Begins right now. From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. Im Thomas Roberts in for lester. Tonight cincinnati zoo officials are fielding fast and furious reactions over their judgment to kill the silverback named harambe as the best choice to save a child trapped in the gorilla enclosure. A viral video captured over the Holiday Weekend shows the scene after a 3yearold boy crawled and climbed into the exhibit ending up facetoface with a massive primate. And now theres even a public call asking for the toddlers parents to be held responsible in the animals death. Blake mccoy has the latest. Reporter tonight outrage over an incident at the cincinnati zoo when a 3yearold boy fell into the gorilla enclosure saturday. For ten agonizing minutes onlookers watched including the boys mother who cried out to him. Reporter at one point the 420pound male silverback named harambe, grabbed the boys ankle and dragged him through the water. Mommy loves you. Im right here. Reporter zoo officials opened fire, killing the gorilla and rescuing the boy. Today zookeepers defended their decision. Naturally, we did not take the shooting of harambe lightly. But that childs life was in danger. Reporter on social media, a firestorm. People upset the gorilla was killed. Many blame the boys mother, who runs a day care center. An online petition now has 200,000 signatures urging she be charged with negligence. In a Facebook Post that has since been deleted the mother defended herself. As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off their child, and if anyone knows me, i keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen. A subsequent statement thanked the zoo for its actions. It was just being a goa. Unfortunately, it paid the ultimate price for something that was not his fault. Reporter zoo Officials Say a tranquilizer would have taken too long and agitated the gorilla more. Theyre investigating now how the child was able to get into the closure. This shows a steel railing with wires below. That railing is followed by four feet of vegetation before a 15foot drop into a moat where the child fell. Harambe heard splashing and jumped in also. Today a small vigil outside the zoo where organizers Say Something is being lost in the blame game. In the middle of all this fighting, the victim is being forgotten. Reporter inside the zoo flowers surround a gorilla statue as the exhibit remains closed. Tonight the zoo insists the gorilla enclosure is safe. They say in the 37year history of the exhibit theyve never had a breach. They plan to reopen it next weekend. As for the mother, police tell me shes not under investigation and will not face charges. Thomas . This is the story blake mccoy in cincinnati for us. Blake, thank you. Now to the deadly flood emergency in the south tonight. At least six people are dead in texas where evacuations continue after historic rainfall pushed several rivers to overflow. And now, residents are bracing for even more severe weather. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez has more from south texas where the danger is far from over. Reporter today the brazos river swelled quickly. How fast is it coming up right now . Its very, very fast. Very fast. When i walked through there, its over my knees. Reporter the rising water creeping closer to laurels home. Material things. Reporter she and her neighbors in rosenberg, texas, frantically grabbing what they could and evacuating. Have you ever seen it flood this bad . No. Its a scramble. Reporter mandatory evacuations in wharton,as overflowed. I just dont know what to say because right now i feel devastated. Reporter the death toll in this state climbing to at least six. Overnight near san antonio about ten inches of rain collapsed this roof and caused a mess on the roads. Since last weeks torrential downpours residents were hoisted to safety. Approaching halfway up, nice, easy. Reporter more than 2,000 inmates from several prisons were rushed to higher ground. First responders helping horses to dry land. Drone video capturing this houston suburb submerged. Astronaut terry virts tweeting this view from the air. All that water now flowing downstream. There are so many things floating. I mean, ive never seen that. Reporter right into Carlos Jimenez and Tiffany Davis backyards. I kind of panicked when they told us we needed to leave. I started going to the house, putting things as high as i could and putting things in bags and leaving. Reporter tonight roads are closed, ed in tow, and parts of texas are bracing for even more historic flooding yet to come. This is the brazos river. Its expected to crest tomorrow at more than 53 feet, its highest level in almost 60 years. Many homeowners have already left its banks. And making matters worse, there is more rain forecast for the houston area later this week. Thomas . Gabe gutierrez, thank you so much. Well talk about that rain right now with nbc news meteorologist dylan dreyer. It has been a rough few days in the south and theres more wet weather on the way. There certainly is, thomas. Quiet right now across texas. But through the next couple of days well see more isolated severe storms start to develop. But as we get to wednesday and this cold front moves in, thats the best chance of seeing really heavy rain with some areas picking up as much as four to five inches of rain. This time centered closer to san antonio, giving houston a break, but still were looking at another couple of inches possible in the houston area through the middle and end of the week. Will lead to more flooding. Also want to point out the remnants of bonnie. Its made a mess of the memorial day weekend down through the carolinas. Well start to see it clear out in the northeast by tomorrow, but more wet weather is likely through tuesday down and through north and south carolina. Thomas . Dylan, thanks so much. Now good news for the millions making that journey home tonight as this unofficial start to summer comes to a close. After weeks of Horror Stories about long