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CNN Live Event/Special
CNN Headlines: Three Children And A Teacher Killed In Oregon School Shooting; Government Records Reveal Reports Of Mechanical Failures, Faulty Restraints At Six Flags Parks; "Skincubator" Allows Parents To Hold Their Premature Babies. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired October 16, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:27]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
The FBI is on the ground in Oregon and assisting police after a deadly mass shooting at an elementary school. Three children and a teacher were killed after a 16-year-old shot through locked doors at Silver Rail Elementary and forced his way inside. A 7-year-old and another teacher were wounded. The gunman was shot dead by a bystander who followed him into the building. We'll have more on that in a moment.
There are less than three weeks to go until the midterms and fight for control of the Senate is on. The president continuing his weeklong blitz from battleground state to battleground state, and today holding a rally in Dalton, Georgia. Georgia voters are already casting ballots in record numbers since early voting opened up on Tuesday.
And Alex Murdaugh is set to appear in court today as he gets ready to stand trial again for the murders of his wife and son. The pretrial hearing is set to be focused around key evidence, including whether a defense DNA expert can test remaining genetic material found under Alex's wife's fingernails. The former lawyer's murder conviction was overturned earlier this year after it was ruled that a court clerk influenced jurors during his 2023 trial.
All right, we return back to our top story as authorities are investigating a deadly shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. Officials shared new details in a press conference, but there's still a lot that we don't know about the attack. Police say three children, ages five, eight, and 11, and one teacher were killed. They were remembered overnight at a candlelight vigil for the community. Another child and teacher were also injured in the shooting and taken to the hospital.
Police say the shooter, a 16-year-old armed with a long gun, forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School by shooting at locked doors. A community member saw the teen and followed him, fatally shooting him before officers arrived.
Listen to part of the police radio dispatch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DISPATCHER: We are taking an active shooter call at 61530 S.E. Stone Creek Lane. It looks like the shooter has been neutralized, possibly shot by a father at the school. Not sure about patients at this time. The police are arriving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Parents and families gathered outside the school as they waited for updates. All district schools are closed today and activities are canceled.
This marks the 36th shooting at a kindergarten through 12th grade school this year, according to CNN analysis. It's not clear whether the shooter had any connection to the school or what his motive was. and police did not identify him during the news conference.
CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller described the response and some of the questions that investigators may have about the shooter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: When you look at the timeline here, the first 911 call comes from the people in that car who are being shot at. That's 12:59. By 1:02, police are on the scene, and when they get to the scene by 1:03, they're reporting the shooter is down. So all of this carnage, all of this killing happened literally within a couple of minutes. So you can picture, had his pathway not been interrupted by this individual who opened fire on the 16-year-old shooter, we can only imagine that the numbers would be much worse because of how focused he was on killing and how prepared he was and driven he was to do it.
Now here's some important questions to look at, which is was this person who was armed and followed him, you know, through the locked doors into the building and as police use the term engaged him -- was he able to shoot him or were shots exchanged between the shooter and this community member? And was anybody else in the path of the crossfire between the two?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: And John raises a lot of good questions there that will be looked into, and certainly many questions left to be answered. Thank you, John. You can stay with CNN for more on this story throughout the day.
[05:35:00]
We turn back now to the sprint to Election Day, less than three weeks away. One of the fiercest races is Democrat Abdul El-Sayed versus Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan. Vice President JD Vance was there in Michigan yesterday campaigning for the GOP. He and El-Sayed have traded barbs throughout this election season and Thursday was no exception.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JD VANCE, (R) VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What you have on the other side of this election is one of the craziest, one of the most far left, and one of the most radical people running for high office in the history of the United States of America. You deserve better than a little weasel who should shut his mouth and show a little gratitude to the country that gave him everything.
ABDUL EL-SAYED, (D) MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE: He wanted to raise questions about my commitment to America -- hmm. And let me tell you, nobody understands how deep and profound the gift of this country is like a kid who was born here but for the accident of history that allowed that to happen. JD Vance called me a little weasel today. I'm like, no, no, no. What you're talking about is a (bleep) wolverine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Today, the Democratic congresswoman from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, continues her push to get out the vote throughout Michigan. But is AOC a polarizing figure to a -- to -- in such a close purple state race?
