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Isa Soares Tonight
TMZ: New Note Offers to ID Guthrie Kidnapper for Bitcoin; Grand Jury Declines to Indict Democrats Who Urged U.S. Service Members to Disobey Illegal Orders; El Paso Airspace Closure; Canadian Police Speaking After Deadly School Shooting; Nine Dead After Canada's Worst School Shooting in Decades. Pam Bondi's Testimony at the House Oversight Hearing Erupts into a Shouting Match with Bondi Calling a Top Democrat a Washed-Up Loser Lawyer; Nine Dead After Mass Shooting in Tumbler Ridge British Columbia; President Trump Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for the Seventh Time in Less Than 13 Months. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired February 11, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, combative and contentious. Pam Bondi's
testimony at the House Oversight hearing erupts into a shouting match with the U.S. Attorney General calling one top Democrat a washed-up loser
lawyer.
We'll have more on that. Then, a mass shooting shocks Canada, leaving a remote mountain town mourning the deaths of at least nine people. Plus,
high stakes diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for the seventh time in less
than 13 months. We'll go live to Washington and to Jerusalem.
A busy hour after that, and much more just ahead. It is a busy hour, but we do begin with accusations of a massive cover-up at the U.S. Justice
Department over the international sex trafficking operation that's really at the heart of the Epstein files.
We've been following a firing hearing on Capitol Hill today for several hours. Questions devolved into shouting matches at times as lawmakers
grilled Attorney General Pam Bondi about the heavily-redacted files. Democrat Jamie Raskin told Bondi, quote, "abandoning victims and coddling
perpetrators is what you do best." Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JAMIE RASKIN (D-MD): You redacted the names of abusers, enablers, accomplices and co-conspirators, apparently to spare them embarrassment and
disgrace, which is the exact opposite of what the law ordered you to do. You're running a massive Epstein cover-up right out of the Department of
Justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Bondi would not directly answer when asked whether 1,000 people were assigned to scrub President Donald Trump's name from the files,
and she bristled when asked if she agreed with the FBI director that this, quote, "no credible information that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked girls to
anyone else." Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAM BONDI, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES: My position is any victim who comes forward, of course, we would love to hear from them -- 1-
800-call-FBI. Did you ask Merrick Garland that the last four years? Did you talk about Epstein?
REP. THOMAS MASSIE (R-KY): I am reclaiming my time --
BONDI: And all the last four years?
MASSIE: I am glad you're asking about Merrick Garland because this is bigger --
BONDI: You're going to reclaim time when you don't -- when you can't --
MASSIE: Than Watergate --
BONDI: Equate, I don't answer --
MASSIE: It is --
BONDI: The question --
MASSIE: This goes over four --
BONDI: The way you want --
MASSIE: Administrations. You don't have to go back --
BONDI: Four?
MASSIE: To Biden, let's go back to Obama, let's go back to George Bush. This cover up spans decades, and you are responsible for this portion of it
--
BONDI: Yes, and that --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Thomas Massie there. Well, another powerful moment involved survivors of Epstein's crimes. You see them standing there attending
today's hearing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PRAMILA JAYAPA (D-WA): To the survivors in the room, if you're willing, please stand, and if you are willing, please raise your hands if
you have still not been able to meet with this Department of Justice. Please note for the record that every single survivor has raised their
hand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: That moment clearly incredibly moving, and the calls for justice are only growing louder now that some lawmakers have begun reviewing the
unredacted files. One of them, Republican Nancy Mace, says she has lost all faith in the Justice Department.
She says that she has the names that she wants to testify before Congress using subpoena power if necessary. She says she is prepared to die on this
Hill. Those were her words, fighting for justice even if it costs her politically. Another lawmaker, Democrat Ro Khanna says 70 percent to 80
percent of the files are still redacted.
He accused the DOJ of hiding the names of six powerful, wealthy men for no apparent reason, also his words. He says the DOJ has fixed its mistake, and
yesterday, Khanna read those names on the House floor.
[14:05:00]
There's plenty for us to talk about this hour. I'm joined now by senior U.S. justice correspondent Evan Perez, an attorney and legal affairs
commentator Areva Martin. Thank you to have you -- to have -- for being here with us. Evan, let me start with you first of all.
These -- we played little clips there, but you know, for hours, these were some heated and combative exchanges, which clearly as we played there,
focused primarily on the Epstein files and some of the survivors, of course, were in that hearing, too. You were inside, I saw from the messages
you were putting out on our social media. Give us a sense of what stood out to you.
