NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Episode Date: August 28, 2024

FBI discloses new details about man who tried to assassinate Trump; Israel launches major new assault in West Bank; Van crash kills at least four people on Texas highway; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, we'll show you the new photos from the FBI investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The FBI releasing new details about the shooter and these images of the rifle he used, showing how it was likely broken down and hidden in his backpack. Plus, images of the potential bombs found in his car and the air conditioning unit he climbed to get to the roof and open fire. What the FBI now says about his motive after conducting nearly 1,000 interviews. Also tonight, Israel launching a major new operation in the occupied West Bank. Military vehicles rolling in, bulldozers tearing up roads, looking for explosives. Palestinians saying at least 10 have been killed. The mass casualty crash in Texas.

Multiple people ejected. A passenger van rolling over. Four now dead. Police say only one person was wearing their seatbelt. Just in the severe turbulence diverting a United Airlines plane, the passengers injured. The verdict in the trial of a former Nevada politician charged with murdering an investigative journalist over unflattering articles, the disguise he used, the clues found by police, the race for the White House, Harrison Walls returning to the campaign

trail in Battleground, Georgia, and the new controversy over Donald Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. And good evening. I'm Tom Yamas in for Lester. Tonight, the FBI is providing a much more detailed picture of the shooter and the events leading up to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Here are some of the new photos they've just released showing the weapons and gear he brought to that event, including the semi-automatic rifle and the backpack he likely used to store it. Also, we're getting our first look at these, the homemade

bombs that were never detonated. While a motive for the shooting is still not clear, the FBI says Thomas Crooks looked not just at this rally, but multiple possible targets, including both Trump and Biden campaign events. It's where we begin tonight with NBC's Julia Ainsley and those new evidence photos. Tonight, these photos just released by the FBI showing the weapons and gear used by the man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump and the way he got up on that roof. This is the semi-automatic rifle he used. The FBI says he likely broke it down and stored it in this backpack as he walked around the rally in Butler last month. And this picture shows the two undetonated homemade bombs found in the trunk of his car. The FBI now says he used

this air conditioning unit to climb up on the roof where he opened fire. But after nearly a thousand interviews, the FBI says the motive of the 20-year-old Thomas Crooks still remains unclear. The FBI has not identified a motive, nor any co-conspirators or associates of Crooks with advanced knowledge of the attack. And I want to be clear, we have not seen any indication to suggest Crooks was directed by a foreign entity to conduct the attack. Before the event, the FBI says the gunman conducted online searches for campaign events for both Trump and Biden and the Republican and Democratic conventions. When this event was announced, the Trump rally was announced early in July, he became hyper-focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity.

It seems this attack wasn't very sophisticated. Does that surprise you? It does not surprise me. Throughout the history of the Secret Service and assassinations and assassination attempts, they're all relatively unsophisticated activities, though they have deadly consequences. The shooter researched Kennedy's assassination, searching how far was Oswald from Kennedy, the FBI said. While the investigation continues, the FBI said Crooks had no definitive ideology, but they are determining if he wrote anti-Semitic posts on social media. All right, Julia Ainsley joins us live. Julia, did the FBI reveal anything else about the gunman's activity online? Tom, the FBI said they analyzed the shooter's online activity going back to 2019, when even then he was researching how to make homemade bombs. And the 30 days prior to the shooting, he made more than 60 searches related to Biden and Trump.

Tom. All right. Julia Ainsley leading us off. Julia, we thank you. We want to turn overseas now to Israel's massive new military operation. This one in the occupied West Bank, the biggest in decades. Hundreds of Israeli troops have carried out raids in several West Bank cities, killing at least 10 people. Matt Bradley has the late details. Tonight, Israeli troops opening a fresh new front, launching a sprawling raid into the occupied West Bank, one of the largest assaults on the Palestinian territory in over 20 years. It started overnight with Israeli airstrikes. We felt like something

came down on us from the sky and there was an explosion, said this father of three who was injured in the strike. He lost two of his sons. Israeli armored vehicles and bulldozers clawed under roads searching for explosives. Around 2 a.m. the army waited the refugee camp with a large number of soldiers on foot, said this paramedic. Israel's foreign minister declared the West Bank a full-fledged war, and even called for evacuating Palestinians, a move that, if it happens, could mirror Israel's operations in Gaza. Hundreds of troops pushed into several areas of the northern West Bank, a Palestinian enclave separate from the Gaza Strip. They focused on Jenin, Tulkharim, and the Fara refugee camp near Tubas.

