Transcripts For KNTV Early Today 20171106

Family. And 385 million charitable dollars later, elton john gets celebrated in a big way. Early today starts right now. Good morning. Im phillip mena. And im gigi stone woods. Unending horror is how the cover of one major newspaper reads this morning after 26 innocent lives were lost and ten others wounded. Happened in sutherland, texas, just southeast of san antonio following a deadly rampage when a lone gunman walked into a church during sunday service dressed intact cal gear and used an automatic Assault Rifle to shoot parishioners. The suspected attacker, 26yearold Devin Patrick kelley, was later found dead himself. His victims range in age from 5 to 72 years old, with even the churchs pastors teen daughter among the dead. Its a tragedy that is devastating the small town of Sutherland Springs and the nation in what is a deadliest shooting at a place of worship in the countrys history. We are learning more about the suspected gunman including his military past. For more on this we go to nbcs justice correspondent pete williams. Pete . Reporter philip, texas authorities with the help of the fbi and atf are trying to find out why this happened. No idea yet, they say, though, several officials tell us they see no obvious connection at this point to international terrorism. Some answers may come from a search of the home of Devin Patrick kelley, the man Law Enforcement officials tell us was the gunman. He lived in a rural area of comal county in texas, about 35 miles from Sutherland Springs. People in that tiny town say he had relatives there, but authorities are only now beginning to look into his background. No criminal record, just traffic offenses. He served in the air force and was apparently dishonorably discharged. Law enforcement Officials Say he fired an artype Assault Rifle in the attack so one big question, where did he get it . Its illegal for anybody dishonorably discharged from the military to have a gun. Philip . Pete, thank you. And overnight we have new reaction from the president as he condemned the texas attack while saying the attack was not a, quote, guns situation. I think that Mental Health is your problem here. This was a very, based on preliminary reports, very deranged individual, a lot of problems over a long period of time. We have a lot of Mental Health problems in our country, as do other countries. But this isnt a guns situation. I mine, we could go into it, but its a little bit soon to go into it. This is a Mental Health problem at the highest level. Its a very, very sad event. Its these are great people and a very, very sad event. This morning residents in the small town of Sutherland Springs are in mourning as friends and family reel from the devastation. With some like 5yearold rye landward fighting for their lives after a senseless act toward their community. Still, many came together in the darkness of night to hold a vigil for those fallen and for those still fighting. As they try to reclaim their town from tragedy. For more we go to nbcs Mariana Atencio in Sutherland Springs. Mariana . Reporter gigi, this is still a very active crime scene behind me in front of the First Baptist church in the small Rural Community in southeast texas. We are about 40 minutes southeast of san antonio. This community of about 400 people, so to put that into perspective, if youre talking about 26 innocent lives that were lost in this church behind me, that is roughly 5 of the population here, of this very small Rural Community. As you can imagine, the residents here, neighbors, some of whom started trickling in very early this morning, talking to local Law Enforcement, they cannot fathom that this kind of a tragedy, now the deadliest mass shooting at a house of worship in the country, would happen here. I want to play some sound for you from a vigil held here yesterday with some reaction about this tragedy. Lets listen. I dont have much to say except for its very devastating and its hard to hear. I really dont think its still settled in yet that it happened. No one knows why he was here. People just dont care no more about nobody. Its just hatred all over the place. [ inaudible ]. Hes a coward. People in a church. I cant believe in the middle of nowhere this would happen. My husband said its the worst thing hes seen. Reporter the pastor of the First Baptist church did record the sunday services to post to youtube, philip and gigi. So, they are hoping that possibly the service from this past sunday was recorded to possibly know more about the shooting and about what happened. Back to you guys. Still a horrible visual. Mariana, thank you. President trump is in japan today. The first of five countries that he will visit on a 12day tour of asia. This morning the president met with Japanese Business leaders commenting on the touchy subject of trade, calling for more equitable deal. Right now our trade with japan is not fair and its not open. We want free and reciprocal trade, but right now our trade with japan is not free and its not reciprocal. The president is also meeting with Prime Minister shinzo abe to discuss another urgent issue, north korea. Nbcs Kelly Odonnell joins us now live from