Good morning. Welcome to early start. It is thursday, february 15th. Im Christine Romans in new york. Good morning, christine. Im dave briggs. It is 5 00 a. M. In parkland, florida. Known as one of the safest cities in america. Waking up to a recurring nightma nightmare. Helpless to stop the gun violence plaguing the country. 17 People Killed at Marjory StonemanDouglas High School. Five patients are in life threatening condition and ten others hospitalized with nonlife threatening injuries. So far, 12 victims of the h rampage have been identified. Here are the moments of terror. We want to warn you the video is disturbing. Holy
[ gunshots ] oh, my god terrifying. Imagine getting that out of your mind. Officials say that is the sound of an ar15 being fired from former student nikolas cruz. Senator bill nelson of florida told cnn how the attack began. The shooter wore a gas mask and he had smoke grenades. He went and setoff the fire alarm so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall and there the carnage began. Worst possible scenario. The gunfire sent students running for cover. Desperate to escape. I started hearing six
out for themselves because they are processing this extensive scene you see behind me. According to the sheriff that tells us the shooting actually started outside of the school. Investigators found one body on the street and as they got closer to the school, they found two bodies outside the building and of course 12 bodies inside. These investigators now have to go through the crime scene inch by inch collecting evidence and trying to connect the dots. Trying to figure out why this gunman did this. Also, trying to gather evidence that corroborates witness accounts. Again, the goal is to figure out exactly what happened here. We are learning more about this suspected gunman. Nikolas cruz, 19 years of age, a former student of this high school. Expelled because of discipline issues. We learned he purchased an ar15
style rifle in the past year. He passed the Background Check. According to the sheriff, he had countless magazines. Thats why we keep on hearing that the carnage here could have been worse because of the amount of ammunition he had here. The trail of evidence includes a lot of belongings from the students who had to run for their lives. Cell phones, notebooks, bags. As they were trying to hide from the gunman because a lot of the students we talked to say they could hear the gunshots. The teachers locking the classrooms to make sure students were safe and students hiding Underneath Desks to try to stay alive and try to stay safe. We are learning a little more about the suspect and his personal life. We know that his mother actually died back in november. His father died 13 years ago. A family took him in in november. We are learning from that family that they he are coare complete broken. Take a listen. Nothing to indicate anything like this was pending. Showed no harm or malice toward anyone at the high school. Never mentioned anyone that he had problems with anyone there. They dont know where this came from. Reporter the suspected gunman is expected to face a judge later this morning. Dave, we dont know what time that will happen. We do know it is a bond hearing that is scheduled for later today. Dave. Rosa, thanks. No school today or tomorrow. You may imagine returning to the school behind me will be an emotional and difficult experience for the kids and their teachers. Many of the worst Mass Shootings in recent years have something in common. The very same weapon. Ar15 rifle used in all of these. The Sutherland Springs church. Las vegas Country Music concert. Pulse nightclub a few hours from here in orlando. San bernardino office shooting. Of course the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and aurora, colorado movie theater. The ar15 is a civilian version of the militarys m16. The National Rifle association calls it adaptable and reliable and accurate. The nra says the ar15 is the most popular rifle owned by more than 8 Million People in the country. Lets discuss this with charles ramsey. Law Enforcement Analyst and former police chief of washington, d. C. And philadelphia. Good morning, charles. Lets start with that ar15 rifle. Less than five years ago it was legalized for 18yearolds to buy the weapon. Should it be legal for anyone
let alone for 18yearold kids . In my opinion, the answer is no. Im not antisecond amendment or antifirea antifirearm. I think the civilian use of the firearms like this type, is not right. We need to make it difficult for people suffering from any Mental Illness or too young to understand what they are doing to own such a weapon. There are reports that the shooter had Mental Health treatment in recent years. The Law Enforcement community. What would you like to see done in congress . This is certainly a Call To Action to democrats and republicans and everyone in the country. It starts with honest debate and discussion. What you will have now is a period where everyone is shocked. Although, i dont know why because it keeps happening over and over again. Hindsight is one thing. We see the Warning Signs now. At the time, you cant arrest somebody for what you think they may do in the future. Nothing has happened. You are in a position where you have to pay close attention to whats going on. You know, i just dont know what is practical. It falls on congress. There is legislation in congress, but that would make it easier to buy silencers and easier to carry a weapon across state lines. We will discuss that with you in about 30 minutes. Christine, back to you in new york. Thank you, dave. That shooting in florida quick to draw outrage from democrats in congress. The pattern will be perfectly predictable. A moment of silence. People will wish everybody thoughts and prayers and sympathy for the victims. Then the congress of the United States will do absolutely nothing. On the flip side, republicans have largely gone silent. More from washington next. At t. Rowe price weve helped our investors stay confident for over 80 years. Call us or your advisor. T. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. I hate to ask but is there any chance of an upgrade . Upgrade . Pretty please . Look into my eyes. Could be twins. Have you thought about being a model . Dont upgrade your seat. Upgrade your airline. Fly emirates. The best Economy Class in the world. Im dave briggs live in parkland, florida. Following overnight developments in the high School Shooting that killed 17 people. This is the ninth deadliest in school history. So far, gun rights advocates, dave, have been silent. Two republicans are taking a familiar Fallback Position if you will. Including senator marco rubio. Some of the Coal Llleagues ie senate have been trying to make this about policy and about gun control. Is this the appropriate time to being doing that . It is not. People dont know how this happened. Who this person is or what motivated them or how did they get a hold of the weapon they ued for the attack. It is important to know all of that before you jump to conclusions there is some law we could have passed to prevent it. Of mass atrocity that happens in this country with zero parallel. As a parent, it scares me to death this body doesnt take seriously the safety of my children. Tal, will they ever take it seriously and demand lawmakers doing so do something . Christine, it is hard to imagine they will after all the of the attacks. After sandy hook where it was devastating and the victims were young children. I think a lot of people felt if that didnt move people to action and move lawmakers or voters to action, it is hard to imagine what will. It is unfortunate that every time this happens it feels like the script writes itself. We see the partisan division beginning to form and lets be
clear. There are tragedies that each party wants to talk about right away and some tragedies where it is too soon. The Pattern Repeats itself over and over and we just see the fight emerge and nothing gets done. Maybe you mentioned the electorate. Maybe it is up to the voters to demand more be done. At this point, we dont see any of that demand resonating in the halls of congress. Much like immigration, which we will get to in a moment, tal, you need the moderate republicans to come on board. You check the twitter accounts of jeff flake and moderates like susan collins. They are in the thoughts and prayers camp. Do you expect democrats in addition to immigration to campaign on this issue as we approach 2018 . That is an interesting question, dave. It is hard to know exactly what they will campaign on. You know, you talk about running
campaigns on Kitchen Table issues. Traditionally it is the economy and health care. You know, if it starts to feel like america is demanding their lawmakers tell them what they want to do on gun violence and shootings, then perhaps lawmakers will respond. At this point, i dont see a lot of democratic lawmakers making this a signature Campaign Issue outside of the ones that have had such a tragedy in their districts. That is why chris murphy has become an outspoken advocate on this issue after it happened so close to home for him. Lets talk about the president about 3 50 in the afternoon. He tweeted his response to the event. My prayers and condolences of the families of the florida shooting. No child or parent or teacher should feel unsafe. That is a tweet. Not an oncamera statement. That sends a different message when the president makes that statement. The florida newspaper said this, yes, thoughts are prayers are welcome to anyone in mournings and need. With this tragedy repeated across the country, we know thoughts and prayers alone are a grossly inadequate response to our countrys self inflicted cancer of gun violence. You know, im not the first person to use this analogy. When there is a bridge collapse, all parts of the government and the Community Get together to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. When any other Consumer Product causes harm to someone, you figure out how to fix it. With gun violence, we dont try to figure out how gun violence affects the communities in which it happens. Even on that very micro level as a society, we dont do anything, tal. You talk about the president s reaction. We have an indelible image in
tal . Well, dave, when you are talking about congress, you always have to start with long shot odds. That seems to be the case for any piece of legislation. This debate was supposed to kickoff in grand fashion monday. Here it is thursday morning and there hasnt been a single vote of substance of legislation. There is a lot happening behind the scenes. There was a Significant Development yesterday. Bipartisan group which was meeting and everyones hope is the best shot of finding 60 votes. Did release their proposal. It is a fair amount narrower than the white house. It is a substantial Border Security and daca piece with a little piece of limiting the ability of those recipients to sponsor their parents for citizenship. We dont know if it has 60 votes. We e may find out today. It still may be short. If that doesnt get it, nothing will pass the senate. Tal kopan. Thank you. We have a lot to talk about this