EVAN PEREZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the fact that the Attorney General came with -- you could see she -- with these papers that
she has on her -- on the -- on the table next to her, she came prepared with these one-liner zingers.
These are insults against members of Congress who she knew were going to ask very tough questions of her. It's something -- it's a strategy she used
very effectively in the previous hearings. And where, you know, clearly, where she doesn't want to answer a question or where she believes the
answer that she has is not going to be very good for her.
She relies on these one liners to insult members of Congress, to call into question something from their own districts as a way to divert attention.
And today, Jamie Raskin and a couple others called her on it. They tried to cut her off, and you could see some of that exchange going back and forth.
There was one Republican that was Representative Massie, who you saw there going back and forth with the Attorney General. And one of the things that
he pointed out was that there were all of these pages. He put it into the record, these dozens and dozens of pages of FBI records.
These were so-called 302s, right? These are interviews, in-take interviews of people providing evidence that the FBI -- that the Justice Department
has redacted completely entire black pages. And under the law that was passed last November, they were not supposed to be that way.
And so, that's one of the things that he brought up. I should note one quick thing here, that the Attorney General kept trying to say, why didn't
you ask these questions of Merrick Garland?
We should remind everyone that the reason why this Epstein thing is a problem for the administration is that Bondi is the one that opened this
entire issue a year ago when she went on "Fox News", claimed that she had an Epstein client's list on her desk, and then later on said she didn't,
right?
And so, that's why this issue won't go away for her. She created this problem, and now she can't run away from it.
SOARES: And Areva, let me bring you in and really pick up with what Evan was saying, because we heard lawmakers speak at length about victims names
being left unredacted, including Republican, as Evan was saying, Thomas Massie, who really didn't hold back.
But what we heard were many lawmakers painting, trying -- painting the DOJ as incompetent or sloppy, or even worse, corrupt. On the redactions front,
Bondi said -- I'm going to quote her here. She said that the era rate is, quote, "very low." Just your thoughts on that. And do you feel that she
gave any meaningful answers on this?
I don't think we can hear you. Give me a second, for some reason, Areva, we cannot hear you. Are you -- I'm going to ask -- no, OK, we're going to
check with Areva, see maybe she's muted. But Evan, let me -- let me -- let me ask you then about the redactions because and we'll --
PEREZ: Yes --
SOARES: Get Areva back. You said, and we know that Congress has been allowed to review these unredacted, right, files, but it has been in a
limited capacity. Although, talking about how many computers they have access to --
PEREZ: It was like four computers, right --
SOARES: Right, exactly, and hundreds and thousands of files. How did Bondi respond to this criticism? Because she was pushed on this several times.
PEREZ: Yes, she said -- she tried to minimize it. She also blamed -- she had a number of explanations including the fact that, she said the Justice
Department had a very short period of time to carry out the redactions, to be able to do this. You know, I should remind everyone that actually the
redactions began again, you know, last year.
Like in March and April, they were spending months doing these redactions. And so, the idea that these -- that the Justice Department didn't have
enough time to comply with the law just really doesn't make any sense. I mean, they -- when they want to comply with the law, they do it.
And so, in this case, there does seem to be an effort by the department to do the bare minimum, and in some cases over redacting. And that's one of
the criticisms that you heard repeatedly from members of Congress today.
SOARES: Yes, stay with us. I think we fixed Areva's problem. Areva, you still with us? Just really picking up --
AREVA MARTIN, ATTORNEY & LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: Yes --
SOARES: I'm hoping you heard my answer. But you know, what did you take away? And whether you thought she gave any meaningful answers on the
question of the redactions here?
[14:10:00]
MARTIN: Not at all. I think like Evan said that what we saw from this Attorney General was her effort to try to, I guess, go viral with these
zingers, these constant insults directed at lawmakers and deflection, refusal to answer simple questions because I don't think the answers look
good for her department.
I think her department has made a complete mess of this matter. They haven't complied with the law. They haven't been transparent. They haven't
been honest in what they have released to the public. And I think what was so telling about this, where those victims that raised their hands to say
they have not been able to communicate with this Department of Justice, we see this Department of Justice seeking to expose those individuals that
are, quote, unquote, "enemies of the President".
But not doing nearly enough to communicate with victims, to center the victims, or to do anything to give the American people any reassurance that
this is a fair and just --
SOARES: Yes --
MARTIN: Revelation of documents that they've been required to produce.
