NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, September 22, 2024

Episode Date: September 22, 2024

An urgent manhunt is underway in Birmingham, Alabama after gunman killed 4 people; Americans warned to leave Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah ramp up deadly attacks on each other; A new NBC News poll shows Vice President Harris ahead of Trump; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, we're tracking two major stories, the manhunt for the suspects behind a mass shooting in Alabama, and halfway around the world, Israel and Hezbollah pushing closer to all-out war. The urgent search for killers in Alabama, four people dead, 17 more hurt when gunmen opened fire in a popular nightlife area. Police believe it may have been a murder for hire. We believe this was a targeted shooting. Americans told to get out of Lebanon now as Israel and Hezbollah launch hundreds of airstrikes and rockets at each other.

Look at this one exploding inside Israel. The state of the race. NBC's new poll out today showing momentum for one candidate with Steve Kornacki at the big board to break it down for us. New body camera footage, the NYPD firing on a suspect inside the subway system. Two bystanders nearby hit what the video reveals. An NBC News exclusive with the Secret Service, how they plan to keep 150 world leaders safe in New York this week. We are in their control center and with their partners high above. And bulls on the loose. Look at that, breaking free from the rodeo, then stampeding through one Massachusetts town. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We're coming on the air with the Alabama manhunt for whoever is behind what

police describe as a possible murder for hire plot that led to a mass shooting in Birmingham. Four people killed, 17 others hurt, dozens of shots fired in that alleged targeted hit. You can see the chaotic scene overnight outside a cigar lounge not far from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The search is now on for multiple suspects, with local police working with federal law enforcement and the mayor pledging to do everything they can to take these killers off the streets. Our Priya Shrether is there. And a warning, some of this footage is disturbing. Tonight, an urgent manhunt underway in Birmingham, Alabama. After authorities say shots were fired outside of a hookah and cigar lounge in a crowded entertainment district just after 11 p.m. Saturday night. Officials say multiple suspects got out of a vehicle and opened fire, killing four and injuring 17 others. You have to go that way. You have to go that way.

Authorities believe the attack was targeted and say a fully automatic weapon was used before the suspects fled the scene by vehicle. We believe the individual that was targeted is among the deceased. We believe that there was a hit, if you will, on that particular person as far as, you know, someone was willing to pay money to have that person killed. Tonight, officials relying on the community and using surveillance video in their search. We know that there are people in our community who do have information, who know who's responsible, who know what led up to this.

Derek Gunn was near the scene last night. At first, you know, we thought, what was that? Backfire or something? And then we heard two or three more, and then we heard the pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat. And literally everybody on the patio, we hit the deck. We hit the ground. And as this community grapples with the tragedy, the search for the suspects goes on. Our desire, our priority is to take killers and shooters off the streets. We owe it to the victims. We owe it to the victims' families. We owe it to the victims who are no longer with us. Priya is joining us now. And Priya, officials think the shooters are still in Birmingham?

That's right, Hallie. The police chief tells me he does believe the suspects are in the Birmingham area. And this could potentially be gang-related. But of course, they're still investigating. Hallie? Priya Shrether, live for us there in Birmingham. Thank you. Overseas tonight, a serious warning for Americans in Lebanon. Get out of the country now. It comes as both Israel and Hezbollah ramp up deadly attacks against each other, reigniting the concern of a wider war in the region. Hala Garani reports from Tel Aviv. Tonight, new warnings for Americans as Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange heavy fire. Hundreds of Israeli strikes hitting southern Lebanon, while according to the Israeli military, Hezbollah launching some 150 rockets,

cruise missiles and drones landing deeper into Israel than at any point since October 7th. Most were intercepted, but some got through. Like this massive explosion from a rocket that landed outside the northern city of Haifa. The State Department is now telling American citizens to leave Lebanon, quote, while commercial options still remain available, as Israel says bombardments will continue until their goals are met. We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safe back to their homes. This all comes after the death toll from a strike against a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut rose to 45, and a series of pager and walkie-talkie attacks struck Hezbollah members, killing and maiming civilians in the process.

