NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, April 17, 2025

Episode Date: April 18, 2025

Deadly campus shooting at Florida State University; Trump says Federal Reserve chair’s termination "cannot come soon enough"; Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing delayed and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the terrifying moments on campus. Gunshots ringing out at Florida State University. Authorities say an active shooter opened fire, multiple people dead. The 20-year-old suspect, a son of a sheriff's deputy, were on the scene. Also breaking tonight, a school bus returning from a field trip, flipping over with kids inside. Several people now in critical condition will have the latest. Plus, the dangerous weather moving in. Millions at risk of flash flooding, tornadoes, and violent storms were tracking it all. The new federal charges against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a New York City street.

President Trump lashing out against Fed Chair Jerome Powell, saying he can't be terminated fast enough. Powell says the president can't fire him, as he warns tariffs could hit the economy hard. A 10-year-old kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a man police say she met on the hit video game app Roblox. What parents should know. The new weight loss pill researchers say could work as well as Ozempic or Wegovi.

What we're learning about how soon it could be approved. The big question, how much will it cost? And there's good news tonight. We'll introduce you to the cancer fighting team on a record breaking mission. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. And good evening. I'm Tom Yamas in for Lester. We start tonight on the campus of Florida State University where horrific scenes of violence played out this afternoon. Students running for their lives as a gunman opened fire near the student union. Two people are dead, six others

injured. Authorities say the gunman is the 20-year-old son of a sheriff's deputy. They say he had access to one of her weapons and it was found on the scene. President Trump today saying it's horrible that things like this take place as another American university mourns a horrible act of gun violence. Our Priya Sridhar is on FSU's campus tonight, and she starts us off. Moments of horror, a shooter opening fire at Florida State University. The gunshots ringing out across the campus. Students seen fleeing, others urgently evacuating with their hands above their heads. Just before noon, a gunman started shooting near the school's student union.

Two people are dead, according to authorities. Six others are injured. Needless to say, we have multiple crime scenes. This is a very large area we're covering. This is an active, ongoing investigation. Authorities say suspect Phoenix Eichner is in the hospital. The 20-year-old is the son of a current sheriff's deputy, according to the Leon County Sheriff. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons.

And that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene. As warnings of an active shooter went out across campus, some sprinted away. Others barricaded themselves inside campus buildings. We, like, blocked the doors with tables and stuff. I couldn't get through to 911. Multiple law enforcement agencies rushing to the scene. This way, this way. Officers clearing buildings room by room using a code word, evacuating terrified students.

Mass hysteria like went through the building. President Trump this afternoon asked if he wants to see any changes to gun legislation following today's attack. I'm a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I protected it. And these things are terrible. But the gun doesn't do the shooting. The people do. It's, you know, a phrase that's used probably too often. I will tell you that it's a shame. Today's shooting wasn't the first at Florida State University. In 2014, an alum shot an employee and two students at a library. Tonight, authorities say several buildings are still active crime scenes. A campus shaken once again after another day of violence.

And Priya joins us live from the FSU campus. The alleged shooter, not only the son of a sheriff's deputy, but heavily involved with that department? Yeah, that's right, Tom. The Leon County Sheriff says the suspect was a member of the Youth Advisory Council of the department and had participated in several training programs with the department. Tom? Priya Sridhar on that breaking news. Priya, thank you. And more terrifying moments tonight, this time on a South Carolina highway where a school bus carrying students returning from a field trip overturned. Now, several in critical condition. Rahima Ellis has the latest.

Oh, wow. Tonight, a harrowing scene in South Carolina after a middle school bus blew a tire rolling on its side, leaving one student dead and many injured, at least five people in critical condition, officials say. The bus, carrying roughly 35 children and two adults, overturned roughly 40 miles south of Charlotte, officials say. The bus carrying roughly 35 children and two adults overturned roughly 40 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. The middle schoolers were traveling home from a field trip just outside the Queen City. I-77 was blocked for miles. The bus left

lying across the highway. First responders swarming the area, treating the injured. Some rushed to local hospitals via medevac choppers. We have seen a large response of people out here. We have seen multiple choppers take off as well from the scene. Medical ambulance probably, I would say, around three or four. Two other buses transporting students from the event were not involved. The sheriff's office asking the public to avoid the area. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is expected to investigate the accident. While tonight, a community prays for the injured. Rahima Ellis, NBC News. And this just in,

tonight federal prosecutors have indicted Luigi Mangione on four counts connected to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The charges include murder with a firearm and stalking. The Justice Department has said they intend to seek the death penalty. And tonight, severe weather threatening 7 million across the Central Plains with tornadoes possible. Angie Lassman joins us now in studio. And Angie, we can see that weather's just ramping up. That's right, Tom.

