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Police Release Man Detained In Brown University Shooting; Reiner Family Announces Deaths Of Rob And Michelle Reiner; Australian Leaders Agree To Tighten Gun Laws After Shooting; Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Found Guilty. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired December 15, 2025 - 04:00   ET

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

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

[04:00:34]

BRIAN ABEL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello and welcome. I'm Brian Abel in Washington, D.C.

We are following a number of major breaking news stories this hour. In Los Angeles, the family of famed director, Rob Reiner, has announced his death and that of his wife Michelle. This comes after a 78-year- old man and 68-year-old woman were found dead at an address associated with the Hollywood director.

The L.A. Police Department says investigators are not seeking any suspects at this stage of the investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chief, why are you not exactly looking for a suspect? Are you confident you know who did this?

ALAN HAMILTON, DEPUTY CHIEF, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: We have not identified a suspect at this time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well then, shouldn't you be looking for one so these neighbors aren't worried about their own lives and their own safety?

HAMILTON: Yes. So at this time, after we determine -- so I need everyone to understand something in order to -- to comply with the legal process, before we do anything here, we have to get a search warrant because there are issues regarding standing at this residence.

So as long as those legal requirements are met, we can continue the investigation. Now when I tell you that we have not identified a suspect, it doesn't mean that we're not working the case. We will not identify a suspect until that person is identified as a suspect and we're legally seeking them if there is a crime to be reported and if that person is a suspect in that crime.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And across the country in Rhode Island, authorities say the person of interest detained in Saturday's deadly shooting at Brown University has been released from custody. They are now seeking more video evidence as they search for the shooter. Rhode Island's governor says, there are still, quote, a lot of steps to take in the investigation.

Members of the community in Providence have been holding vigils in honor of the Brown University victims. The city's mayor says law enforcement continues to follow new leads and he addressed concerns about the shooter still being at large.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, is it safe to say that you all believe at this point is the suspect behind the shooting, are they still in this community? I know you said, there's not danger to this community. But is that person (INAUDIBLE) have they left the state?

BRETT SMILEY, MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE: So we have no way of knowing. And -- and the investigation is ongoing. We continue to follow leads that have been developed over the last day and a half and we're continuing to ask for help.

One of the things that Providence police will be doing and we should let our neighbors know is that we are searching for additional video evidence. And so neighbors in the area of Brown University should expect to see Providence police in the neighborhood canvassing, looking for additional evidence specifically looking for additional video evidence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Law enforcement officials say they are still looking for the person seen in the video here on your screen right now dressed all in black with his back toward the camera. Authorities say there are no suspects identified at this time.

CNN's Leigh Waldman has more on the investigation from Providence.

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LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in the Providence community, it feels like we've almost taken one step forward, but now, two steps back after the person of interest who was detained by authorities has now been released.

The mayor of this community, Mayor Brett Smiley, telling people this community is still safe. But when we pressed him asking, is there any indication that the person who committed this violent act at Brown University is still here or if they've gone? He says that they frankly have no way of knowing.

So he sympathizes with people who might be going to bed with a little more anxiety. They renewed this call asking for people to send in their videos, photos from their homes, businesses anywhere in the area around Brown University that might show the face of the person that they released that 10-second clip of video leaving down Hope Street turning onto Waterman Street.

The attorney general saying, frankly, we don't have a picture of this guy's face yet. If we did, we would share it. Now, he spoke a little bit about the change in direction here saying they were following leads. They were following evidence. At the time, it pointed to the person of interest that they had detained.

Unfortunately, that evidence, those interviews led nowhere. So they're having to change course, but he reassured people saying though we have not solved this thing yet, they will get it solved.

The police chief also weighing in saying, they didn't have enough evidence to charge the person that they had detained. All of this kind of leading to a feeling of anxiety here in the community of Providence.

[04:05:08]

We know when people wake up when the sun rises, the mayor says, you will see more law enforcement working on the street combing the area around Brown University trying to get a conclusion to the tragedy that happened there on Saturday evening.

Leigh Waldman, CNN, Providence, Rhode Island.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: And now to Los Angeles where an investigation is underway in the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle. At a press conference earlier, an LAPD spokesperson said that, quote, they are currently not searching for anyone as a suspect or in any other manner at this time, but said they are in the process of obtaining search warrants to gain access to the Reiner's home.

Earlier, we spoke to CNN's chief law enforcement and security analyst John Miller.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: This is one of the most upscale neighborhoods on the level with Beverly Hills in West L.A. These are -- this street is one block away from Rockingham, the street we know from all of the testimony of the O.J. Simpson case.

These are wealthy people. Many of them are famous people. This is considered literally one of the safest neighborhoods in the entire city of Los Angeles with police patrols, private patrols, cameras, alarms.

So people there are going to be listening very closely to determine, is there a threat to that neighborhood? I think Chief Hamilton went to some degree to say to indicate that they don't see that at this stage. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And joining me now from New York is entertainment journalist Michael Musto. Michael, thank you for being with us.