SOARES: And Areva, there was -- I mean, there were many numerous fiery exchanges, but I want to play one with Representative Nadler on the co-
conspirators. Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JERROLD NADLER (D-NY): The answer to my question, how many of Epstein's co-conspirators has she indicted is zero? You have been the
Attorney General for a whole year, and your DOJ fired the lead prosecutor of this case, sat on evidence this entire time and claimed falsely last
July that there were no more leads.
It took an act of Congress for you to finally release part of the Epstein files. And when you did, you included personal information about the
victims while protecting the names of abusers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: And this speaks to the point you are making, or even the lack of transparency and trust here when it comes to DOJ. Just explain to our
international audience why there haven't been more charges against more co- conspirators. Because we're seeing justice system going a different pace in the United States compared to what we're seeing in the U.K.
MARTIN: Well, the only explanation is that the Justice Department has decided that they want to protect these individuals, that these are rich
and powerful individuals who have been identified as co-conspirators, people who have been identified as engaging in the heinous conduct that
Jeffrey Epstein was charged with.
And there is no legal justification for not charging them other than the President has made it clear that he has a retribution list. And this
Department of Justice is spending all of its time by trying to indict six Democratic Congress folks who made statements to the military about not
following illegal directives from this White House.
That's how this Justice Department is spending this time, rather than going after these co-conspirators. And there is no justification that is
acceptable to the American people, and definitely not to these victims.
SOARES: Yes, and as you're talking, Areva, we're seeing, of course, Attorney General on Capitol Hill still being pressed on all these
questions. Of course, we'll keep across it. Areva Martin and Evan Perez, thank you to you both. We'll stay across the story, of course, throughout
the hour.
And we're going to continue to stay in the United States because for the seventh time in nearly 13 months, U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting
the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House. CNN captured this video of Benjamin Netanyahu entering privately on the South Lawn earlier, and he
left just a short time ago after meeting, really -- the last thing a little more than an hour.
I'm hoping we have the video, if not, we'll come back to it. At the top of today's agenda, ongoing tensions with Iran. Israeli sources say Mr.
Netanyahu is pressing the U.S. President to widen U.S. talks with Iran to include limits on missile arsenal. And this comes as Trump tells "Axios",
he might deploy a second Naval strike group to the Middle East.
And here you can see just how much military force has been built up near Iran. Mr. Trump expects a second round of negotiations to take place
sometimes -- some time, pardon me, next week. Joining us for tonight's coverage, Kevin Liptak at the "White House, Jeremy Diamond in Jerusalem.
So, Kevin, a lengthy meeting. Give us a sense of how it's gone.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes. and we've heard now from President Trump who wrote about it on Truth Social. He's describing a
relatively inconclusive session with Netanyahu, but he is also describing a relatively pointed message that he offered to the Prime Minister when it
comes to this question of Iran, and when it comes to this question of diplomacy.
He said, it was a very good meeting. He says that the tremendous relationship between our two countries continues. There was nothing
definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated. If it can, I'll
let the Prime Minister know that, that will be a preference, if it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.
And I think his word insisted there is pretty significant. You know, it was pretty evident that Netanyahu was coming to the White House to voice some
skepticism that this diplomacy was going to yield anything productive.
[14:15:00]
And you know, this meeting was originally meant to be next week. Netanyahu asked for it to be moved up today, which I think gives you a sense of the
urgency with which he was arriving here in Washington to discuss this with the President. You know, this was Netanyahu's -- I think, sixth visit to
the United States since President Trump took office.
Most of those meetings have taken place in front of cameras. This one occurred entirely behind the scenes. In my experience, the Presidents
typically do that when there's a disagreement at hand. They don't necessarily want that spilling into public view.
And I think that's sort of what is occurring here. There is a deep skepticism in the Israeli government that the President's diplomacy here is
going to be productive. I think at the very least, Netanyahu wanted to tell the President and encourage the President to expand these talks beyond just
Iran's nuclear program.
You know, that had been a red line for Iran. Netanyahu, who wants to see these talks encompass things like the ballistic missiles, Iran's support
for proxies in the region. It doesn't seem evident from the President's readout here that he was successful in stymieing these talks at all. But
clearly, the President making evident here that he will continue this diplomatic path.
SOARES: Yes, let me go to Jeremy, because Jeremy, I'm just looking at President Trump's message on Truth Social. He said there was nothing
definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated.
I imagine for the U.S. President, you know, reaching a deal is the priority here. What is the priority then? I mean, this is a seventh meeting with
Prime Minister Netanyahu. What is the priority for, of course, Prime Minister Netanyahu? Have we -- have a sense of the readout because I
remember he said Iran was first and foremost the issue on the agenda.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll pick up where Kevin left off, which is with this idea that while the Prime Minister was
clearly not successful in getting Trump to abandon this diplomatic effort with Iran, which again, is not clear entirely that, that was the Prime
Minister's aim here.