Two strategists weighed in last night on "LAURA COATES LIVE."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEERA TANDEN, FORMER DOMESTIC POLICY ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN: I think her presence definitely helps him. I think she motivates basically young people to come out. And it's important to get base Democrats to come out, and she's very good at that as well. But I also think, you know, she came out for El-Sayed in the primary. She endorsed him in the primary. And I think it will -- you know, it's important for her that he wins, and it's important to all of us. I hope he wins, too.
But, you know, I think she wants to ensure he wins, and that's probably one of the reasons why she's been out, Bernie Sanders is going out. They -- and, you know, they put a lot of capital behind him and, you know, as now, have Whitmer and more establishment Democrats really trying to unite the party.
LESLIE SHEDD, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: So the base Democrats that she's going to bring out aren't the ones that are the problem right now. All that she being there does is remind those Democrat voters -- the ones that think he's too liberal, he's too much of a socialist for them -- that now he's like being draped in the socialist banner with AOC there. I think it hurts him very badly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: All right, so that was Neera Tanden and Leslie Shedd going back and forth on "LAURA COATES LIVE."
And another key Democrat will be on the trail for Abdul El-Sayed next week. Former President Barack Obama will campaign with the candidate in Detroit.
Now in Maine, there was a protester interrupting the Senate debate there between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. Take a listen to that moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TROY JACKSON, (D) MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE: That's one thing that I've been consistent on.
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R), MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE: Two issues --
PROTESTER: Senator Collins, I'm so sorry to interrupt.
MODERATOR: I'm sorry, somebody's interrupting. We'll have our security deal with that.
PROTESTER: AI data centers are destroying our climate. They are poisoning our water.
COLLINS: So this is obviously one of Troy's supporters.
JACKSON: Oh, shut up. I did not -- I don't even know that kid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Republican Sen. Susan Collins is locked in a tight re-election fight with Democrat Troy Jackson. Recent polls showing just a few points separating them.
Six Flags theme park in Georgia officially reopens today for the first time since the fatal accident on Monday. And new CNN research found that in the past few years, Six Flags faced accusations that it failed to properly maintain its parks. A CNN analysis of public records and court filings found reports of dangerous malfunctions on its aging thrill rides, maintenance issues, and hundreds of reported guest injuries, including broken bones and concussions.
CNN's Kyung Lah reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYUNG LAH, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Long before Monday's fatal accident on a roller coaster in Georgia, Six Flags faced accusations of failing to maintain its aging thrill rides. Six Flags this week said, "We are committed to rigorous ride inspection, maintenance and safety procedures that meet or exceed industry standards." But CNN's review of court documents and safety records from three different states reveal reports of maintenance issues, mechanical problems and injuries.
In California alone, nearly 300 accident reports have been filed, ranging from broken bones to dislocations to back and neck injuries over the past five years at Six Flags' parks. These records do not show details of the injuries, including whether they were proven to be caused by the rides. It was also in California, where Six Flags' X2 roller coaster was
permanently shut down last month, after a CNN investigation revealed a series of deaths and injuries suffered by X2 riders. Two women were injured the same week. Both were rushed into emergency brain surgery. One remains in a coma; the other is still struggling to recover.
[05:40:05]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I won't be 100 percent back to how I was --
LAH: Ever.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- because it's brain damage.
LAH (voiceover): Hundreds of people came forward after CNN's report claiming they, too, suffered head trauma from X2.
Records from New Jersey show other injury claims. For example, at the El Toro roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, more than a dozen riders reported injuries. A month later, the state deemed the ride structurally compromised. Six Flags said the ride would be inspected before reopening.
And in Texas, state records show injury reports involving water parks, such as riders thrown from inner tubes resulting in head injuries. That state is also where 52-year-old Rosa Esparza died after she was ejected from a Six Flags roller coaster in 2013.
CARMEN BROWN, WITNESSED ROLLER COASTER FATALITY: She goes up like this and then when it drops to come down, that's when it released and she just tumbled.