Give us a sense, if you can, of the impact that Reiner had on Hollywood. His filmography is so extensive when "Harry Met Sally," "The Princess Bride," "A Few Good Men," "Misery," "The American President." Those are all films I hold in high regard. And I'm also just learning that the former production company, Castle Rock Entertainment, was founded by Reiner.

So, how much of a loss is his death for the industry?

MICHAEL MUSTO, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: His career really spanned tremendous diversity. He really went from a two-time Emmy winning actor as Meathead, the ultra-liberal on "All in the Family" to a director with the films that you mentioned. And also "This is Final Tap," which had a sequel just this year.

The films that he made were so diverse that they went from like a courtroom melodrama, like "A Few Good Men" to "Princess Bride," which was kind of fantastic oracle. Seem like Rob Reiner could do just about anything.

And he was also extremely beloved among actors because he worked with the unions. He always fought for what's right. He had a horrible raging, you know, hatred of injustice. He was always fighting against that.

So he was more than just an actor turned director. He was an all- around real icon and a real presence who changed Hollywood and so did his wife.

ABEL: And you mentioned his relationships with those in Hollywood. How is Hollywood responding to the news of his death?

MUSTO: It was utter shock, utter horror. He was somebody we thought would be around forever. We have no idea what's -- what happened in this situation. There are inklings and there are murmurs, of course, but we're not going to go there until there's more information.

But it's just such a shock to wonderful people like the Reiners are just taken away. There's no way to explain it.

ABEL: Yes. And it's not just the entertainment industry, politicians, Kamala Harris, Governor Newsom, Nancy Pelosi all coming out with condolences. Barack Obama as well.

It's not just Rob Reiner, as you mentioned though, his wife Michelle as well, married since 1989. A longevity that can be kind of rare in Hollywood, both found dead, the Reiner family announced. Tell us about their life.

MUSTO: Well, he met -- he met her when she was a photographer on the set of "When Harry Met Sally." And he actually changed the ending of the movie because of his relationship with her. He changed the movie, spoiler alert, to where Harry stays with Sally, professes his love for her. Happy ending because he realized you could have a happy ending. He had that with his -- with his new wife and they collaborated on many things, whether it be movies or documentaries or research, they were really a partnership team and his wife fueled a lot of his activism and his liberal tendencies and kind of put a fire under him for Rob to be more and more vocal and more and more active.

ABEL: Let's talk about the activism because outside of his film work, he did champion the handful of causes. Can you walk us through some of those?

[04:10:04]

MUSTO: The activism? He worked with the unions to get, you know, fair -- everything, fair benefits for actors. He worked to fight for gay rights in all 50 states, which we did get gay marriage.

He was constantly railing against injustice. He didn't like Donald Trump to put him mildly. He was always raging against the current administration.

And inside, there's a lot of enemies as well as a lot of support, but I found that he was much more supportive than antagonized against. There was a sense that he really was very courageous and spoke his mind in a way that gathered a lot of admiration, even from those that didn't necessarily agree with everything he said.

ABEL: I know this news is still being processed, is shocking. Michael Musto, really appreciate your time. Thank you for joining us.

MUSTO: Thank you so much.

ABEL: OK. Now to Australia, where leaders have agreed to toughen the country's already strict gun laws after the deadly shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. At least 15 people were killed and dozens injured and what authorities are calling a terror attack, targeting Jewish people celebrating the start of Hanukkah.

Police say the gunman were a father and son duo. The father was shot and killed by authorities at the scene. The son is in the hospital in critical but stable condition. Officials say the younger suspect was previously on the radar of authorities, but he wasn't deemed a threat. He's now expected to face charges. Witnesses describe the chaos as the attack unfolded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw those fireworks at the start and then next second, we say people flying on the floor. Some kid gets shot. It was probably the worst I've ever seen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All hell broke loose. There's just people everywhere, kids everywhere, kids screaming, people screaming. And, yes, just everyone everywhere just -- yes, it was -- it was horrible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about what changes he wanted to make to the country's gun laws.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: The government is prepared to take whatever actions necessary, included in that is the need for tougher gun laws. And this afternoon at four o'clock, I will put on the agenda of the National Cabinet.

Tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or -- or licensed by individuals. A review of licenses over a period of time. People circumstances change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity. And checks, of course, making sure that those checks and balances are in place as well.

We will task, I'll take to the National Cabinet this afternoon, a proposal to empower agencies to examine what can be done in this area.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: CNN's Angus Watson joins us live from Sydney with the latest on this tragedy and the investigation. Angus.

ANGUS WATSON, CNN PRODUCER: Let me just bring you to where I am now. I am at a memorial here for the 15 people who lost their lives in this anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday. And take a listen, the people here honoring the people who died in song. Listen to this.

(SINGING)

We just had a very moving sermon from a rabbi here as he lit the two -- the second candle on the Hanukkah Menorah. Tonight is meant to be the second evening of Hanukkah. It should be a celebration. Instead, it's a memorial service here.

But the rabbi said that we need to light tonight's candle. We need to light tomorrow night's candle too, because each day, it doesn't matter how much light you brought, the next day, you have to bring more.