tokyo where it is early evening there and, kelly, what else have we were heard from the president on this part of the trip . Reporter well, good evening, philip. There will be a state dinner at which President Trump will be the guest of honor tonight. We also heard him talking about trade. You mentioned what a thorny issue that is. He said that he was willing to risk some cultural insults by pressing hard on japanese companies, especially automakers to do more by building inside the United States and trying to ease the imbalance in trade between the u. S. And japan. But north korea is really a dominant issue here, and japan will be purchasing more u. S. Military equipment as a greater deterrent to north korea and its provocations. The president also met on a very emotional subject of japanese families whose loved ones have been kidnapped and held captive in north korea. The president saying that human face can also put more leverage on kim jongun, the leader of north korea, because there is an opportunity to release hostages as a good will gesture. The president was also mindful of his own sometimes hot rhetoric when it comes to north korea as he addressed a change in strategy and posture from the United States toward north korea. The era of strategic patience is over. Some people said that my rhetoric is very strong. But look whats happened with very weak rhetoric over the last 25 years. Look where we are right now. Reporter much of what we have seen here in japan is an emphasis on the strong relationship in personal terms between the president and the Prime Minister, something that will be very important whether its trade or north korea on the international stage. Philip, gigi . Tea Kelly Odonnell live for us from tokyo. Kelly, thank you. Nbc news now reports federal investigators have gathered enough evidence to bring charges in an investigation of former National Security advisor Michael Flynn and his son as part of their probe into russias meddling in the 2016 election. Now, this is according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation who say investigators are speaking to multiple witnesses in the coming days to gain more information surrounding flynn. The news comes at an intensifying moment in the investigation, following the indictment of Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort and his Business Partner rick gates. For more lets go to nbcs Edward Lawrence in washington. Good morning, edward. The story keeps unfolding. Reporter good morning, gigi. It certainly does. Now, if Michael Flynn is charged, he would be the first former or Current Trump Administration Official to be charged with criminal wrongdoing, up to now its just been folks linked to his campaign. Now, what special prosecutor Robert Mueller wants to find out is if the flynns, Michael Flynn or his son, lied to investigators about overseas contacts, or laundering money in some way. Now, under the microscope, some 35,000 that Russian State Television paid Michael Flynn for a gala in 2015 where he sat next to russian president vladimir putin. They are also going to look at an accusation from former cia director jim woolsey who says that in the weeks after the inauguration, flynn and turkish officials went to the fbi and asked them to possibly forcibly remove a muslim cleric who was at odds with the turkish president. Some republicans here in Congress Said they would like to see the funding for the special counsel eliminated, therefore ending the investigation. However, House Speaker paul ryan says this needs to play itself out. Ive said all along we need to let these career professionals do their jobs, see it through, so no, i dont think he should be stepping down. I dont think he should be fired. And the president has made clear hes not going to do that. So, no, were not going to interfere with this investigation. The investigation will take its course. Reporter two sources say that if Michael Flynn does cooperate to help his son out, it would limit his legal consequence. Gigi . All right, edward, thank you. Lets get a look at our monday forecast from nbc meteorologist bill karins. Good morning, bill. Good morning. Two stories out there. One is the rain and the thunderstorms that are heading through the ohio valley and then we have the frigid cold that is coming down. I mean its been a warm fall in most areas, not montana, not idaho, and now through the dakotas. Look at fargo today, 29 degrees, tuesday 28 degrees. Minneapolis 35 and 34. And theres been enough cold air over the weekend and significant snow in the northern rockies. Were going to get a little bit in colorado. San juan mountains, not too much in i25 south wards of pueblo, maybe a coating there. There is that cold. Its still warm in texas for now, activity possible from d. C. North wards right up through southern new england. Well also take a look at another cold blast towards the end of this week, too. All right. Thanks, bill. Fast forwarding into your monday, former new york congressman Anthony Weiner will begin serving his sentence today for sexting a 15yearold girl. He is expected to serve the 21 month punishment in a federal facility outside boston. Attorneys for new jersey senators are