LAH (voiceover): At the time, Six Flags said their investigation found that no mechanical failure had occurred, but it added additional restraints for riders before reopening the ride.
This week, after the fatality at the Goliath in Georgia, Six Flags closed the ride plus nine other similar coasters at its parks across the country out of an abundance of caution. One issue experts point to, uneven oversight.
BRIAN AVERY, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: Unfortunately, across the board, we don't have a lot of uniformity. We have not federally adopted our mandated standards in all spaces. It's a state-by-state. Most large park operators are responsible for their own safety and self-regulation.
LAH (voiceover): Separately, an investor's civil lawsuit last year alleged Six Flags neglected to invest in basic park maintenance, infrastructure repairs, and ride design and development updates. Six Flags has not yet responded in court.
Kyung Lah, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE) SMITH: All right. Thank you, Kyung.
Well, police have made a grisly discovery outside Philadelphia's so- called House of Horrors. Investigators say that they found bones in the backyard on Thursday. Sources told CNN affiliate WPVI that it's unclear whether they are human or animal bones, but more testing is needed. Philadelphia police have been digging up the backyard to find evidence linked to seven missing or unidentified women.
A young woman decided to take matters into her own hands by chasing down a man who she believes sexually assaulted her friend at a frat party near the University of Chicago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He (bleep) assaulted my friend in the bathroom with a (bleep) frat party. You can record all the (bleep) you want.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why can't I do that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I walked in there, you (bleep) took her clothes off.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She wanted to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: CNN cannot confirm the man in the video is the accused perpetrator. The alleged sexual assault happened last week. Police say a 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at the Alpha Epsilon Pi frat party. The UC chapter of the fraternity says no members were involved and that it's cooperating with investigators. Chicago police are leading the case with help from campus police. We'll continue to keep you updated on any developments there.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, anger boils over in Argentina. What's behind these violent clashes straight ahead?
And the breakthrough technology giving parents of premature babies the gift of a first cuddle. That is straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:48:00]
SMITH: All right, let's go around the globe to see what else is making headlines today, beginning in Argentina as violence erupted near the Congress building in Buenos Aires Thursday. That's where thousands of protesters clashed with authorities. Demonstrators were seen throwing rocks as police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Protesters are demanding Argentina's president Javier Milei comply with a law that updates funding for public universities. It was the fifth federal university march since he took office in 2023.
And in Yemen, a major Houthi attack on Yemen's presidential palace. At least five people were killed and 16 wounded. The Iran-aligned rebels say that they were targeting an alleged Saudi military operations center inside the compound. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted multiple aerial threats on Thursday.
In this morning's Health Express, holding your baby for the first time is a precious moment that you never forget. But for those born premature, sometimes it could take days, weeks, or even months to finally happen. But a new experimental device is changing all of that. It's called a skincubator.
CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard spoke with the first family in the U.S. to ever try it out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You need to lean back more.
DORIAN OJEMEN, FATHER OF PREMATURE TWINS: Just the fact that you can have them on your chest, You can look in their eyes, you can hold them, feel them breathe. Like, that immediately makes you feel like, wow, I'm a parent. JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER (voiceover): Dorian Ojemen has made history. He's the first dad in the U.S. to ever use a Skincubator. It's an experimental device that allows parents to hold their premature babies in their arms for skin-to-skin contact.
OJEMEN: We couldn't hold them until about 10 days after birth. Using the skincubator allowed us to, like, have that connection.
[05:50:00]
HOWARD (voiceover): For many preterm babies, like Dorian and his wife Tiffany's twins, who were born around 26 weeks, they may need to spend their first days or weeks in an incubator. It helps keep their tiny bodies warm and supports their breathing and protects them from germs. But those incubators can also create a heartbreaking barrier for parents.
TIFFANY OJEMEN, MOTHER OF PREMATURE TWINS: You are basically kind of like at a zoo. Like, you're just looking at them through the clear glass, and you can't really hold them.
HOWARD (voiceover): But one phone call changed everything. Their doctor told them about a new clinical trial.