We don't yet know whether he was successful or not in convincing President Trump to expand the scope of those negotiations to return to what U.S.
officials initially planned to discuss with Iran, which was not only the nuclear file, but also the issue of Iran's ballistic missile program and
its support for regional proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis as well in the region.
And we don't yet know, there was nothing in President Trump's Truth Social post there to indicate whether or not that was discussed, whether or not --
SOARES: Yes --
DIAMOND: The Israeli Prime Minister was successful in that regard in terms of pushing President Trump to include those issues as well. We know in the
past, as recently as a few days ago, President Trump indicated that he would perhaps consider a deal that only focus on the nuclear issue if it
was a good deal.
And so, we don't yet know whether or not President Trump intends to revive those issues as key topics in these negotiations. We also understand from
Israeli sources that Prime Minister Netanyahu was intending to present new Israeli Intelligence to President Trump regarding the ways in which Israel
believes Iran is trying to reconstitute its ballistic missile program in ways that would threaten not only Israel, but also U.S. military bases in
the region.
And of course, also discuss military options with the President. The Israeli Prime Minister was indeed accompanied by his military secretary,
who is -- who he has now been nominated to be the next head of Israel's Intelligence service.
And so, obviously, that close Intelligence and defense partnership is still on display, and that military option for both President Trump as well as
for the Israelis, clearly very much remaining on the table even as President Trump once again recommitting to engaging in this diplomatic
effort. Isa?
SOARES: Hopefully, we'll get more of a readout from the Israeli side. Jeremy Diamond and Kevin Liptak, thank you very much to you both. We're
going to turn to Canada because the -- Canada is a nation this hour in shock and in mourning after a school shooting in a remote mountain town.
At least, nine people were killed and 25 others hurt when someone opened fire at a secondary school and at home in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Really, a picturesque community of only 2.400 people. Police tell CNN that right now, they're unable to publicly confirm the identity of the shooter,
who was found dead at the school from a self-inflicted injury.
Mass school shootings are extraordinarily rare in Canada, the last one on this scale was nearly half a century ago. Tumbler Ridge is at the foothills
of the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. Just to give you some perspective of the location. Our Paula Newton is in Ottawa with more details for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a report of an active shooter at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
[14:20:00]
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In this small, tight-knit community, shock and disbelief spread as soon as the shelter in place order
went out Tuesday afternoon. Mobile phone messages warned of an active shooter, describing the suspect as a woman wearing a dress with brown hair.
The town's high school was in lockdown, students barricading themselves in classrooms. A local journalist conveying the terror now rippling through
the small town.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I talked to concerned parents who is here waiting, he got a call from his son, who is sheltering in place in the gym, and he's
just waiting to hear from his other kid, and is quite rightly nervous.
NEWTON: Authorities say police arrived at the school within minutes, but already found six victims dead, another died on the way to hospital. At
least, 25 were injured and the suspect found dead in the school of a self- inflicted injury. Two more victims were found dead at a home in the area. Police are saying little about the suspect, still haven't publicly
identified them or any possible motive.
KEN FLOYD, SUPERINTENDENT, ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE: I think we will struggle to determine the why, but we're going to try and do our best to
determine what transpired that day and what led up to this tragic event.
NEWTON: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visibly shaken and teary-eyed, expressing the profound grief now felt right across the country.
MARK CARNEY, PRIME MINISTER, CANADA: It's obviously a very difficult day for the nation this morning. Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in
Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you. Canada stands by you.
NEWTON: Reaction poured in from around the world including condolences from global leaders, and this from King Charles and Queen Camilla, saying
"we can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge. And our hearts go out to all those whose lives have
been so shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence."
Authorities are now surging resources to the area, including investigative support. Local leaders described the community as stricken as Canada enters
a full week of official mourning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And Paula Newton joins me now live from Ottawa. Paula, I know there are lots of questions that we all have at this hour, swirling, of
course, about what happened here. But what more do we know? What more are you hearing about the victims here? And any indication as to when the
police will reveal more details about the suspect?
NEWTON: So, we are expecting a press conference within the hour, and I have to tell you, Isa, that will come as great relief, not just to people
across Canada wanting to know how this could happen, but to those in the community itself. I mean, Tumbler Ridge, it's barely 2,500 people.
