Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Anika Mahns is Interviewed about the Brown University Shooting; Numbers on the Economy and Inflation; Segun Oduolowu is Interviewed about Rob Reiner. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired December 15, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:31:33]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, welcome back to Brown University here in Providence, Rhode Island. The breaking news this morning, there is very much an active manhunt to find the shooter who killed two students and injured nine others at the engineering building right behind me.

The fact that it is an active manhunt is a really stunning turn of events. Overnight, officials announced they were going to release someone they had been calling a person of interest who had been in custody since early yesterday morning. They now say the evidence points in a different direction.

So, people here in Providence and the remaining students here at Brown University grappling with the reality of the fact that the shooter is still at large.

With us now is Anika Mahns, a senior who had been working at the university's fitness center as the attack unfolded.

Anika, nice to see you again this morning.

Tell us overnight what did it feel like to get the news that the shooter was still on the loose?

ANIKA MAHNS, BROWN UNIVERSITY STUDENT: Yes, I was with my friends last night and we were all in like a circle watching the press conference. And, you know, it's, obviously, shocking. But also just, like, very disappointing and scary. I think, like, all of us are just trying to get out of this area as soon as possible.

My flight is -- I'm leaving in like two hours. Most of my friends have changed their flights. So, it's definitely just a little scary for sure for all of us.

BERMAN: OK, you're from Alaska, right?

MAHNS: Yes.

BERMAN: And so you had to find a way to get out of here. I know you're headed south at this point as quickly as you can, which is understandable.

The other students you've spoken to, how are they all doing?

MAHNS: Just I think scared is the only way to put it. Like, everyone's just uncertain about what's happening. I think a lot of people are very paranoid, too. Rightfully so. It's just hard to be able to, like, walk around and live your life knowing that, like, someone's out there. And we keep getting information that, like, we are unsure about, which is very hard to be able to navigate.

BERMAN: Is the university keeping you updated?

MAHNS: Yes. Yes, they are. I think that just like people are paranoid. So, any time --

BERMAN: And look, it's understandable.

MAHNS: Yes.

BERMAN: I know overnight there was a scare. People heard some bangs and there was a sense that there might be something new going on that didn't turn out to be anything.

So, remind us of where you were when the shooting took place. You were working the front desk at the gym, which ended up being somewhere where people ran to after.

MAHNS: Yes. So, I worked my supervisor shift at the front desk during that time. And just had to make sure I got everyone upstairs. And, you know, waited and barricaded the doors to make sure that we were there before, like, and further notice from Brown.

BERMAN: You know, you grew up in this era of school shootings, knowing what happens at different places. Was -- what was it like when you realized it was sort of happening all around you?

MAHNS: I think that it took some time for me to like process what was happening. My first thought is just like, since I am working here at the gym where there's around 150 people, my first priority is just to make sure that I'm following protocols and making sure I'm doing what I can to make sure everyone's safe.

BERMAN: To look out for other people.

MAHNS: Yes.

BERMAN: Before you looked out for yourself in a way.

You know, Brown University put -- this is when they would have been announcing early admissions today. The university put out a note saying that's going to be delayed a few days. I think everyone working through what happens next here.

You're heading out today. You put any thought about what it's going to be like when you do come back?

MAHNS: I think that things are going to be a lot different from now on just security wise.

[09:35:01]

Like, having guests on campus. I don't know how they're going to handle, like, having buildings open and how they're going to keep track of everything. I think -- I'm hoping that there's more, you know, like cameras around campus. Like, I feel like it's a little shocking that that was the only footage that we have. I'm just hoping that they are able to, like, learn a little more on how we can, like, keep the campus safer.

But, yes, I don't think it's going to be the same. I think even just walking out of my house feels -- is going to feel different. I'm going to have more self-conscious about, like, what I'm doing and where I'm going on the streets, you know.

BERMAN: Sort of a sad commentary on where things are.

MAHNS: Yes.

BERMAN: Anika Mahns, it's great to see you. Get out safely today, if you can. And we wish you all the best to you and your friends. Just, you know, stay with each other. Hang in there.

MAHNS: Yes. Thank you.

BERMAN: Thanks so much.

So, Kate, you get a sense, again, of what's, I think, natural feelings here. Really to feel the relief from yesterday only to snap back into the idea that you have to be on the lookout almost anywhere you go is just -- it just has to be so tough for anyone of any age, let alone a student.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's -- that's a tough thing for everyone to be dealing with and processing right now when they're already processing so much. It's been quite a turnabout just overnight. And you can see that in -- see that and hear that. See that on their faces and hear that in everything that they're telling you this morning, J.B.