waits at airports, the tsa and industry watchdogs are reporting no significant delays. Many more are driving with aaa predicting over 38 Million People on the roads this memorial day. Now to politics. A new twist this evening in whats already been a wild race for president. Talk that a prominent independent candidate may enter the race at this late stage. Donald trump worried that could draw votes away from him has already lashed out. Nbcs Hallie Jackson reports, theres a lot of buzz over who this mystery candidate may be. Reporter with his competitors parading on memorial day, Donald Trumps general election now looking at a possible new challenger after conservative writer bill kristol hinted at an independent candidate with a strong team and a real chance. Trump calling kristol quote, a dummy, cant allow lightweights to set up a spoiler indy candidate, he tweeted, even after months of flirting with his own independent bid. I dont want to do the independent thing, but i do keep it and it is leverage. Reporter kristol tells nbc news nothing is imminent. Others familiar with the search for an alternative Say Something could be announced as early as this week. Whispers surround mitt romney, but a source close to him tells nbc today it remains unlikely he would run. Same goes for nebraska senator ben sass, also a leader of the never trump movement. Other names mentioned include condoleezza rice, House Speaker paul ryan, and Susanna Martinez who skipped trumps ramie prompted a war of words with even some of his former rivals are the subject of speculation. But none seem interested in what would be the ultimate longshot candidacy. Trump has high negatives and there are people who wont vote for either of them and will be looking for some way to send a message. Reporter another potential spoiler, new libertarian pick gary johnson, the former new mexico governor who received just 1 in 2012 trying to be taken more seriously this cycle. Late tonight, bill kristol tweeted a sarcastic apology for what he called unnerving donald trump. Most analysts agree that any conservative challenger could peel enough votes away from trump to all but assure the democrats the white house come november. Well see how this victory unfolds. Hallie jackson in washington for us. A scare at the white house prompted a partial lockdown for hours today. A hazmat team descended on the grounds there after Authorities Say an object was thrown over the fence. President obama was inside the white house at the time, but the object was later deemed hml a woman was placed in handcuffs and detained over that incident. Earlier in the days, president obama marked his final memorial day in office with a traditional appearance at Arlington National cemetery. He used that moment to pay respects to those american troops killed overseas in the last year. Nbcs Jim Miklaszewski has the details. Present. Present. Reporter president obama laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns amidst what he called the silence of these sacred hills at Arlington National cemetery. The president then challenged all americans to live up to the sacrifice of the fallen. It is our responsibility, our obligation to fill that silence with our love and our support and our gratitude and not just with words but with our actions. Reporter president obama said his most solemn obligation was sending u. S. Forces into harms paid tribute to the 20 americans killed in afghanistan over the past year and three others in the war against isis in iraq. That includes josh wheeler, a delta force commando, whose wife ashley held their 10monthold son david during todays ceremony. Wheeler was killed during a rescue mission to free 70 hostages held by isis. We were already dead, one of the hostages said, then god sent us a force from the sky. That force was the u. S. Army, including josh wheeler. Reporter a fitting tribute to all who have served and sacrificed. Jim miklaszewski, nbc news, the white house. On this memorial day, a major offensive is under way to retake a key city where 100 american troops died during the iraq war. Circumstances have changed since the battle for fallujah in 2004. Now its iraqi forces [000 11 59;00] to drive isis from its stronghold in the city. Nbcs keir simmons has our report. Reporter a blast of artillery beginning the offensive this morning. A multipronged assault on fallujahs suburbs but victory to these iraqi forces is likely a long way off. Tonight isis is fighting back putting out video it claims shows its counterattack determined to hold a city theyve controlled for two years. Fallujah now a city under siege. An estimated 50,000 civilians trapped, possible human shields for the jihadists. Men and boys reportedly facing execution if they dont fight for isis. If they try to escape, the risk of being caught and therefore executed is very, very high. Reporter iqi Ground Forces are backed in the air by the u. S. But on the ground by militias supported by iran. Theyll be fighting isis on the same battleground where more than 100 american troops were killed in some of the fiercest this is the most complex of missions. Fighting in urban terrain. Youve got a number of different forces. Several different commanders. And an entrenched enemy. Reporter tonight defeating isis is possibly a step closer, but visibly a tough and bloody task. And many battles lie ahead. Keir simmons, nbc news, london. Still ahead tonight, a fun evening out takes a dark turn when Three Friends say they saw a man slipping something into another womans drink. What they did next made them social media heroes. Also, terror in the water as sharks attack on both coasts. Attack on both coasts. [burke] at farmers,weve seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. Even a ufh2o. [man] thats not good. [pilot] thats not good. [man] thats really not good. [burke] it happened august fourteenth,2008, we know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum feel free to be yourself all day. Just switch from denture paste to seabond denture