And that's how the community here feels. They're recovering in the early stages from a horrific attack against them in which 15 people lost their lives. Over 20 people are in hospital now. And the community wants to come together to create a better society, perhaps in which anti-Semitism, like the -- the -- the ideology that fueled this horrific terror attack on Sunday isn't a part of society anymore.

So, we have a -- a police investigation that's obviously ongoing on the back -- in the background to all this. We have one of the gunmen killed at the scene. The other gunmen in a critical but stable condition in hospital. That's what the police are focusing on right now.

[04:15:09]

What could have been much worse was if not for the heroic actions of one man, the father of two, whose parents had just arrived as refugees from Syria, Ahmed Al Ahmed, who attacked one of the gunmen, wrestled his gun away from him, and then used that gun to protect the communities, an extraordinary footage that's perhaps showing some ray of light that even in the darkest moments, people's humanity comes to the fore and be willing to stick up for others, even if it meant risking their lives.

ABEL: Angus, touching moments there at that vigil heartbreaking as well as the grief sets in for -- for so many in the community there.

Angus Watson for us in Sydney. Angus, thank you.

The verdict is in a landmark trial that's been seen as a test of Hong Kong's freedoms under Beijing. Media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of national security offenses. We'll go live to Hong Kong for the reaction to a verdict that is being closely watched around the world.

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ABEL: Media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, has been found guilty in a landmark national security trial in Hong Kong. Lai was one of the highest profile critics of Beijing after a series of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

He was charged under a sweeping national security law imposed on the semi-autonomous city in 2020. Lai was found guilty on two national security charges, as well as a lesser sedition charge.

Let's bring in CNN's Kristie Lu Stout live from Hong Kong. And, Kristie, there has been a few hours now to digest this verdict. What's been the reaction so far?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it is an incredible verdict. Jimmy Lai was one of the most high-profile critics of Beijing. This was a marathon trial. And finally today, we have a verdict. The former media mogul here in Hong Kong found guilty of sedition, guilty on two counts of colluding with foreign forces.

And collusion here in Hong Kong is an extremely serious crime under the national security law. The law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong the summer of 2020. It is punishable by up to life in prison sentencing that will come next. Earlier, Lai had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

And earlier today, I was in the courtroom during the verdict. And Lai, he appeared calm. He was wearing glasses, a blazer, a light green sweater. At one point, he raised his hand, said hello to his wife. And one of his sons were sitting right behind me. And alongside them, Cardinal Joseph Zen. Before the verdict was read aloud, we heard from the judge who said, quote, absolute silence must be maintained, even well-wishes. Nothing could be said.

And after the verdict in English was delivered, Jimmy Lai wearing headphones. He looked straight ahead. The courtroom was absolutely silent.

This is the highest profile national security law trial since the law was imposed on the territory. This trial has been roundly criticized by Western governments, Western governments, including the United States, have appealed for the release of Jimmy Lai.

In fact, U.S. President Donald Trump, just a couple months ago, urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping, when they had talks in South Korea, to free Jimmy Lai. But China, all along, has warned against foreign interference. Hong Kong insists that this was a fair trial and Beijing has the back of Hong Kong.

We have a fresh statement coming up that I just want to share with you. This is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing that just wrapped this afternoon. And this is what the spokesman said, saying this, quote, "Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law. The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR and safeguarding national security and punishing crimes, endangering national security in accordance with the law."

Went on to say, "We urge relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong," unquote.

Now, again, Jimmy Lai faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Lai is already 78 years old. He's spent five years behind bars. And so for him, life would most likely mean life. Back to you.

ABEL: And, Kristie, you know, we -- we see here in some of the images and video that we've been showing the media frenzy around Jimmy Lai.

Can you just give us a sense of his background of why his legal fate is so significant?

LU STOUT: Absolutely, Brian. Look, Jimmy Lai is a longtime pro- democracy activist who has, for decades, been a thorn in the side of Beijing. And he also embodies the classic rags to riches story.

You know, he was smuggled into Hong Kong from Guangdong Province when he was a 12-year-old boy. He worked in a factory. He started selling stocks. He made a small fortune. He started a retail chain called Giordano that was huge across Greater China than the Tiananmen crackdown happened. And he shifted focus.

He sold his retail chain and he doubled down on his media platform and his media empire. And that is Apple Daily. He has been a long-term critic of the Chinese Communist Party.

And today, his fate has been almost sealed. He has been accused of sedition and two counts of colluding with foreign forces. And we will continue to follow the story when it said that comes next. Brian.

ABEL: And we know you will. Kristie Lu Stout for us in Hong Kong. Kristie, thank you.

LU STOUT: Thank you.

ABEL: All right. We have more breaking news coverage still ahead on the deaths of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle. Up next, what the L.A. police are saying about their investigation.

[04:25:09]

Plus, the latest on the search for the gunman who killed at least two people on the campus of Brown University. You're watching CNN.

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ABEL: We are following multiple breaking news stories at this hour, including the investigation into the Brown University shooting on Saturday. Police have released a man detained as a person of interest, saying evidence --