The school was attached to the health clinic practically just across the parking lot, which saved a lot of lives. Police arrived within minutes. So
many people in this community connected so intimately to what happened. We do not have information on how everyone is doing if the victims were
students or teachers or others.
Within the community itself, there's a lot of knowledge about who the alleged perpetrator was. We do not know if we're going to get any more
information from police about that in the next hour. But again, piecing together how this could have happened.
And again, as many viewers are aware, Canada does have very strict gun control laws. But in a community like that, I point out it is legal to have
guns, to have them registered as long as you're storing them properly. And teenagers can also use those firearms under proper supervision.
So many questions still, Isa, not the least of which is those 25 people, some that had to be medivaced out and what their condition is at this hour.
SOARES: Yes, and we have heard in the last few moments from Prime Minister Mark Carney, I think he was addressing the House of Commons, saying this
morning, families in Tumbler Ridge woke to a different world. And this just goes back to exactly the point that you were making, Paula, this is such a
small community, right?
A town of 2,400 people. I imagine someone will know someone, right, that has been affected by this. Give us just a sense of just the utter shock
that's being felt right now not just in this community, but right across Canada.
NEWTON: I think that is the issue, right, Isa. The shock wave immediately went right through the country, from coast to coast to coast, and --
SOARES: Yes --
NEWTON: I know that in the intro, we talked about how rare it is in Canada. But if you ask Canadians, gun violence is still far too common, and
I have covered several in this country working for CNN. It is absolutely shattering for the entire country. And then we get to this small community,
right, Isa?
Even if you don't know anyone who was hurt or injured, you were at the daycare next door. You were working at the health clinic.
[14:25:00]
Your daughter was working at the health clinic. Your husband was a first responder, and the panic of having a community shut down for nearly four
hours, knowing that children were barricading themselves in the classrooms. The other thing I want to add here, Isa, and it is just unfortunately, a
fact of life.
I know so many parents, teachers, students right now understanding that the students in that school knew what to do. The principal knew what to do, the
teachers knew what to do, and that saved lives. That barricading in the classrooms and making sure that they understood this was serious, and that
it was an alert, a terrible reality that so many of us live in --
SOARES: Yes --
NEWTON: But it is an important fact that preparation in these environments is key.
SOARES: We're thinking of everyone, of course, and Tumbler Ridge. I know you'll stay across the story, of course, when we hear more from
authorities, we'll come back to you. Paula Newton for us in Ottawa in Canada, good to see you, Paula. Well, there may be a new demand in the
search for missing woman Nancy Guthrie.
Still to come tonight, the note sent to "TMZ", and what it's offering in exchange for bitcoin. And then a surprise counter-drone laser attack in El
Paso. How this brought an unprecedented airspace shutdown in Texas. We'll have a live report. That's just a little later.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Well, "TMZ" says it's received a new note related to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. However, this does not appear to be a ransom
note. The site says the note demands one bitcoin in exchange for the name of the person involved in her disappearance.
CNN reached out to the FBI, but they had no comment. This comes after a man in Rio Rico, Arizona, south of Tucson, was detained for questioning, but
ultimately released the search for Nancy Guthrie is now in its 11th day. She is the daughter of "NBC Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Let's bring in our chief law enforcement and Intelligence analyst John Miller, who has been on this story since day one. So, John, let's get your
thoughts first of all, about this new demand. What stands out to you? How do we know if this is legitimate here?
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT & INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: What stands out to me is that we don't know if it's legitimate. I mean, the whole
concept of it which is, I'm going to come to you on an anonymous platform, then I'm going to suggest that you pay me $66,000 in one bitcoin on a
different anonymous platform.
And then I'm going to provide you with the information -- it doesn't work. That's why when the FBI offered a $50,000 reward for the identity of the
kidnappers leading to their arrest or the recovery of Nancy Guthrie, either one, they say you provide the information first, and then we pay you. The
we pay you and you provide the information model is never going to work, not at those rates.
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: And so, if you're the FBI, you're getting that, you're not necessarily pushing that aside, you would then
respond to that saying you give me proof of life, right?
MILLER: That's exactly it. Right. So, if that person says I can tell you who the kidnappers are, then you engage in a dialogue, which is I'm not
going to send you tens of thousands of dollars, but let's talk. How do you have access to this information? What can you do to verify that your
information is true? You go down that road a little bit, but certainly it's not going to be you pay the money and they tell you later because A, they
may have something that's completely inaccurate and B, they might just take the money and you might never hear from them again. It's just not a model
that works.
SOARES: Yes, it could be a total scam, right? Now, we heard the FBI chief, Kash Patel, say that I think he said persons of interest are being
investigated. Then we saw a man being detained. And then after hours of questioning, he was released to really two questions off the back of that.