And now, new fears that this latest escalation will lead to a wider regional conflict far beyond Israel and Lebanon. Hala is joining us now from Tel Aviv. And Hala, President Biden is among those concerned about the conflict expanding, right? Right. The president said this afternoon he's worried about those rising tensions in the Middle East and that the U.S. is doing everything it can to keep a wider war from breaking out. Hallie. Hala Gharani, thank you.

Here at home, just six weeks out from Election Day, our brand new NBC News poll is giving us the latest snapshot of where the candidates stand with voters. Steve Kornacki is joining us now from the big board to break down these new numbers. So, Steve, a big difference from our last look back in July. Yeah, Hallie, and frankly, a big difference from our polling over the last year when Joe Biden had been the Democratic candidate generally trailing Trump in our polling. Now, Kamala Harris, 49, Trump, 44 nationally in our new poll. Two significant changes to how folks view Kamala Harris seem to be powering this. First of all, just the overall impression

people have of her. Is it positive or negative? Well, look, back in July when we asked about this, only 32 percent of voters had a positive view of the vice president since she became the Democratic candidate. Look at that jump all the way up to 48 percent, a 16 point jump. And this as well. She's the vice president in an unpopular administration. But when you ask the question in our poll, which candidate better represents change right now? Harris, 47 percent higher than Trump, the challenger at 38 percent. How about those issues that voters have consistently said matter to them, the immigration and the economy, Steve? Yeah. So the headline here is positive for Democrats. But this is what Republicans have in this poll that they can take heart from the border and immigration and the economy.

Those top two issues remain advantages for Donald Trump by 21 points for Trump on the border, nine points on the economy. That's not quite the same advantage he had when Biden was the candidate, but that's still very significant potentially, Hallie. Steve Kornacki at the big board. Thank you. And a major shakeup in a key battleground state today, as we're just learning four top staffers for the Republican candidate for governor are resigning. That says Mark Robinson battles scandalous allegations against him. Now, some Republicans worry the controversy could cost former President Trump votes in this critical swing state. Dasha Burns reports from Charlotte. Hello to North Carolina. Battleground North Carolina taking center stage as a scandal in the race for governor is shaking up an already competitive presidential contest in the critical state. It's very hard for us to win unless we're able to get North Carolina. Former President Trump won the Tar Heel state in 2016

and again in 2020 by a narrower margin. And now the latest morning consult poll shows a neck and neck race. The survey taken before the bombshell CNN report alleging Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson made lewd and racist comments on a pornography website 10 years ago, which Robinson denies. But Democrats like Robinson's opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, have tried to tie him to Trump. Look, Robinson exists because Donald Trump has lifted him up throughout. Trump has not rescinded his endorsement of the candidate, despite allies urging him to. His supporters are split on Robinson. Do you think that could have an impact? If it comes down to one person, that would be very disappointing.

He's a bad image. He's trying to, I think he's bad for the election. Other North Carolinians say they have bigger concerns. For me, it's the economy. I mean, we're retired and we feel it. I think we need a change. I think money's going out too fast and not enough. I just think we need a big change. Political science professor Eric Heberling from the University of North Carolina says a Harris win here would give her another path to the White House. Democrats have really relied on those upper Midwestern states, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, to pull them over the top. Haven't had a whole lot of luck in the South. Now with North Carolina and Georgia and Arizona potentially in play, that gives Harris options. And Dasha is joining us now from Charlotte.

So, Dasha, the vice president has agreed to a second debate with Mr. Trump on October 23rd over on CNN. What are the chances that this actually happens? So, Hallie, at this point, former President Trump says it's simply too late to have a debate then. But for context, I'll say that he did do October debates in both 2016 and 2020. Hallie. Dasha Burns, thank you. We're seeing new body cam video tonight from a controversial shooting involving police at a New York City subway station. Police fired at a suspect who they say lunged at them with a knife.