T. OJEMEN: I definitely wanted to give it a try, but it sounded. like some kind of sci-fi kind of device.
HOWARD: Here in the United States at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, that's the first hospital in the country to ever use skincubators. How exactly do these devices work?
DR. JACLYN RUGGIERO, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR FOR THE CLINICAL TRIAL: The baby is already in their incubator, and they are transferred from the incubator to the skincubator while they're in their isolette.
HOWARD: So the baby never leaves that incubator environment?
RUGGIERO: It doesn't need to. The baby's medical lines and breathing tubes or breathing support are all secured to the skin incubator base, and the way the baby gets into skin-to-skin care is there's a retractable pad under the baby and that pad is pulled down slowly.
HOWARD: Skin-to-skin care -- I know it's really important for bonding with your baby, but what other health benefits does it provide?
RUGGIERO: It turns out a part of the nervous system that's really important for connection and feeling calm.
D. OJEMEN: As a man, I may not have carried them, but I can help contribute to their well-being and be a part of the team in a different way.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: A really incredible breakthrough. I can't wait to check back in on that family's story.
Still to come in on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, Hyundai recalling nearly 100,000 cars because the seats could catch fire. Maribel Aber checks in with what you need to know straight ahead.
And file this one under, nope. How police in Florida were able to wrangle this gator when CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS returns.
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[05:56:25]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, wholesale inflation surged in September to the highest level in more than four years.
Maribel Aber joins us from the NASDAQ MarketSite with more details. Maribel, what are you learning here?
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: OK, Brad.
September's producer price index rose by 1.3 percent from August, and 6.3 percent compared to a year ago. That's the nation's highest level of wholesale inflation in more than four years. The reading from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was the second hotter than expected inflation report this week, raising concerns about affordability and the overall economy. Soaring energy prices drove most of the increase, while increased prices for food, electricity and air travel were also up.
Hyundai is recalling more than 94,000 Genesis luxury sedans because of a potential fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a -- it reports a power seat control switch may get stuck, causing the seats motor to overheat. The report said it could cause a fire while driving or parked. The recall covers the 2015 to 2016 Hyundai Genesis and the 2017 to 2020 Genesis G80. Owners are being urged to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until it can be fixed.
Doritos has announced a new limited edition flavor that will hit store shelves in 2027. The new lemon pepper flavored chip gets its inspiration from the popular combination of spices used on chicken wings. According to the food website delish.com, fans got an early taste of the new flavor at a recent convention in Las Vegas. The new flavor is expected to hit stores early next year. I'll jump on that bad one again, Brad.
SMITH: That is sure to appeal to a lot of people in ATL.
All right, Maribel Aber, thank you so much.
ABER: Thank you.
SMITH: Let's get a check in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
We start in Orange County, Florida. Three 4-year-old children and two adults were hospitalized Thursday after a car plowed into a daycare facility, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Officials say that they are all in good condition, and one of the injured adults has been identified as the 79-year-old driver of the car. An investigation is underway.
Las Vegas police have identified a body found in a barrel at Lake Mead in 2022. DNA testing revealed the remains belong to Edward Jackson, Arkansas man believed to be in his 50s. Officials say that he was likely shot sometime in the early '80s and the investigation into his death is ongoing. The barrel was found in 2022 when water levels dropped at the lake and it set off a ton of theories that this may be tied to Vegas' old mob ties, but police say that there's no evidence of that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, you're a good boy. Hey!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the coolest thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's crazy. This is Florida.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Florida, bro.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is Florida.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: I just want to know who added the music over top of that. Extremely cinematic and fitting.
I don't know that I've ever said you're a good boy at that close proximity to an alligator, but a stubborn and sassy five-foot alligator decided to disrupt traffic and block a road in Florida. Someone spotted the scaly suspect and called 911. Armed with a makeshift pole, some security straps, and a little help from some bystanders, police, as you could see here with the cinematic music appended, they were able to wrangle the alligator back to the water. Great work from wrangling the alligator all the way through to the cinematic production as well.
[06:00:20]
Well, that does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