Do we know how many persons of interest there are and why the authorities in particular zeroed in on this man?
MILLER: So, this was a lead that came into the FBI that was developed by the investigators prior to the release of the video. One of the things that
I think drove this lead a little bit was when they considered the information they had on the individual and the fact that his build was
similar to that of the person in the video. And more important than all of that, the fact that if there was a possibility that she was being held at
that house, that they had to move very quickly. All of those things that came together.
But from the FBI's standpoint, they are looking at a number of people. They are looking at a number of people who could be operating together and
people who could be operating as individuals. But it is not uncommon in these cases for a suspect to emerge, to become very hot. And then you go
through the process of getting them in, questioning them and basically proving either they are the person or just as often proving they are not
the person. And then you have to triage back down and move on to the next one. But that's the way that goes.
SOARES: Day 11. Here's hoping for some good news soon. John Miller, thank you very much indeed. Well, in a week filled with political drama, and we
are only on Wednesday, I believe, we also have new details on the U.S. Justice Department's case against Democratic lawmakers. On Tuesday, a
federal grand jury declined to indict the Democrats who posted a video urging service members to disobey any illegal orders. This rare rejection
from a grand jury rebukes the Trump administration's efforts to paint the lawmakers as dangerously undermining the president's authority.
And still to come tonight, the airspace of El Paso in Texas has reopened. Just hours after it was announced it would be closed for the next 10 days.
We'll explain what the confusion is all about. And it was, well, kind of awkward. The story of the Olympic medal winner who turned his press
conference into a very personal confession booth. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: Well, turning now to an unprecedented airspace shutdown in Texas lifted just hours ago, according to sources, a sweeping flight ban was
triggered by a surprise Pentagon plan using counter-drone lasers. It was staged with no coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation, Aviation
Administration, the FAA, the Trump White House claims Mexican cartel drones crossing into U.S. airspace led to flights being grounded. But multiple
sources have said the Pentagon's counter-drone activity raised concern for civilian traffic at El Paso International Airport. And this comes after the
FAA announced a 10-day airspace shutdown later on Tuesday, pointing to quote, "special security reasons."
Reacting to the incident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico had no information on drone activity at the border.
Let's get more on this. Pete Muntean joins me now live from Washington. So, Pete, this is I know this is your reporting, just what more do we know
about this counter-drone laser and why the Pentagon wouldn't communicate with the FAA here?
PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: It seems that the federal government really bungled the coordination when it came to this high-
powered anti-drone laser being used at the U.S. Mexican border by the Pentagon. There was a meeting, multiple sources tell CNN planned for
February 20th between Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration officials to sort out how this could potentially cause a risk to civilian
flights.
But the Pentagon went ahead, according to these sources, with the use of this laser system causing the Federal Aviation Administration to put into
place this 10-day airspace ban on all flights. We're talking not only airlines and private flights, but also medevac flights, law enforcement.
That in and of itself was very unprecedented over a city of about 700,000 people.
SOARES: Pete, I'm sorry to interrupt. I'm sorry to interrupt the police press at the police in Canada holding a press. Let's listen in.
COMMANDING OFFICER DWAYNE MCDONALD, ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: -- threats remained. Those with potential injuries were
transported to a local medical clinic for triage and assessment and two victims with significant injuries were transported to hospital via air
ambulance. Following a medical assessment of the individuals, no discernible physical injuries were identified for those that remained at
scene.
I'd like to correct some information that was shared yesterday and to clarify that nine people in total are deceased as a result of this
incident. Initially, it was believed that one of the victims, a female with significant injuries who was transported from the scene by our members and
then transitioned to paramedics, had succumbed to her injuries. Police have since confirmed that is not the case. She is alive and was one of the two
female victims that were airlifted to hospital. Both of those victims remain in serious condition.
The deceased victims from the school include an adult female educator, three female students and two male students between the ages of 13 and 17.
Two additional victims, an adult female and a male youth, were located deceased in a local residence. The BC Major Crime Unit has assumed conduct
of the investigation and is working to determine the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
There's been much speculation within the community regarding the relationship between the shooter and some of the victims. All of that
remains part of the active and ongoing investigation. We are not in a position to publicly confirm any specifics at this time.
[14:40:00]
Additional resources have been deployed to Tumbler Ridge to support both the investigation and day-to-day policing operations, which continue with
the assistance of our neighboring detachments. BC Emergency Health Services, the Tumbler Ridge Fire Department, the local medical center, the
school district, the community center and many others within the community have provided significant support throughout this response. Anyone in the
community who does not need support -- or sorry, pardon me, who does need support is asked to go to the Tumbler Ridge Community Center at 340 Front
Street.
