NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, July 21, 2025

Episode Date: July 22, 2025

Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowns in Costa Rica; Close call between B-52 and regional jet in North Dakota under investigation; Military fighter jet crashes into school building; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the drowning tragedy actor Malcolm Jamal Warner swept away by a powerful ocean current what we're learning about the beloved star of the Cosby show the resident and so much more. Costa Rican police saying he drowned despite bystanders efforts to rescue him and first responders trying to save his life. Fans across the country remembering him tonight. The new video of the B-52 coming too close for comfort for a Delta regional pilot,

sending him into an aggressive maneuver and telling passengers over the intercom, quote, that is not normal. The latest close call rattling flyers. Also tonight, the Bangladesh Air Force Jet crashing into a school full of kids, 20 killed and more than 170 injured. What went wrong? Hunter Biden's new revelation saying his father into a school full of kids, 20 killed and more than 170 injured.

What went wrong? Hunter Biden's new revelation saying his father took an ambient before that disastrous debate performance that marked the beginning of the end of the reelection campaign. The outcry over a traffic stop that suddenly turned violent. The investigation into what happened. Eytan Pates' face was the first to appear on a milk carton when he went missing decades ago. Now, the man who confessed to his murder

is ordered a new trial after being sentenced 25 to life in prison, the new flash flood threat impacting millions, plus... -♪ Be out to the ball game. And a whole new ball game will take you inside John Oliver's mammoth makeover for a minor league team. Nightly News starts right now.

This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamares. And good evening. Tonight as we come on the air, the tragedy in paradise for a beloved actor, Malcolm Jamal Warner, known as Theo in the Cosby show, drowning in Costa Rica. Warner, 54, was swimming at a beach on the Caribbean coast when authorities say a current pulled him deeper into the ocean.

They say people tried to rescue him, but he didn't survive. Warner became a household name when he played Theo Huxtable, Bill Cosby's son on The Cosby Show, which ran for eight seasons right here on NBC from 1984 into the 90's Warner went on to star in Malcolm and Eddie and the resident he also directed and launched a recent podcast

for the loss has more on his lasting legacy and shocking passing. Malcolm Jamal Warner was just 14 when the cause the show catapulted him to superstardom that he became a household name playing Theo Huxtable the only son of TV parents Bill Cosby and Felicia Rashad. The cause the show has been a wonderful beginning and a wonderful stepping stone.

Now the beloved actor is dead at the age of 54. Investigators in Costa Rica say that the actor drowned Sunday afternoon while swimming in the province of Limon after he was swept away by a powerful ocean current, according to the investigators, who say Warner was rescued by bystanders and taken to the shore.

He was treated by first responders, they added, but pronounced dead at the scene due to asphyxia Warner leaves behind a wife and daughter just a few months ago he posted this video on instagram with a flower from his daughter took behind his ear. And no matter what's going on there's always a reason to smile. Warner spent 8 seasons in his breakout role on the Cosby show.

I know Warner spent 8 seasons in his breakout role on the Cosby show. Then went on to build an impressive on screen career starring in Malcolm and Eddie. I don't need you to explain you taking on reoccurring roles in suits and the resident. And you think my behavior. Warner was? No. That's my superpower. Warner was also an accomplished musician, even winning a Grammy in 2015.

He recently launched a podcast called Not All Hood, aimed at telling important stories within the black community. The latest episode dropping just days before his death. I just I loved your take and your reminder that should be as celebrated as the rest of the lanes of black culture. Among those honoring Warner tonight former co-star Tracy Ellis Ross who wrote what an actor and friend you were warm gentle present kind thoughtful deep funny elegant you made the world a brighter place. I think I've been blessed, but I've also worked hard for it.