set to deliver their arguments in the corruption trial. Following the prosecutors rebuttal jurors will start deliberating had iz fate. Menendez denies wrongdoing. Elton john is receiving a humanitarian award from harvard university, for philanthropic efforts for hiv and aids. He has raid 385 million. It was love at first touch and all you wanted to do was surround them in comfort and protection thats why only pampers swaddlers is the 1 choice of hospitals to wrap your baby in blanketlike softness and premium protection mom oh hi baby so all they feel is love wishing you love, sleep and play. Pampers whats that, broheim . I switched to geico and got more. More savings on Car Insurance . Yeah brofessor, and more. Like renters insurance. More ways to save. Nice, brotato chip. Thats not all, brotein shake. Geico has motorcycle and rv insurance, too. Oh, thats a lot more. Oh yeah, im all about more, teddy brosevelt. Geico. Expect great savings and a whole lot more. Hdid you get that email i sente wyou. Before you wake up. 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Reporter nbc news was given access to a trove of documents leaked from a law firm in bermuda. They were leaked to a german newspaper and analyzed by the International Consortium of investigative journalists. The documents connect secretary ross to an oil Company Called sibur which is owned by russian oligarchs including this man, who is married to putins daughter. Im calling for a new investigation at the very least by the Inspector General of the department of commerce that will tell us on the committee and tell the American People how we were misled, if this information, in fact, was concealed as appears to be. Reporter misled, the senator says, because during his confirmation ross, a billionaire investor, declared that he had divested most of his holdings. You did it to avoid any conflicts of interest, correct . That is correct, sir. Reporter but the leaked documents show that ross continues to own through a series of Shell Companies a stake in a shipping Company Called navigator, and one of navigators biggest customers is that Russian Oil Firm si burks ur owned in large part by Close Associates of putin who were targeted by u. S. Sanctions. Daniel freed, a sanctions coordinator at the state department under president obama, says this all raises concerns. Quite apart from whether its a sanctions violation, like it doesnt pass a smell test. Reporter president bushs chief ethics advisor agrees. That is an unworkable conflict of interest. He cant do that. He needs to choose between the shipping company and his job as commerce secretary. That was nbcs Richard Engel reporting. In a Statement Issued through Commerce Department spokesman, secretary ross said no funds managed by his company ever owned a majority of navigator shares. He never met the three russian oligarchs mentioned and he has been generally supportive of sanctions on russian entities. Just ahead, a billionaire investor in twitter, apple and other Corporate Giants unexpectedly arrested in saudi arabia. Details coming up. Somehow we always leave packing to the last minute. Guys, i have a couple of things to wash we got this. Even on quick cycle, tide pods cleans great 6x the cleaning power, even in the quick cycle its got to be tide 40 million americans are waking up to a gillette shave. And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day building on over a hundred years of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. As one of those workers, im proud to bring you gillette quality for less, because nobody can beat the men and women of gillette. Gillette the best a man can get. 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The message he is sending here is no one is above the law, especially when it comes to corruption. Whether they be billionaire investors, government ministers or even members of the royal family. Now, of course the bigger question here today in saudi arabia is what happens next. We understand that all of those implicated on corruption charges including billionaire investor alwaleed bin talal as well as prince ma tab, the man just in charge of the national guard, are all of them allowed to seek legal counsel. None of their assets have been frozen. And what we understand is they havent actually had a ban placed on their travel. Part of this, of course, is the fact that alwaleed bin talal investor in such things aggies twitter and citibank, has been outspoken from saudi arabia and many under the surface here especially royal circles are uncomfortable with how outspoken he ho he has been. Wondering if this is a power approach or the part of the son of the king to move this economy sfard and show corruption will not be tolerated. Guys . Certainly a new era there in saudi arabia. Hadley, thank you. Just ahead, well have an update for you on todays weather, plus more details on the deadliest mass shooting in texas history. Youre watching early today. And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day building on over a hundred years of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. As one of those workers, im proud to bring you gillette quality for less, because nobody can beat the men and women of gillette. Gillette the best a man can get. People would stare. Psoriasis does that. It was tough getting out there on stage. I wanted to be clear. I wanted it to last. So i kept on fighting. I found something that worked. 