We understand the community has questions, and we understand they want to know the motive behind this tragic incident. We do believe the suspect
acted alone, and there are currently no other outstanding suspects. Our investigators remain on scene, actively gathering information to determine
the full circumstances of what transpired.
This is a deeply distressing incident where nine individuals have senselessly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with the families, the loved
ones, the first responders in the greater Tumbler Ridge community and all those impacted by this tragic incident.
If you have questions, I'm prepared to take them at this time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Officer (INAUDIBLE), could you please expand a little bit on the suspect? Was he known to police? Were there any red flags
regarding his mental health?
MCDONALD: So, the suspect is identified as an 18-year-old female by the name of Jesse. We have a history of police attendance at the family
residence. Some of those calls are, were -- pardon me, related to mental health issues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you spell the suspect's name, please?
MCDONALD: Yes, the first name is spelt J-E-S-S-E. The surname is spelt capital V-A-N and space capital R-O-O-T-S-E-L-A-A-R.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Were the two victims found at the residence where the suspect lived?
MCDONALD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And why can't you elaborate on the relationship between the victims and if that residence ends?
MCDONALD: I can't elaborate on that. So, it is believed the victims of that residence and the suspect are family members.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you say what parents, siblings, what relationship that is?
MCDONALD: Yes, the female adult victim is the mother of the suspect and the youth male is the brother of the suspect -- or stepbrother.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you expand -- you talked about the history of mental health with this female suspect. Could you expand on that?
MCDONALD: I'll give you perhaps some general comments on that. Police had attended that residence on multiple occasions over the past several years,
dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect. I can say that on different occasions the suspect was apprehended for assessment
and follow-up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, apprehended under the Mental Health Act?
MCDONALD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Taken to hospital?
MCDONALD: In some circumstances, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Any indication whether or not the suspect was receiving any help for their mental health situation regarding counseling -
- any of those services that are involved?
MCDONALD: I don't have that information at this time. If the suspect was currently receiving care, I don't have that information at this time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Any of the interactions with police, did any of them have to do with weapons --
MCDONALD: Yes, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you expand on that, please?
MCDONALD: I will say that -- again, I'm not trying to be too circumspect, but police have attended that residence in the past, approximately a couple
years ago where firearms were seized under the criminal code. I can say that at a later point in time, the lawful owner of those firearms
petitioned for those firearms to be returned, and they were.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Were criminal charges laid in relation to those firearms?
MCDONALD: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) my question is, we've heard all around the world reports coming out from different media, not local, but world,
and we've heard people from Tumbler Ridge, a bunch of people that know the shooter, and they are all saying that this person is transgender. Why is
the RCMP not speaking to us? Why are we hiding this from them?
MCDONALD: Well, first off, thank you for your question. We're not hiding it. In fact, you're the first media to ask the question. I will say this,
we identify the suspect as they chose to be identified in public and in social media. I can say that Jesse was born as a biological male, who
approximately, the information that I have, approximately 60 years ago, began to transition to female and identified as female, both socially and
publicly.
[14:45:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unfortunately, we've heard a lot of transgender and masculine shootings. Do you think there's a correlation here?
MCDONALD: It's too early to say whether that has any correlation in this investigation. I think it's important to recognize that there is a
correlation, and I think it's important to recognize that this investigation is still in its infancy. We have scenes still locked down,
the school and the residents, while we execute search warrants and gather further evidence, and talk to witnesses that may have further evidence for
police.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi. I'm just wondering, can you tell me when the police, prior to yesterday, last made contact with Jesse?
MCDONALD: That's a good question. I probably have that answer somewhere here in my papers, but I believe we were there sometime last year.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, nothing in the last few days?
MCDONALD: Nothing in the last few days, that's correct.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you talked about the guns that were recovered? And can you say anything about who owned those guns, whether he had any
sort of reason?
MCDONALD: So, I will say this. I know the guns are of significant interest to everybody. Part of the reason we haven't identified the specific models
of the firearms or ownership is because at this point in time, our investigators continue to pursue those leads. We want to make sure that the
information we do provide is accurate. We want to ensure that we can identify properly the ownership of the firearms, how they were procured,
whether they were lawfully owned -- unlawfully owned, whether they were manufactured, and whether there could be any other parties to an offense
that we are not yet aware of. So, when we are able to release that information, we certainly will.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He was quite young. Did he have a license (INAUDIBLE)?