And it feels good. Chloe Moloss joins us now live in studio. And Chloe, you've just learned who Malcolm Jamal Warner was with in Costa Rica. Tom, that's right. I just spoke to a source close to Warner who says that he was actually in Costa Rica with his wife and his young child and that his family is currently in the process of trying

to get his body back to the United States and make funeral arrangements. But this source also telling NBC News, Tom, that it doesn't look like anything suspicious happened, that it just looks like a very tragic accident. All right. Chloe Mouaz with that sad passing, Chloe. Thank you. Tonight, the FAA and Air Force are investigating that very close call over North Dakota on Friday when a B-52 bomber and a Delta Airlines regional jet

carrying 80 people nearly collided in the sky. It happened as the bomber was performing a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair. Here's Tom Costello. Amateur video at the North Dakota State Fair captured the Delta Airlines regional jet flown by Skywest, making a sharp turn as the biggest bomber in the Air Force fleet, a B-52, roars over the crowd below. For those of you on the right-hand side, you probably saw the airplane kind of sort of

coming at us. Nobody told us about it. After making a hard 25-degree bank to the right, then then diving the Skywest pilot apologized to the passengers on board. So sorry about the aggressive maneuvering coffee by surprise. This is not not normal at all. I don't know why they didn't give us a heads up because the airport base does have radar and nobody said, hey, there's also a B 52 in the pattern. Passenger Monica Green says the sudden turn felt very sharp.

I just remember the plane going sideways like that and just looking straight out the window and just seeing grass. It happened just 1,000 feet above the ground. In a statement, SkyWest says Flight 3788 had been cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. The Minot tower doesn't have

radar. It operates on visual flight rules. The FAA says the tower is run by a private company and these controllers are not FAA employees. I'm not sure the B-52 crew even knew that the Delta airplane was there so and they were not talking to the same controller. It comes just six months after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Eagle regional plane killing 67 people over Washington. Tonight the private company that operates the Minot Tower is deferring all questions to the FAA. The military says that B-52 was flying on an approved flight path. Tom? All right Tom

we thank you. Now to that horror in the middle of the school day a fighter jet crashing into the building in Bangladesh That went up into flames as students and teachers scrambled to try and get out. Here's Richard Engle The pilot of the f-7 fighter jet was on a training flight and smashed into the K through 12 school just after takeoff and smashed into the K through 12 school just after takeoff. First responders combed through the charred building. The plane crash happened in the middle of the afternoon while the school was full of teachers and students. I was picking up my kids and I heard something coming from behind. When I looked back, I only saw smoke and fire, this teacher said.

Parents rushed to find and pick up their children, while others watched recovery efforts in horror. Jule found his daughter alive amid the wreckage. When I came here I saw there was a huge fire and the dead body of a child, he said. In a statement the military said the aircraft had a technical malfunction. The pilot was killed, along with at least 20 students and teachers. Richard Engel joins us now live in studio. Richard, from what we understand, the pilot was trying to avoid even more populated areas? So a statement was released that said that the pilot did take some evasive action.

That he, in the little time that he had, he tried to avoid a populated area and had this terrible choice to make and crashed into a building that ultimately was a school killing teachers, students and himself. Terrible choice is right. Okay, Richard, good to see you in the studio. Now to the Middle East and the death toll rising at a food distribution site after Israeli soldiers opened fire in Gaza, sparking new criticism today of Israel. Matt Bradley has the late details.

Tonight, Israel expanding its war against Hamas and Gaza in areas Israeli officials believe Hamas may be holding its remaining hostages. While Israel faces growing criticism over humanitarian crisis, with Gazans desperate for food. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry saying at least 100 people were killed when Israeli soldiers opened fire on an aid distribution site. We went to get flowers, says this man. That's when the Israelis started shooting at us. Israel disputes the casualty figures and says the IDF fired warning shots to remove an immediate threat.

Tonight, 28 Western countries, including France and the UK, criticizing Israel over what they call the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children at the aid distribution sites. Israel saying the blame should be placed on Hamas, which quote, started the war and is prolonging it. Emreine Salimi is an American doctor working in Gaza for the past three weeks. I have seen so much malnutrition here. She says many patients struggle to fight off infections and heal from serious injuries because they're starving.

I have never seen anything like what I've seen here in Gaza. The lack of resources, the siege, the inability to bring things that are needed has really been challenging. And Gazan health officials say at least 19 people have died from acute hunger in Gaza in just the past 24 hours. Tom. Matt Bradley for us, Matt, we thank you. Back here at home, it's been six months into his second term, President Trump looking to move past the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files.