Palestinian health authorities say at least 10 people have been killed. Fighting in the West Bank isn't new. For years, Palestinians in the West Bank have suffered regular, sometimes deadly harassment from Israeli settlers. Violence human rights groups say has been ignored, and in some cases, even encouraged by Israel's government. Palestinian health authorities say more than 660 Palestinians have been killed there since Hamas's October 7th attacks from Gaza, where today, Israel's operations continue.

IDF troops recovered the body of a soldier who had been killed during last year's attacks, and the World Food Program saying this vehicle was shot up while approaching a checkpoint, the organization saying they're temporarily suspending operations in Gaza. Now as violence in the West Bank intensifies, concerns it could come to resemble a new theater of war. Matt Bradley, NBC News, Tel Aviv. Back here at home to that tragedy in North Texas where authorities say four people were killed and 11 injured when a van rolled over on a highway. Kathy Park is there for us tonight. And Kathy, you're getting some new reporting, I understand. One person somehow walked away from this? Tom, that's right. Officials say one person

is dead. And according to officials, there were 14 people in this van. Only one person was wearing a seatbelt and managed to walk away from this horrific crash. Tonight, tragedy on a Texas highway as a van loses control, rolling multiple times and ejecting several passengers during the crash. Emergency responders described arriving to the grim scene. All these people on the road, on the grass, that is very difficult because we have to be able to keep our composure and be able to treat every single one to the best of our ability. Four people, including the van's driver, confirmed dead. Nearly all passengers injured, three in critical condition. Tonight, the victims have yet to be identified.

Officials say the van departed from Florida, crashing around 8 this morning just outside Fort Worth, sending traffic on the Texas highway to a standstill. I saw a bunch of cop cars and the fire truck, the ambulance, there was a helicopter that was landed, and then I saw the car accident. It was pretty awful. Officials describing the mass casualty event as avoidable. Every vehicle has a seat belt and if you use that seat belt it's going to save lives and in this case there was one person that wore the seat belt and was able to walk away. A critical reminder to buckle up on the road. Kathy Park, NBC News, Wise County, Texas.

And this just in tonight, some scary midair moments aboard a United Airlines flight from Cancun to Chicago. The plane forced to divert to Memphis after encountering severe turbulence that fire officials say injured seven passengers. After landing, one passenger was taken to the hospital. The rest declined treatment. In Nevada, the verdict is in tonight for a former politician charged with murdering a prominent Las Vegas investigative journalist over unflattering articles. The jury today finding him guilty of murder. We get more tonight from Morgan Chesky. In a Nevada courtroom, 47-year-old Robert Telles could only shake his head as he heard the jury's verdict. Guilty of first-degree murder. The former county public administrator found guilty in the murder

of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff Geerman nearly two years after the prominent journalist was found brutally stabbed to death outside his home. Prosecutors painting Telles as a man out for revenge after a series of articles by Gehrman, who uncovered bullying and favoritism by Tellez during his time in office. The evidence is absolutely clear. The defendant murdered Jeff Gehrman. The jury shown this security video outside Gehrman's home, capturing someone in bright orange clothing and a straw hat, enter the yard and lie in wait. Authorities say when the 69-year-old walked outside, he was attacked and stabbed multiple

times. Investigators later finding partly destroyed shoes and a cut-up straw hat inside Tella's home. Tella is choosing to take the stand himself, alleging DNA evidence was planted by political enemies. I am not crazy. I am not trying to avoid responsibility. The two men, far from strangers. The journalist interviewing Tellez just four months before his murder. He wanted to take something from Jeff, and that was his life. And tonight, the penalty phase for Robert

Telles is ongoing, with jurors hearing impact statements from the victim's family. Telles faces 20 years to up to life in prison. Tom. All right, Morgan, we thank you for that. We want to turn out of politics. Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz began a two-day road trip in Battleground, Georgia. She's courting rural and suburban voters and small business owners in the southeast part of that state, where Democratic presidential candidates rarely go, aiming to chip away at former President Trump's support. Harris holds a rally tomorrow in Savannah.