And this is just the beginning of a multi-day severe threat that we're going to see unfold across the middle of the country, starting tonight already with Omaha under a tornado watch until midnight. We see intense snow across the Rockies and some of those stronger storms centralized across the midsection of the country, the Midwest and the Central Plains included. Tomorrow, more of the same, that mountain snow and the late day thunderstorms expand with a severe threat from Michigan to Texas hail, as well as the damaging winds and tornadoes all on the table. By Saturday, more of those showers and thunderstorms, again, stretching from the Midwest down to the central plains, Dallas in the bullseye of that.

All right, Angie, we know you're going to stay tracking all of it. We appreciate it. In Washington, there's a mounting standoff between President Trump and the chairman of the Federal Reserve, the president blasting Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates, accusing him of playing politics. Gabe Gutierrez is at the White House. With markets on edge and his trade war escalating, tonight, President Trump is lashing out at the Federal Reserve chairman he once appointed, writing on social media that Jerome Powell's termination cannot come fast enough. I don't think he's doing the job. He's too late, always too late, a little slow, and I'm not happy with him. I let him know it, and if I want him out, he'll be out of there real fast, believe me.

The rebuke coming after this warning from Powell Wednesday. Tariffs are highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in inflation. The president now slamming him for not cutting interest rates to help the economy. We have a Federal Reserve chairman that is playing politics, somebody that I've never been very fond of, actually. But he's playing politics. Powell says the Fed needs more clarity before making a move. We're never going to be influenced by any political pressure.

People can say whatever they want. That's fine. Trump had previously said he would not try to replace Powell. And earlier this week, the Treasury Secretary stressed the importance of an independent Federal Reserve. I believe that monetary policy is a jewel box that's got to be preserved. Democrats warning of chaos if Powell is ousted. If Chairman Powell can be fired by the President of the United States, it will crash the markets in the United States. Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends next year,

has said the President does not have the legal authority to fire him. If he asked you to leave, would you go? No. Today, the president welcomed conservative Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Maloney, the first European leader to visit the White House since his new tariffs were announced. We're going to make a trade deal, I fully expect it. The administration also touting progress on trade deals with Japan and Mexico. Late today, the president said the U.S. is also talking with China, while two major Chinese e-commerce sites, Tamu and Xi'an, now say they plan to raise prices for U.S. customers next week. All right, Gabe, turning back now to the Fed chair, Jerome Powell, can President Trump actually fire him? Well, Tom, it would be unprecedented. And

legal experts say, no, we can't. But the Supreme Court is considering whether to hear a separate case that might give President Trump more power to remove leader leaders of independent agencies. Tom, Gabe Gutierrez at the White House. We turn out of Los Angeles and the Menendez brothers bid for freedom. This just breaking tonight, the long-awaited resentencing hearing postponed after a day of drama in and out of court. Liz Kreutz is there. Tonight, what was supposed to be the start of Eric and Lyle Menendez's critical resentencing hearing

yet again postponed. Today was a little bit disappointing for us as a family as we march on. The day getting off to a chaotic start. Contentious moments between the brothers' lawyer and the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office prompting the judge to abruptly pause the hearing. The two sides feuding over whether the judge should factor in a comprehensive risk assessment the California Parole Board is conducting of the brothers

as part of a separate clemency bid that Governor Newsom is reviewing to determine their risk to the public. We wanted to make sure that the judge got a copy of that report. It represents additional facts, and the prosecution doesn't fear facts. But the brothers' attorney saying the DA has tainted the proceeding. What was ultimately decided is we are filing a motion to recuse the district attorney in this case. The judge now saying he will want to review the risk assessment before deciding on resentencing. Eric and Lyle Menendez are serving life without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents. Crimes they say

were an act of self-defense after years of abuse by their father. Will the brothers be testified? Outside the hearing, a spectacle of its own. Seven, four, eight. Intrigued members of the public lining up to get a seat inside. I think they have done enough time for what they did. They committed premeditated murder. And if they should get out, well, Charles Manson should have been released. And tonight, a judge has set a new hearing for next month to go over recusal and the risk assessment.

But a new date for the resentencing hearing has not yet been set. Tom. All right, Liz, we thank you for that. In 60 seconds, a nightmare for parents. A man arrested in California for abducting a 10 year old child. He met on the popular kids video game app Roblox. The disturbing details next. We're back now with a concerning story for all parents. A 27-year-old man arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 10-year-old

that he met on the popular video game app Roblox. Steve Patterson has the chilling details. Tonight, relief for the family of a California preteen. Home safe after every parent's digital age nightmare. An online relationship turned kidnapping. Authorities say it was sparked by encounters over the smash hit video game Roblox. Sunday, the Kern County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a missing 10-year-old girl. Authorities say interviews with her friends revealed she was communicating with a much older man.

27-year-old Matthew Naval, through Roblox and gamer chat app Discord. Police report they tracked down Naval in his car with a girl hundreds of miles from her home. Naval was arrested for kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Children are exchanging harmful matter with adults. We get reports of it a lot. Roblox is one of the most popular video games in the world with 85 million daily active users. 40% are children 12 and under. A spokesperson from Roblox saying in part, these allegations are deeply troubling and we are actively investigating. We have a zero tolerance policy against child endangerment and a range of safety features to guard against predatory behavior.