While the former president's son is also making headlines, Hunter Biden blaming Ambien for his dad's debate performance. Here's Kelly O'Donnell. The president's push to move on is not dissipating drama around the DOJ files of the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. What are they hiding from the American people? Release the files. While House Speaker Mike Johnson today stressed Republican unity. There is no daylight between the House Republicans, the House and the President on maximum transparency.

But more questions on the White House driveway about whether the FBI will open its files after the president said he wants grand jury testimony about Epstein released following pressure from his own MAGA base. Is the president satisfied that his own supporters are not heeding his call to let it go and to move on? I know the president would reject that Kelly. In fact, he cited over the weekend, some polls showing that his approval rating

with the Republican Party is actually at an all-time high. Will he call on Cash Patel to do more? The president has told the attorney general and the FBI director to release any credible evidence that they find. While exactly one year after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, his son Hunter offered a new theory

about Mr. Biden's struggle at that fateful debate. If we finally beat Medicare. Thank you, President Biden. Blaming sleep aid Ambien taking around his foreign travel for his performance. He's 81 years old. He's tired as, they give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He's 81 years old. He's tired as sh**. They give him Ambien to be able to sleep.

He gets up on the stage and he looks like he's a deer in the headlights. Hunter Biden also lashed out at actor and Democratic supporter George Clooney for calling on his father to drop out of the race. Asked about that Ambien assertion, the former president's office declined to comment. Tom? Kelly O'Donnell, our thanks to you. Some violent moments during a traffic stop in Jacksonville caught on camera.

The video viewed more than four million times, raising new questions tonight about police tactics and a warning the video you're about to see is disturbing. Marissa Parra reports. Exit the vehicle now! Exit the vehicle! Show me your hands. paro reports. So your hands here. Violent moments captured on camera during a traffic stop in Jacksonville Florida this February video going viral after

driver William McNeil junior who filmed inside of his car posted his Sunday drawing swift reaction since it shows an interaction with police already in progress including the moment, an officer breaks mcneil's window and strikes in the face. He called the supervisor for. So your hand here but the Jacksonville sheriff's office says that the video doesn't tell the whole story. Social media is not reality.

One video clip devoid of context can be very misleading. The sheriff tonight releasing officer worn body camera footage showing McNeil pulled over for driving without headlights in the rain. They say he wouldn't provide his license and registration. Here officers repeatedly warning that if he did not comply getting out of the vehicle to break his window and under arrest.

Over the door and exit are we're going to break the window. Open the door and exit are we're going to break the window. The sheriff says none of the involved officers violated criminal law, but administrative review is ongoing. Yes, there absolutely was forced use by the arresting officers and yes that force is ugly. Just because forces of it does not mean it's all awful. NBC News is not spoken to make you directly but his lawyer

says he's still recovering. His teeth actually went through his lip when he was slammed to the ground. So he's still recovering and dealing with those injuries. His attorney says they plan on filing a lawsuit. Rasa para NBC News. In 60 seconds his face was everywhere. Aton Pates was the first child featured on a milk carton when he went missing

decades ago. Why a court just ordered a milk carton when he went missing decades ago. Why, a court just ordered a new trial for the man convicted in his murder. That's next. Back now with a case that gripped the nation, the 1979 kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Aton Pates. Today, a stunning legal development, a federal appeals court ruling the man convicted should get a new trial or go free. Stephanie Goss reports on the uncertainty about what comes next. Six-year-old Aton Pates disappeared on May 25th, 1979 on his way to the school bus

stop in New York City. The crime shocked the country. He was never found. Aton simply disappeared. Nearly 40 years later in 2017, the state of New York convicted former shop clerk Pedro Hernandez, Pates, his father speaking after the murder verdict. It's about time. It really is, but tonight a federal appeals court has overturned the conviction and it's ruling the three

judge panel says instructions given to the jury during deliberations. Prejudice the verdict. It is really, really rare that this happens because the legal standard is so stringent. There has to be judicial error, but also that error must be harmful or have mattered with no physical evidence.