MCDONALD: I can say that she had a license that had expired. I believe it was in 2024. She did not have any firearms registered to her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you talk about, sir, any indication of the information you have regarding Jesse experiencing bullying at the school,
any sort of difficulty at the school because of this transition from male to female?
MCDONALD: I do not have any information to suggest that was the case. I can say that Jesse dropped out of school approximately four years ago and
was not currently attending the school.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, I have a question from Jared from Western Standard. They wanted to just know why we waited until now to confirm the
identity of the suspect.
MCDONALD: It's a good question. I know it's one of concern, specifically with the speed of social media. I think it's important to recognize that
yesterday when we first provided a media availability, it was approximately five hours after the active shooter event. At that point in time, we were
still trying to lock down locations. We had victims that we were evacuating. As you can imagine, the scene was quite chaotic with
significant amount of trauma. And it's important for us when we do release information to get it accurate. I point to the case of now having to
correct and say that there's only nine deceased persons instead of 10.
We want to get information out as quick as possible, but we also appreciate that that information needs to be accurate because particularly when we're
dealing with victims or dealing with the identity of a suspect, we have to take into consideration. In this case, our suspect was deceased. We had to
locate next of kin to notify them.
So, I would hate -- notwithstanding the public interest, I would hate for someone to find out that their loved one was deceased coming from our
podium or coming from the news media in advance of being told in person.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I have one other question here from Ruth with Energetic C (ph). Was the suspect related to any of the school?
MCDONALD: I can say that the suspect was not related to any of the victims of the school. I don't have any broader information beyond that other than
say that the suspect was related to the two victims at the private residence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did the suspect leave a note or any other --
SOARES: You have been listening there to the Canadian police giving us more details, of course, about what happened in that shooting. Just
horrific. We've got more details. I'm going to give you a sense of what we have heard from Canadian police now identifying the shooter. 18-year-old
female, goes by the name Jesse Rootselaar, born as a biological male and then six years ago, a transition to female, identified as female, had a
history, from what we heard from police, history of police attendance at the family residence that was related to mental health.
[14:50:00]
There were firearms involved, firearm seized at the residence, then they were returned. In terms of the people deceased, nine people have been
deceased following the shooting at Tumbler Ridge. We know that it was an adult female educator, three female students and two male, one 13, one 17.
And then we heard two additional victims, this is in a separate, in a home, not in the school, that were, that were deceased. One is an adult female,
one is a male and I believe from what I heard, one's a stepmother and the other is the mother.
Let's get more from Paula Newton, who is listening to us -- listening to that press conference. Paula, what stood out to you?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A few things here, I mean look, thankfully the victim that was transported to hospital, the police had
indicated might have passed away, is alive and in serious condition, firstly. Secondly, a lot of things that stand out here and that is the fact
that this was certainly not just the suspect herself, but the entire family was known to police, clearly coping with a lot in that family, including
the fact that there were at one time registered firearms in that home, that those firearms were taken away. Now, they can be taken away because they
weren't stored properly or because they weren't being used properly. Again, there are strict gun laws in Canada.
What happened here though, is that the adult in that home, it seems, appealed to have the guns returned to them and they were returned and there
were guns in that household. Again, I point out that Jesse was only 18. She could have, at the age of 18, applied for a firearms license, but as a
teenager, you get what they call a minor license and an adult is responsible for having, for making sure that you have the firearm, how you
use it, when you use it and is responsible for storage.
A lot of questions there, but also obviously, Isa, the fact that police were very blunt, that they had been to this residence several times in
relation to what they describe as mental health issues and that the suspect here had not attended school for four years. I mean, basically had not
attended high school. We can't know why, but of course, police saying that it had to do with mental health reasons in terms of why they appeared at
the residence.
Again, such a tragedy, Isa. Still so many questions and police are saying they're just at the beginning of this investigation.
SOARES: I know you'll be across it for us, Paula. Thank you very much indeed. We are going to take a short break. We'll be back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:55:00]
SOARES: And this just in to CNN. The American actor James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48. His wife, Kimberly, shared the news on her Instagram
saying he passed peacefully and that he, quote, "met his final days with courage, faith, as well as grace." She went on to say, quote, "For now, we
ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend." Van Der Beek revealed he was battling stage three
cholera -- bowel cancer, pardon, in 2024. And he rose to fame, as many of us remember, in the 1990s, known for playing Dawson Leery in the hit TV
series "Dawson's Creek."
That does it for us for tonight. Max Foster is up next with "What We Know."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
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