in Social Circle of others recru recruited by al qaeda, i think its significant. Tell us why you think its significant. The fbi concluded it was inconclusive. Well, this is the only example of an american citizen recruited by syria and becoming a suicide bomber. The fact that the fbi was looking into who was in this guys Social Circle. They may have decided that mateen was merely an acquaintance. They were in florida together. They were obviously had some kind of connection and the other was a suicide bomber in syria. Art, you used to work for the u. S. Marshals office. It sounds awful that someone like this was working were a Security Firm that had federal contracts and investigated by the fbi and was sympathetic to isis, and within the last week or two guys guns that wind up killing 50 people and injure another 50 plus. I think the normal person would think all the dots would be connect

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