But the bullets also hit bystanders nearby. George Solis has the story and a warning. The video is disturbing. New video released by the NYPD showing the controversial moment officers opened fire on a man at a New York City subway station. Hitting two bystanders, critically injuring at least one of them. Authorities say 37-year-old Daryl Mickles jumped a turnstile in Brooklyn while wielding an 8-inch knife. Police confront him.

Don't trust me. Put it down. Put it down. Put it down. Then it escalates. Take the taser, taser. Police say Mickles is then seen lunging at an officer. Moments later, shots fired, striking Mickles, but also hitting one of the responding officers. I'm shot, I'm shot! And two bystanders, including Gregory Del Pesce, shot in the head, now in critical condition. His family questioning the police response.

There's no reason why any bullets should have been flying in that subway station at any point. The officers did not de-escalate that appropriately. And he was shot in the back of the head. And now he's fighting for his life. The NYPD defending the officer's response. We did the best we could to protect our lives and the lives of people on that train. Mickles has pled not guilty to charges filed to the shooting. Tonight, an NYPD investigation is ongoing.

George Solis, NBC News, New York. Still ahead tonight, inside the huge Secret Service mission to protect world leaders in New York this week, and what NFL fans are saying about the new face-scanning technology at stadiums this season. We are back with an NBC News exclusive, a rare behind the scenes look at the Secret Service's huge security operation ahead of a major meeting of world leaders in New York this week. And the timing that's critical for the agency trying to prove it's up to the task after July's

assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Here's Tom Winter. This is where everything begins. Surrounded by a fleet of armored SUVs inside a massive warehouse in a secretive location, Pat Frini, the head of the Secret Service in New York, is preparing for the agency's biggest challenge. Listen, the pressure is real. In the fallout after the assassination attempt against former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another apparent attempt against him in Florida just one week ago, they must now secure the annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations. NBC News getting an exclusive look at how they're preparing. We're tracking 146 heads of state, head of government, and then 70 spouses. With new challenges to protect them all. We've all witnessed the uptick in political violence worldwide, and unfortunately domestically.

Part of the protection means reacting real time from this command post. It puts everyone in the same room. Agents shoulder to shoulder with local partners. The Secret Service has admitted the use of multiple command posts cost them critical seconds at the Butler rally. That won't be the case here. They're able to digest and receive real-time information, break it down, and push it out to all the operational units in the field of what's going on. Like the NYPD. There's going to be cops that you will see, and there will be cops that you will not see.

Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry oversees the drone program. Anytime there's a drone up in the city, we can locate it. Their eyes in the sky launch from the top of an SUV and can send a video live stream anywhere. Of course, it's live streaming right into the truck. That's correct. And live streaming on your phone if you want. If I wanted to go on my smartphone and take it out and show you, it'll be live streaming on there as well. They can also call in the choppers. Flying above the UN, they're on the lookout for threats,

including those they can't see. You're trying to detect chemicals in the air, radiation in the air. These instruments that we have are so succinct and detect any type of radiological airwaves. Back at the warehouse, Frini says he knows the stakes are high. Can people feel confident that the U.S. Secret Service is going to keep UNGA weak and the people you're protecting safe. Yeah, they should have the utmost confidence. And Tom, the planning never stops. Tom Winter, NBC News, New York. When we come back, the big changes at NFL stadiums this season.

Would you use face scanning technology if it got you through the line quicker? And Bulls on the loose. You see this? Their chaotic escape from a rodeo right into one Massachusetts town. Well, sometimes the rodeo comes to town, but today it couldn't wait to leave. At least not these eight Bulls

who escaped from a Massachusetts rodeo charging off about 45 miles southwest of Boston. You seeing that? Check out some of them on a Sunday stroll through a neighborhood nearby. Seven were finally corralled, but one bowl is still on the run. Big changes now at NFL stadiums this season. Face scanning technology. It's required for workers and now rolling out for fans.