adhesive seals. Holds stronger than the leading paste all day. Without the ooze. Feel secure. Be yourself. With stronger, clean seabond. Iveand im doing just fine. Allergies. Claritin provides 24hour relief of symptoms that can be triggered by over 200 allergens. Yeah, over 200 allergens with claritin my allergies dont come between me and victory. Live claritin clear. What backache . What sore wrist . What headache . Nothing works faster stronger or longer what pain . Advil. It takes a lot of work. But i really love it. S. Im on the move all day long. And sometimes, i just dont eat the way i should. So i drink boost® to get the nutrition that im missing. Boost complete nutritional drink has 26 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin d to support strong bones and 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle. All with a great taste. I dont plan on slowing down any time soon. Stay strong. Stay active with boost®. We are back with a story millions are talking about across the world. Three women out for a night of fun in california when they spotted a man they believed was up to no good. And rather than sit idly by, they took action. And now theyre being hailed for stopping an alleged Sexual Assault attempt. Nbcs Gadi Schwartz has details. Reporter its a heros story grabbing headlines all over the world. Germany, australia, india. All talking about Three Friends in santa monica, california, who say they stopped a woman from being drugged. I said, i just saw him put something in her drink. Reporter the friends were sitting a few feet away from a couple they say looked like they were on a first date. I said we need to get that drink off of the table. Reporter when the woman went to the rest room sonya went to warn her. I just said that guy youre with put something in your drink. And she said, oh, my god. Hes one of my best friends. Reporter back at the table, the other woman told restaurant staff who began to stall to prevent 24yearold michael chu from getting away. Security watched the footage and security called the santa monica police. Reporter chu, arrested and charged with assault and drugging with attempt to commit rape. His bond 1 million. Attempts to reach him or his lawyers have been unsuccessful. Police still waiting for the results of chemical testing on the drink. All we know is we had to Say Something. Reporter after the arrest, many in the restaurant thanked the friends. Someone from each and every one of the tables had a story of how it happened to them, how it happened to their sister, how it happened to their roommate, men and women. Reporter stories that fall in line with alarming national statistics. Cdc reporting more than 90 of victims know the rapist. And in a 12month period, they estimate ov80 alcohol or drugfacilitated rape. Do something. Just anything. Anything. Just Say Something. Reporter the friends hoping their story will inspire others to have courage and act if they see someone in danger. Gadi schwartz, nbc news, los angeles. Were back in a moment with a frightening crash that sent a tractor trailer over the edge. Moment with a frightening crash that sent the sunll come out tomorrow. Moment with a frightening crash that sent for people with Heart Failure, tomorrow is not a given. But entresto is a medicine that helps make more tomorrows possible. Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love ya, tomorrow in the largest Heart Failure study ever. Entresto helped more people stay alive and out of the hospital than a leading Heart Failure medicine. Women who are pregnant must not take entresto. It can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Dont take entresto with an ace inhibitor or aliskiren. Dont take entresto. The most serious side effects are angioedema, low Blood Pressure. Kidney problems, or high potassium in your blood. Tomorrow, tomorrow i love ya, tomorrow. Ask your heart doctor about entresto. And help make tomorrow possible. Youre only a day away masame time tomorrow, fellas . New dr. Scholls stimulating step insoles. They massage key pressure points with each step, for all day comfort that keeps you feeling more energized. Dudes got skills. New dr. Scholls stimulating step insoles. If you have allergy congestion muddling through your morning is nothing new. Introducing rhinocort® allergy spray from the makers of zyrtec®. Powerful relief from nasal allergy symptoms, all day and all night. Try new rhinocort® allergy spray. All day and all night. And i quit smoking with chantix. I was absolutely frustrated, absolutely. I did not think chantix would work as well as it did. Along with support, Chantix Varenicline is proven to help people quit smoking. Chantix reduced my urge to smoke. Some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. Some had seizures while taking chantix. If you have any of these, stop chantix and call your doctor right away. Tell your doctor about any history of Mental Health problems, which could get worse or of seizures. Dont take chantix if youve had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. If you have these, stop chantix and call your doctor right away as some can be lifethreatening. Tell your doctor if you have heart or blood vessel problems, or develop new or worse symptoms. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Decrease alcohol use while taking chantix. Use caution when driving or operating machinery. Most common sideaffect is nausea. I did it. I quit smoking. Ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. Holiday traffic was snarled along a major expressway here in new york when an accident left a tractor trailer dangling from an overpass. Officials say the driver lost control and hit the car in front of him with two other vehicles also involved. The driver was able to crawl out of the cab with minor injuries. Two others also had minor injuries. Scarmoments on both coasts this Holiday Weekend when sharks attacked two swimmers. A woman was pulled out of the water in newport beach, carn to be from a great white. And in florida, a teen suffered a gash on his leg from whats believed to be a five to sixfoot shark. Neither shark was located after the attacks. Now you can catch an amazing sight in the sky tonight and you dont even need a telescope to do it. Mars will be visible to the naked eye this evening because this is the closest the red planet has come to earth in 11 years. 