And we're learning new details about a tense incident involving Donald Trump's campaign staff when the former president visited Arlington National Cemetery this week. Garrett Haik with more on the altercation. Tonight, the Trump campaign is defending the candidate's Monday visit to Arlington National Cemetery, now being criticized for politicizing America's war dead on hallowed ground. The campaign on Tuesday posting this TikTok highlight video of Trump's trip, showing him laying a wreath in honor of the service members killed at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan and posing with family members among the gravestones. Several campaign staff posting

their own content, too. It's disrespectful. It's not Disney World. It's Arlington National Cemetery, and it should be respected as such. The visit first drawing scrutiny after a reported altercation between campaign and cemetery staff over photography. The Trump campaign, saying a staffer, quote, decided to physically block members of President Trump's team during a very solemn ceremony. A cemetery spokesperson writing, federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. The Harris campaign calling it all a sad episode,

saying Trump has a, quote, history of demeaning and degrading military service members. The vice president herself has not commented on the incident. Trump running mate J.D. Vance responding late today. She wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up. She can go to hell. Kelly Barnett invited the former president to Arlington. Her son, Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, died at Abbey Gate. What would you say to people who may be pro-Trump, anti-Trump, whatever their politics might be,

who just feel like that's not a place for politicians or for politics? I would have to say, are you in my shoes? I invited him. My son was murdered under the Biden-Harris administration. Utah Governor Spencer Cox attending with Trump posting these photos. He later apologized for using them in a fundraising email. Garrett Haik, NBC News, Washington. All right, we turn to weather now. That intense late summer heat we've been following this week

has stretched into the mid-Atlantic with 51 million under heat alerts. Temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to the low 100s, with new records possible. Another 33 million are at risk of severe weather in the northern plains and from the Ohio Valley into the northeast. Okay, we're going to take a break, and in 60 seconds, at least nine deaths from listeria now being tied to tainted boar's head deli meats. Dozens more hospitalized. What you need to know right after this. Okay, we are back now with the growing number of deaths from a listeria outbreak being tied to tainted boar's head deli meat. The CDC now saying at least nine people have died. NBC's Anne Thompson has the late details.

This is the worst outbreak of listeria in 13 years. 57 people hospitalized, nine people dead, including six since the last update earlier this month. One from Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and two people from South Carolina. Originally linked to Boar's Head's Strasburger brand liverwurst, the recall now involves seven million pounds of meat produced at Boar's Head's Jarrett, Virginia factory. The products have either EST-12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on product labels. If you have these meats, the CDC says throw them away. Listeria is a serious infection. It's the most deadly form of food poisoning. In a statement today, Boarshead said it regrets the impact of this recall and it's conducting an extensive investigation with leading food safety experts. The CDC says listeria is a hardy germ. It can linger on surfaces like meat slicers and foods,

even when refrigerated. Symptoms can appear the same day or up to 10 weeks later. The symptoms include headache, confusion, and convulsions, along with fever and muscle aches. All right, Anne joins us now in studio. So, Anne, who's at most risk for listeria infections? Tom, there are three groups. First of all, pregnant women, anybody who's over the age of 65, and anyone who is immunocompromised. If you are, if you fall in those categories, please do not eat meat that is sliced at deli counters unless it's been heated or steamed before it's served. All right, important information, Anne. We thank you for that. And up next, the battle for kids' attention in class with students back in school. Why districts' decisions to ban phones is about more than getting them just to focus. With the new school year underway, schools are cracking down on something they say is a major distraction, students with cell phones. Rahama Ellis with more on the new rules in our series, Kids Under Pressure.

Everywhere you look, kids are on their cell phones, but now there's growing pressure to ban them in schools. It's for the benefit of students. Brockton, Massachusetts high school principal Kevin McCaskill is getting a shipment of 3,700 pouches, one for each of his students to lock their cell phones in during the school day. Why is it a good idea for kids to put their cell phones away while they're in school? We can get the focus back on education as opposed to a student's social media feeds, text messages from other students, or even sometimes their parents saying, you know, what do you want for dinner? At least seven of the nation's largest school districts have rules against using cell phones during the school day, including bands in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Orange County, Florida.

Four states have enacted statewide cell phone restrictions. Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and South Carolina. California and New York State could soon join that list. While not all parents are on board, the shift comes as research shows phone-free schools can reduce distractions and cyberbullying, enhance focus on learning, and improve student well-being. Today, the Surgeon General warning, parents face additional stress managing their children's phone use. Many parents are struggling with tech and social media. Those are the number one and two causes of stress that parents cite when they talk about parenting being harder now compared to a generation ago. Grace Catella, an eighth grader in Framingham, welcomes her school's restrictions.

You need to see the big picture and see how it really, like, how it helps you learn and how it helps the school. Her mother Jennifer believes it reduces anxiety and encourages socialization. The students are more engaged with each other at recess. They're actually talking to each other. They're doing activities rather than kind of going into their own circle and going onto their phone. Some families are concerned about not being able to reach their child during school hours for safety and health reasons. Administrators, however, encourage families to call the school office. Tom?

All right, Rahima, we thank you for that. And thank you so much for watching. I'm Tom Yamas in New York. Have a great night.