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It only lasts 2 to 3 hours in most areas of the northeast. There is the cold air. Signs of winter in the northern plains. Finally coming. Thanks, bill. Just ahead, a new info on the mass shooting in texas. We are learning more about the suspected gunmans background and the person who rushed in to stop him. Youre watching early today. Fred would do anything for his daughter. Get in, fred even if it means being the back half of a unicorn. Fear not fred, the front half washed his shirt with gain. And that smell puts the giddy in giddyup ah. The irresistible scent of gain flings laundry detergent. You cant help but smell happy. With advils fast relief, youll ask, what pulled muscle . What headache . Nothing works faster to make pain a distant memory. Advil liquigels and advil liquigels minis. What pain . Advil liquigels ayoure so cold, come in s. Whats wrong . Its dry. Your scalp . Mine gets dry in the winter too. Try head and shoulders dry scalp care it nourishes the scalp and. Keeps you up to 100 flake free head and shoulders dry scalp care this morning local and federal investigators are pouring over evidence in Sutherland Springs, texas in what has now become the deadliest mass shooting in a place of worship in u. S. History. With mourners holding vigils throughout the night as newly disclosed records show the suspected attacker was previously a member of the u. S. Air force until his discharge. He was Court Martialed in 2012 for assault on his spouse, in the end receiving a bad conduct discharge, confinement for a year and a demotion. But what if any role did this have to play in the shooting . For more we go to Nbcs Jay Gray on the ground in Sutherland Springs. Jay . Reporter a there, gigi. Thats what police want to know. They continue their investigation right now, searching the car where the suspect was found dead, also his home, looking for any link to what may have led to the attack here at the church. Right now they have not talked publicly about any type of motive in this case, but have said that is something that they will determine. Stressing, though, this is just the beginning of what is going to be a long, intense investigation here. We know that that suspect did spend time behind bars as a result of assaulting his wife at the time and their child. We know that he lived just a county over from where we are right now. But there are no direct ties to the church at this point, gigi and philip. And thats something that police want to know as well. Again, this just the beginning of an investigation that now includes federal agents on the ground. And, jay, i know its early in the morning there, but what kind of sense have you gotten from the Community Just walking around, such a small tight knit community there . Reporter yeah, philip, overwhelmed, still stunned, a lot of people showing up for a vigil this evening. And saying they were drawn there because they needed to be with others who were going through this, trying to draw some strength from being together. And leaning on their faith quite frankly, of faith that many said was attacked in the Early Morning hours here at the church just behind me. This is something they realize is going to take some time to work through. And right now, like so many, cant really get their heads around whats happened. I can imagine just such a shock there in Sutherland Springs, texas. Jay, thank you so much for joining us. And like you mention, a thousand people that live there, about that, and, you know, 5 , i think were hearing earlier that were affected by this. You can just imagine, theyre probably all still in shock at this point. Yeah, we were listening to some of the people who live there. We live in this small town thinking that nothing bad could ever happen here. Sort of getting away from the big cities and the tragedy there. Well, thanks for joining us here today on early today. Im phillip mena. Im gigi stone woods. The news continues on nbc and our nbc news stations. Stay with us. Who are these people . The Energy Conscious people among us say small actions can add up to something. Humongous. A little thing here. A little thing there. Starts to feel like a badge maybe millions can wear. Who are all these caretakers, advocates too . Turns out, its californians its me and its you. Dont stop now, its easy to add to the routine. Join Energy Upgrade california and do your thing. Holloman. Good morning to you, it is monday morning. A live look at san jose. Get the day started. Good morning. Thanks for joining us, im marcus washington. Im laura garcia. Hope you had a great weekend. We got an extra hour of sleep. We could use it right now. Kari, a cool start . Its a cool start. You can see the clouds lingering from the weather system over the weekend and a slight chance of rain moving through this morning as we head out the door. This is what the computer model put down, a few spotty showers between now and d