46 million miles away. Now, the best chance for viewing this evening, but you might also still catch a glimpse through friday. So when we come back, a veteran we followed from his injury in battle to the graduation stage. His new Mission Helping other just like him. Huffing and puffing. Like you do sometimes, grandpa . Well, when you have copd, it can be hard to breathe. It can be hard to get air out, which can make it hard to get air in. So i talked to my doctor. She said. Symbicort could help you breathe better, starting within 5 minutes. For sudden symptoms. Symbicort helps provide significant improvement of your lung function. Symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It should not be taken more than twice a day. Symbicort contains formoterol. Medicines like formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. Symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. You should tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. Symbicort could mean a day with better breathing. Watch out, piggies children giggle symbicort. Breathe better starting within 5 minutes. Call or go online to learn more about a free trial offer. If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. You dont let anything keep you thats why you drink ensure. Sidelined. With 9 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. For the strength and energy to get back to doing. What you love. Ensure. Always be you. Flea bites can mean misery for your cat. Advantage® ii monthly topical kills fleas through contact. Fleas do not have to bite your cat to die. Advantage® ii. Fight the misery of biting fleas. Introduces new, easytoswallow tablets. So now, there are more ways, for more people. To experience. Complete protection from frequent heartburn. Nexium 24hr. The easytoswallow tablet is here. When agerelated macular have degeneration, amd we came up with a plan to help reduce my risk of progression. And everywhere i look. Im reminded to stick to my plan. Including Preservision Areds 2. My doctor said Preservision Areds 2 has the exact nutrient formula that the National Eye Institute recommends of moderate to advanced amd. After 15 years of clinical studies. Preservision areds 2. Because my eyes are everything. Finally tonight on this memorial day, a veterans incredible journey. Our team first met him in a makeshift hospital in iraq as part of our series, wounds of war. Now hes celebrating an incredible achievement in memory of fallen friends. Our longtime correspondent and member of the nbc news family, robert bazell, now retired, returns tonight with this remarkable new chapter in the life of an American Hero whom hes followed now for nearly a decade. Reporter Graduation Day at the america. Evan thomas cole. Reporter evan coles masters degree in architecture is the culmination of a journey marked by anguish, courage and determination. Something i had promised my friends that died in iraq, some of them saved me, that im going to try to do something with my life thats meaningful. Reporter it was 2007 when we first saw the young army specialist. He was near death when he was rushed into the Field Hospital in iraq. An open tibia fracture. Reporter a bomb blasted his humvee killing two other troops. This is a quick read for the doc. Reporter doctors decided he should be transported to landstuhl hospital in germany on a giant c17, a flying intensive care unit. We all joined the army around the same time. Reporter we next saw evan five months later in the u. S. He had already endured dozens of surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy, and he was showing signs of traultic brain injury. I forget whole people, whole conversations. Forgetting all kinds of stuff. And i was through a lot of extreme real bad irritability. Reporter his doctor did not hold out high hopes. I envision evan to be able to live in the community, potentially alone some day, walk on his own. Reporter hi, evan. Good to see you. Hey, good to see you, too. Reporter this has been a long time. Yes, nine years. Reporter when you see the tape we have of the doctor who said the best that you could ever do was maybe live by yourself, whats your response to that . I love that he said that about me because that has motivated me more times than i could even count through the last couple years to prove him wrong. Reporter that motivation made him throw away his cane and pain medication, even though his pain is still constant. I was about to be discharged. Reporter and during three long years in a the decision to go to college. I have had to come up with new strategies in my life to remember things. This coming right through here is the river. Reporter for his architecture thesis, he designed a rehab clinic for wounded veterans for his home town of traverse city, michigan. He sees it as a model for v. A. Facilities in places far from a big hospital. I just like to make it so that if anybody else who has fought for this country, like i did, has to go through this, that it could be better than it was for me. Not saying that it was bad, but id like it to be better. This is the class of 2016. Congratulations. Reporter evan cole is delivering on that promise to fallen friends. Looking forward to the future. Reporter robert bazell, nbc news, washington. Congratulations to evan, and how nice to see bob bazell reporting this evening. That will do it for us tonight on this monday. Im Thomas Roberts in for lester. For all of us at nbc [000 28 59;00] news, thank you for watching and good night. I just hope it makes people feel good when they listen to it. He kept us waiting for three years
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