The case focused on a confession. According to today's decision, Hernandez, who has a history of mental illness, admitted to the crime after approximately seven hours of questioning before being read his Miranda rights. Investigators recorded him admitting to the crime again after he was read his rights. But Hernandez ultimately recanted

and questioned surrounding that confession led to a hung jury when the case was first tried in 2015. In 2017, Hernandez was convicted. Tonight, his defense team writing in a statement, for more than 13 years, Pedro Hernandez has been in prison for a crime he did not commit. And based on a conviction that the Second Circuit has now made clear, was obtained in clear violation of law.

Tonight, the Manhattan district attorney says it's reviewing the decision. If they decide not to go forward with a third trial, Tom, Pedro Hernandez walks free. That'd be a stunning development. All right, Stephanie, thank you. We're back in a moment with the new flash flood emergency. A woman swept away during a morning hike. Plus the new recall, millions of above ground pools recalled because of the danger to kids.

Stay with us. Back now with breaking news in the Breonna Taylor case, a judge sentencing former Louisville police officer Brett Hangerson to 33 months in prison. Federal prosecutors suggested just one day behind bars outraging Taylor's family. Prosecutors said Hangerson fired blindly multiple times into her apartment but did not hit her during the deadly encounter in 2020. The summer of intense floods showing little sign of letting up. A 62-year-old woman was overtaken by a rising creek while out on a walk on a popular nature trail near Kansas City, Kansas.

Flood watches are up for millions across the desert west up into the Ohio Valley after a weekend full of flash floods. In the heat of summer, a major recall to tell you about, above ground swimming pools. It impacts about five million swimming pools made by Bestway, Intex, and Poly Group and sold in American retailers like Walmart, Target, and more. Nine children under the age of three

have died on the pools in recent years when they climbed in using a strap that circles the pools. Okay, and wild moments on the water in Monaco. Check this out when two power boats crashed just seconds into the E1 qualifying race. Look at this angle. You can see Team Brazil swerving suddenly to avoid one racer and then slamming into another. Both pilots somehow walked away unharmed.

Okay, and when we come back, get ready to smile and cheer on your new favorite team you've never heard of. We take the field with John Oliver as he brings a major change to a beloved minor league team. That's next. Thank you, George Moore. Yes, that's right. Finally, there's good news tonight about one minor league baseball team's mammoth makeover, all thanks to comedian John Oliver, who's getting a lot of laughs and fans in the stands.

Here's Aaron McLaughlin. Congratulations to the Seawolves. You're about to be called something else. When the eerie Seawolves won a contest for a total rebrand courtesy of John Oliver and his HBO show last week tonight. Everyone. If you could have imagined this. Over there is your mascot I would I would argue it now is

the people of areas mascot the they hopefully will adopt him today and then racing as one of their own. And he was there for fuzz in the minor league teams first did that as the man asked to the face now temporarily named after Erie Pennsylvania native George moon and the remains of the prehistoric mammoth he discovered at the bottom of a local Lake. It's looks a little better than he did at the bottom of the

lake. Right we're not going to go back to that time. Eerie went all out to welcome the mascot with a sold out ballgame moon themed merch even mammoth inspired food and why eerie. I mean it seemed like their application was really fun. But it's only expected to appear at a handful of games. Oliver says what happens next depends on the team and the fans. I love an excuse to be silly. What does a moon mammoth mean to you?

I have no clue. And is there a deeper message that you're sending here? I think it is. If you're a mammoth and things are looking bad, and you feel yourself sinking to the bottom of a lake and you're thinking, I'm pretty sure this is it. Just know you'll end up being branded as a minor league baseball team. There's hope for us all.

Yeah, life is never fully over, right? Look what that mammoth gave us. Green dress for my happy home. Erin McLaughlin, NBC News, Erie, Pennsylvania. Let's go Mammoths! Go Mammoths! That's Nightly News for this Monday. NBC News Erie, Pennsylvania. Go Mammoths. That's nightly news for this Monday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight and always. We're here for you. Good night.