And yeah, it gets you in the door faster. You don't need a ticket. But what about your privacy? Priscilla Thompson tries it out. Rise up! There's no Falcons! At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Falcons have not only the hearts of these fans,

but now the NFL has many of their faces, too. New technology by Wicket rolling out at NFL stadiums has fans in some locations lining up and facing off with these cameras. The league is using facial authentication so fans can get into the stadium without showing a ticket, grab their food without cash, and buy their drinks without a credit card. That's it, friend. Got a

drink. It's pretty fast. Carl Pierberg is the chief technology officer for the Falcons. I remember clearly going to go grab a beer between downs and missing a whole quarter of football. I don't want that for our fans. He says this biometric technology speeds up every step of the customer experience. So I just downloaded the Atlanta Falcons app and we're going to test it out. Here's how it works. You upload a selfie, connect your online ticket and your credit card to the account, and you're ready for kickoff. And then I'm going to take the selfie. Can I do that? All right. And we're in beer and pretzels. And then I just walk out. So far, fans are mixed.

You all like it. You wouldn't do it? Why not? I don't want that many people, like, scanning my face. I'm not comfortable yet with that. You're concerned about the security, the privacy? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So for now... Things get hacked all the time. You only have one face. So if that face gets compromised, can you live with that?

Privacy expert Matthew Guariglia warns there are few federal privacy protections for facial authentication. Should you give your face up to get into an NFL stadium faster and they decide to sell that face print to somebody else, there is nothing stopping them from doing that. This is using our quick tap system. Peerberg says the Falcons won't sell the data. Users can wipe their profiles at any time, and it's deleted after a year of inactivity. To be clear, people do not have to use this technology. 100% not. It's 100% opt-in only across the board. We don't use it to monetize. We're not scanning our entire building.

Our fans' data always belongs to our fans. Right now, though, the tech's required for credentialed workers at NFL stadiums, but not everyone's on board. The Las Vegas Police Union, whose members patrol the stadium there, tells the NFL its members won't use it. For fans, however, it's up to them to decide whether the tech is a game changer. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News, Atlanta. When we come back, there's good news about the high school football team that rallied around one of their own and the incredible gift he gave back to them. There's good news tonight about victory on and off the field and the Arizona high school football player who turned his

own health scare into a surprise his teammates will never forget. When the Flagstaff Eagles ran onto the field for their game this Friday night, senior Steven Dick led the way. You see him there, number 15. It's especially remarkable because around this time last year, Steven and his coach, Mickey Clements, weren't sure he'd ever play again after Steven was diagnosed with brain cancer. But Steven's teammates wouldn't let him fight alone, rallying around him every step of the way. What did it mean for you in this journey,

through those ups and downs to have this team behind you and to have their support? It meant everything to me. Coach, how about for you? Yeah, I mean, you just you work with such a big group of young men. And most of all, they love playing with each other and for each other. And, you know, Steven really embodies that spirit and brings the best out of all of us. So when Steven got a call from Make-A-Wish Arizona, he wasn't thinking about himself. Instead, he decided to surprise the whole team. His wish? New state-of-the-art helmets. Steven, why helmets? Brain surgery is a tough

surgery for anyone. And so I was going to do whatever I could do to reduce that chance by as much as I could. To see the way he cares about his teammates and his genuine concern for their safety is just really heartwarming for everybody. Stephen's gesture profoundly moving for his idol, former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, whose foundation funded the helmets. Congratulations on making a difference, but also setting a great example for all of us. It's truly humbling to see everyone who's here. With Stephen's brain scans now clear, he's back on the field. Stephen's the most selfless kid I've ever met. He means everything to our our team so grateful to give back to the team that's been his lifeline just to have

everybody there with me that has been through this journey even players from last year family members everything like it was it was surreal and by way, the Flagstaff Eagles won Friday's game 22-12. Speaking of football, we've got it right here for you next on NBC with the Chiefs taking on the Falcons. That's nightly news for this Sunday. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us here at NBC, thanks for watching and have a great week.