morning. The president did not say anything publicly about the shooting, but after a week of silence, he did speak up about Domestic Violence. I am totally opposed to Domestic Violence of any kind. Everyone knows that. Now cnn has learned that rob port porter, the former aide to the president , was one of many operating without a permanent Security Clearance. All we have to do is listen. Download audible to start listening. Mikboth served in the navy. S, i do outrank my husband, not just being in the military, but at home. She thinks shes the boss. She only had me by one grade. We bought our first home together in 2010. His family had used another insurance product but i was like well ive had usaa for a while, why dont we call and check the rates . It was an instant savings and i shouldve changed a long time ago. Theres no point in looking elsewhere really. Were the tenneys and were usaa members for life. Usaa. Get your insurance quote today. Thank you. Were leaving. Make your way out. And everybody here knows that. I am totally opposed to Domestic Violence of any kind and everyone knows that and it almost wouldnt have to be said. So now you hear it, but you all know it. Thank you all very much. I appreciate it. President trump breaking his painfully long silence on Domestic Violence. He has been avoiding the subject since top aide rob porter was accused of abusing his two exwives. Porter denies the acquisitik s accusations. The president has been slow to respond to the outcry of Mi Mistreatment of women. We have learned there were over 100 working in the white house with interim clearance. Six Democratic Senators have sent a letter to Christopher Wray asking for the names of all white house Staff Members with interim Security Clearance. The porn star who allegedly had a sexual encounter with President Trump is ready to talk. Stormy daniels manager said the president breached a Non Disclosure Agreement. The lawyer agreed to paying the money in 2016. He said it was not a Campaign Contribution. He did not tell the president about the payment. Mikaela shiffrin winning the gold at the Winter Olympics in pyeongchang. It is her second career gold medal. She won the Ladies Slalom in 2014. She will try to defend her title in that event tomorrow, dave. She is outstanding and will be the story of the olympic games. The story of the day, down here in parkland, florida. We are following the latest on the deadliest shooting since sandy hook elementary. Early start continues right now. Announcer this is cnn breaking news. Pray for this city. Pray for this school, the parents, the folks that lost their lives. Its a horrific, horrific day. 17 more lives lost in another episode in the cycle of gun violence plagues american schools. The suspects social media raising clues. And authorities raising thoughts and prayer was no action. Welcome back to early start. Im Christine Romans. We have dave briggs for us in
parkland, florida. He is following the news this morning that america is waking up to another repetition of the nightmare facing a mass shooting helpless to stop the gun violence. 17 People Killed at Marjory StonemanDouglas High School in parkland. At this hour, there are five patients who remain in life threatening condition. Ten others hospitalized with n nonlife threatening injuries. 12 victims of the deadly rampage have been identified. Here are just a few seconds of the horror these students and teachers went through. We want to warn you this video is disturbing. Holy [ gunshots ] oh, my god that will never get out of the minds of the students. Officials say it is the sound of
an ar15 rifle fired by 19yearold former douglas student nikolas cruz. Senator bill nelson of florida told cnn how the attack began. The shooter wore a gas mask and he had smoke grenades. He went and setoff the fire alarm so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall. There the carnage began. These kids never had a chance. The gunfire sent students as you can see, running for cover, desperate to escape. I started hearing six gunshots from far away. I could still hear them clear as day. As that ended, i told everyone we got to go. We got to run. Everyone started running as fast as they can and people were taking snapshots. I said you got to go. Of course, there were lucky families. Emotional reunions as moms and dads embraced sons and daughters. Imagine those hours waiting to hear from their babies. There have been 18 School Shootings this year and it is only midfebruary. That is essentially one every three days. For the latest on the Police Investigation and the former student behind the shooting is cnns rosa flores here in parkland near the school. Good morning, rosa. Reporter good morning, dave. This is an active scene. Investigators scouring through the extensive scene to look for clues to try to figure out why this gunman did what he did. We are learning more about him. 19yearold nikolas cruz. We know he was at the school. He is a former student that was
expelled because of disciplinary reasons. According to authorities here, he purchased the ar15 rifle about a year ago. He passed the Background Check and he had an extensive amount of magazines. We are also learning more about his family history. We understand his father, adoptive father, died about 13 years ago. His mother died last november. A family took him in and now that family speaking through an attorney. Take a listen. Nothing to indicate that anything like this was pending. Showed no harm or malice to anyone at the high school had. Never mentioned anything. Reporter we are learning from authorities about the social media tr