I really would tell parents, I would caution them, if you don't understand what the app is, it shouldn't be on your kid's phone. Tonight, another wake-up call for parents, proving kids aren't safe from strangers, even in their own living room. Steve Patterson, NBC News. And in Houston, a Southwest flight made an emergency landing. Take a look. The flight was heading to Mexico and it was forced to return back after an engine problem after takeoff. Passengers used emergency slides to exit. Thankfully, no injuries there. OK, still ahead tonight, the new

weight loss medication that's expected to rival Osempic and Wagovi because it's a pill. We ask, how much will it cost? That's next. Welcome back. Tonight, Eli Lilly says it has developed a game-changing new pill that could be just as effective as some of the injectable weight loss drugs already on the market. Stephanie Goss sat down exclusively with the company's chief scientific officer. The latest weight loss and diabetes drugs are revolutionizing people's lives. And tonight, another option is just on the horizon. No needle necessary. Eli Lilly announcing it has developed a pill, releasing data suggesting it is as strong as Ozempic. It activates that GLP-1 receptor in your body. So people can potentially expect the same kinds of weight

loss taking this pill? That's the hope. The clinical results out today are from a type 2 diabetes trial. Patients lost 8% of their body mass taking one pill daily, and blood sugar levels dropped dramatically, according to the company. Which meant if a doctor tested them, they wouldn't even know that they had diabetes anymore. Chief Science Officer Dan Skowronski says they are so confident in the pill, it's already being manufactured. When we get FDA approval, which could be as soon as next year, we hope to be able to have abundant supply. Is this pill going to be cheaper? Well, one of the advantages of the pill is that it's easier to make in our factories.

That should mean more people should have access to it. Pharmaceutical companies have been in a race to develop a pill like this. Pfizer recently pulling its weight loss pill after a participant in one of its trials experienced possible liver complications. But Eli Lilly says its version hasn't caused liver issues. The side effects, according to the company, are similar to the injectables, with many participants experiencing digestive issues, but the majority not serious enough to stop taking the pill. Having a pill that's taken it, you know, at your convenience, I think can be a gain changer for some people. But obesity expert Dr. Melanie Jay cautions that these drugs, whether injectable or in pill form, need to be managed by a doctor.

It is not some kind of silver bullet, is it? It is not. It is not a silver bullet. And we are finding that in real world practice, we still have so much to learn about how to use these medicines. All right, Stephanie joins us now in studio. So, Stephanie, us now in studio. So, Stephanie, you asked, but we didn't really get an answer. Will the pill be cheaper? Well, because there's no needle, it will be cheaper to make. But when it hits the market, the demand could be enormous, Tom, and that will surge the price. Eli Lilly says they won't set a price

until the FDA approves it. All right, Stephanie Goss with that big interview. Stephanie, thank you. Up next, he stole hearts in Washington, And there's good news tonight about that brave little kid now breaking world records and living his dream and making us all crack up along the way. Stay with us. Finally, tonight, there's good news about a familiar face whose love of the law led him to break a world record. Tonight, America's top cop is just 13 years old. Just ask this huge crowd of law enforcement officers gathered in Missouri to swear in DJ Daniel, a tough teenager battling terminal cancer. There's only one thing missing here. When do I go on patrol and when do I get paid? Diagnosed at just six years old, DJ made a bucket list. At the top,

a goal to join 1,000 police departments. The real reason why I wanted to be a police officer is because when it was through Hurricane Harvey, there was three police officers and they helped us. So I wanted to help other people. He's now setting a record when he was sworn in by 203 agencies at once. Tonight, DJ, we're going to do you the biggest honor of them all. Back in March, during the joint address to Congress, even President Trump highlighting DJ, giving him his biggest promotion yet. I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service. As soon as he said that, I went. I'm surprised my eyeballs didn't pop out of my eye sockets.

Since then, DJ has been on a mission to protect and serve. That red car looks suspicious. Visiting the Oval Office. There's one more thing I got for y'all. And becoming an honorary deputy at police departments across the country. Fighting crime with a smile. What does a horse say when it's falling and can't get back up? Hey, I need to know.

I'm falling and I can't get up. A big personality. Why did the duck go to jail? Why? Because he was smoking quack. That's why he's looking at me like that. You know what's crazy? I thought you was George Washington. And a big heart. Recently helping nine other kids just like him reach their dreams.

I got the swearing kids that has cancer, and I'm pretty sure that's going to make them happy, and that's going to make them live longer. A teenage boy capturing the heart of a nation one badge at a time. And DJ, we are cheering you on. Can't wait to see you reach 1,000. That's Nightly News for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas. We thank you so much for watching. Have a great day. All right, buddy.