We'll get right back to John.

We're also watching this. Federal authorities are investigating this morning after a close call between a JetBlue plane and a military aircraft. New audio from the cockpit during the moments the pilot said could have quickly turned into a midair collision.

And verdict watch. The fate of Brian Walshe could be decided today following that disturbing murder trial we watched so closely. The jury just resumed deliberations. More on what could come any time now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:41:14] BOLDUAN: So, this morning, as President Trump insists -- continues to insist the economy is booming and that prices are falling, there is new polling out that shows that people are still not feeling that and are pessimistic about where things are headed.

CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten has much more on this. He's been digging into it.

What do you see in these numbers?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, you know, Donald Trump was elected to solve the economic crisis, to solve the pricing crisis. But at this particular point, these numbers are going in the complete wrong direction.

On the economy, the country is going in the wrong track, the right track. You go back to January. These numbers were pretty split, right? Forty-three percent said wrong track, 36 percent said right track, right. When Donald Trump came into office.

But look at that. That wrong track number has skyrocketed up to 56 percent, my goodness gracious, who say that the country, at least when it comes to the economy, is on the wrong track. And that right track number, Kate Bolduan, has fallen to 29 percent. So, what was a single digit spread has ballooned up to a 27-point spread in the negative direction.

The bottom line is this, Donald Trump is trying to spin a narrative, and the American people aren't buying the spin that is coming out of the White House.

BOLDUAN: Now, in these new numbers, what is driving the pessimism?

ENTEN: Yes, what is driving the pessimism? I mean we've done a bunch of segments on this, and we're going to continue to do segments on this when polling like what came out yesterday from NBC News continues to show it.

Top concern for -- economic concern for you and your family. Look at this, number one, we've said it over and over again, 44 percent, 44 percent say inflation. I looked at the second one on it. Look at that, it's all the way back at nine percent, taxes and take home pay. It's inflation overwhelmingly driving this economic pessimism. And I will tell you this, until the economy, until the American people think that inflation is under control, they will continue to have pessimistic feelings about the economy because inflation is numero uno by a wide, wide margin in driving this economic pessimism.

BOLDUAN: Setting aside the president on this, how does this look party versus party?

ENTEN: Yes, OK. So, I think this is the key thing, right, because oftentimes they'll say, hey, look, you know, we're blaming the president. But we've seen some polling in which Republicans still lead Democrats. But take a look here, party trust and more on rising prices. Back in

October of 2022, before that midterm election, it was Republicans trusted more by 14 points. You come now, it's a completely different tune. Now Democrats are trusted more by four points. So, it's not just the president that the American people are turning on when it comes to inflation, it is, in fact, the Republican Party as well. A massive shift to the left towards the Democratic Party.

BOLDUAN: Where are the prediction markets on all of this?

ENTEN: OK, so here's, I think, the key question going forward is, is inflation going to get any better?

BOLDUAN: Right.

ENTEN: And this is a great chance to use the prediction markets. Chance November's CPI year over year report equals or is above the previous 3.0 percent, 80 percent. The bottom line is this, there is no relief in sight. At this point it looks like inflation will remain at a level that the American people think is unacceptable.

BOLDUAN: Yes, definitely. No one believes that there's any relief in sight, that's for sure.

ENTEN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Harry, thank you so much.

ENTEN: Thank you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: And there is a lot of breaking news we're following. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:48:54]

BOLDUAN: This morning there is new cockpit audio after a JetBlue flight nearly collided with a U.S. Air Force aircraft off the coast of Venezuela. The flight had departed from the Caribbean nation of Curacao, headed to New York. And the pilot on the JetBlue flight is heard blaming the military plane for the scare. He spoke to air traffic control as this played out. Just listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JETBLUE PILOT: We almost had a midair collision up here. We just had traffic pass directly in front of us within five miles of us, maybe two or three miles, but it was an air-to-air refueler from the United States Air Force. They don't have their transponder turned on. It's outrageous. We had to stop our climb and actually descend to avoid hitting them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: The incident notably comes at the time that the U.S. military, as we've been talking so much about, has stepped up its military presence in that region as the president -- to carry out the president's anti-drug trafficking campaign in the Caribbean, and is also seeking to increase pressure on Venezuela's government.

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai has learned his verdict and now faces possibly spending the rest of his life in prison after being found guilty on national security charges and a sedition charge.

[09:50:07]

Lai, a longtime critic of Beijing, pleaded not guilty to all charges, but judges delivering his verdict pointed to his work lobbying in the United States during President Trump's first term as evidence of sedition and collusion.

And moments ago, a Massachusetts jury resumed deliberating in the murder trial of Brian Walshe. The father of three is charged with killing his wife, Ana. While he has admitted to illegally disposing of her body, Walshe has maintained he did not kill her. The jury deliberated for nearly four hours on Friday after hearing eight days of witness testimony. And Walshe had been planning to take the stand, but the defense team changed course the last minute, ending with the defense rested its case Thursday morning without presenting any evidence.

Let's turn back to this breaking news that we've been following this morning. A tragic end for a Hollywood icon. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, have been found dead inside their Los Angeles home. The death of this movie legend has people across the industry and beyond, from fellow actors to former presidents, paying tribute to the man that Rob Reiner was and the undeniable impact that he has had on movie -- on movie and television -- on the movie and television industry across the last six decades spanning his career.

Joining me right now to talk more about this is entertainment journalist Shagun Oduolowu.

It's great to see you, Shagun.

Can you -- let's just start with as ever -- it's kind of setting in and there is clearly an investigation that is ongoing and a lot of questions around what happened here. But what has been lost here with the death of Rob Reiner?

SEGUN ODUOLOWU, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: What has been lost is one of is one of the most unique voices in Hollywood. First, the voice of an activist who is willing to stand up for things that he believed in and talk politics and talk activism in corners that weren't always appreciated, but were always respected and understood that he wasn't going to shy away from the fight.

But the most unique voice, if you look at his run from "This is Spinal Tap" to "Stand by Me," to Harry -- "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "Princess Bride," were looking at a mind and a voice that was so varied and so smart and so -- an ability to direct children in "Stand by Me," adults with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally," and then Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. To have those on your resume, that's what we've lost. We've lost a voice in Hollywood that gave us memories that I don't care how old you are, if you're a new movie, old movie, classic, everything Rob Reiner touched was memorable. Whether he was acting as, you know, as the -- in Archie Bunker in "All In the Family," wherever you saw Rob Reiner, you saw this incredible just -- this incredible talent. And that, to me, is what's lost amidst the speculation of what happened. I want to focus on what we've lost.

BOLDUAN: And also there was -- and maybe its unknowable, but -- or it's hard to put into words, but what is it about -- he produced movies, films and stories that were just so quotable, with moments that stuck for generations. I mean this -- some of the quotes from his movies define -- I mean "The Princess Bride" was a defining moment in my life. And these are moments that I quote back and forth with my sisters all the time.

ODUOLOWU: When I -- when I hosted "Boston Globe Today," a TV show for "The Boston Globe," I had the pleasure of interviewing Mandy Patinkin. And I asked him point blank, how often do you get stopped for your line, "my name is Inigo Montoya." You know, "you killed my father. Prepare to die." How much do you get stopped on the street for that amongst all the things that you've done? And he was like, at least once a day. At least once a day someone stops him because of the -- his character from a "Princess Bride." "You can't handle the truth," in "A Few Good Men" is with all of us. "I'll have what she's having" from Harry met -- "When Harry Met Sally." These all stay with us. These one liners, these quotables. And he delivered. And like I said, it didn't matter your gender, your race, your whatever, he made good movies, and we are all that much more fortunate for having seen them.

BOLDUAN: Brent Lang of "Variety" was on with me earlier in the show, and he said, no matter what you thought of his politics, just -- he was such an affable, genial, kind of like effervescent human. He was kind of considered the mayor of Hollywood just because kind of essentially just Rob Reiner just gave good vibes and also was not even -- didn't seem to be even close to heading towards retirement. I mean he was just out releasing "Spinal Tap Two."

[09:55:00]

ODUOLOWU: Yes, there was no slowing down for him. You know, he said in an interview a while back, I make the movies. I tell the stories that I want to tell now. I don't have to do anything that I don't want to do when it comes to the art form. And that is the height that we all aspire to in our profession, where we tell the stories, we talk about the things that we want to talk about. And him going back to "Spinal Tap" is a -- is a great example of this.

Hey, let's run it back. Let's do this because I can and I want to. So, he worked with his family, his wife, who passed away, was a noted photographer. And, you know, changed the course of history because they met on the set of "When Harry Met Sally" and that forced him or led him to change the ending of the movie. So, to your point of his affability and the, you know, the mayor, unofficial mayor of Hollywood, he was just a good guy that even if you didn't agree with his politics, as you said, you didn't mind talking to him about anything.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

Segun, thank you so much for coming in on this day. A tragic day it is.

ODUOLOWU: Thank you for having me on.

BOLDUAN: Thank you.

Thank you all so much for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)