Transcript of Bondi Beach Attack, Brown University Latest, Reiner Investigation

At least 15 people were shot and killed at a Hanica celebration in Australia.

The country's Prime Minister condemned the attack.

What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of anti-Semitism.

Hami Martínez, that is Steve Inskeep, and this is a first from NPR News.

Authorities say they will release a person of interest detained after the Brown University shooting. This is what these investigations look like. I've been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another. That's exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so. Where does the release leave the investigation?

Police are investigating the reported deaths of actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle. Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day. Regular insurance is great for your standard day-to-day risks, but for those once in a operation catastrophes, countries like Jamaica have made other preparations. We all realize that hurricanes are inevitable, and we can't just sit here and hope we had to be proactive. On Planet Money, how Jamaica weathered the worst hurricane in the country's history with a bet. Planet Money, listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Ai expert Alvin Grayland has worked in Silicon Valley and China's tech scene for over three decades. Talk of an AI arms race, he thinks it's a big mistake. When I hear this from people who are very influential in the decision-making in America, it feels a little bit ignorant and very scary. Ideas about AI in 2026 and beyond. Listen to the Ted Radio Hour on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. On NPR's Wild Card podcast, Jamie Lee Curtis talks about Hollywood's pressure to cover up aging. You can't hide the truth.

We are who we are. If that's ultimately what I get to represent in this lifetime, time, then I will feel it was a life well-lived. Watch or listen to that Wild Card conversation on the NPR app or on YouTube at NPR Wild Card. On a warm Sunday evening in Sydney, Australia, people were celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukah on a beach. That is when two gunmen opened fire.

Today, police say they have some information about the suspects accused of killing at least 15 people. They're described as a father and son shown making a sustained assault that lasted until police shot them.

Journalist Christina Kukulia is following events from Melbourne. Christina, what's it been like there since the attack took place?

Good morning. It's a difficult time for Australia's Jewish community and the country as a whole. We've seen grief expressed for those killed and hurt and public expressions of support for those affected. New South Wales police released some more information about the father and son who allegedly carried out the attack. The father was 50 years old and was killed by police officers at the scene. His 24-year-old son is in hospital, recovering from critical injuries. Police say he will likely face criminal charges. Police quickly designated the incident a terror attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come out again to condemn the violence.

What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of any Semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores.

That declaration of an act of terrorism means additional powers have now been given to police to investigate.

Okay. Now, what is known so far about the victims?

Still very little at this stage. It's only been about 24 hours since the shooting, and information is emerging very slowly. Police say those who were killed are yet to be formally identified. They believe their ages rage between 10 and 87 years. That includes a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor. They say dozens more were hospitalized, some of whom are in critical condition. And two police officers officers who sustained gunshot wounds are also in hospital. The New South Wales government has warned the death toll could still rise. Now, stories are also emerging of pastors by who helped shelter people fleeing the beach when the attack broke out. Prime Minister Albanizi acknowledged the bravery of one civilian in particular. He was seen in a video widely shared on social media, wrestling a weapon of one of the alleged shooters. Albanizi identified the man as Ahmed Al Ahmed and said his actions came at great risk to him. He confirmed that he suffered serious injuries and is undergoing surgery in hospital.

Any motives for the shooters that we know of?

The police haven't said specifically so. They've only said that the investigation is ongoing. Police say the father held a valid weapons permit for several years. They added that the son had come to the attention of Australia's domestic intelligence agency in 2019, but they assessed that he didn't represent a threat to commit violence at that time.

Now, Mass shootings tend to eventually spark conversations around gun laws. Is that happening in Australia right now?

Yes, it very much is. Today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a meeting with leaders of Australia's states and territories, and they were briefed on the Bonda investigation. Australia already has some of the world's strictest gun laws after a mass shooting in Tasmania in the 1990s. But ahead of today's meeting, the Prime Minister said there's a need for even tougher laws after the Bonda attack. Some of what he mentioned briefly was looking limiting the number of guns people can be licensed for and a possible review of how long licenses can be held. Now, the leaders have issued a joint statement agreeing to work on strengthening Australia's gun laws.

As a reporter, Christina Kuglia in Melbourne. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

A person of interest who had been detained following a shooting at Brown University is to be released.

Authorities determine there is no basis to hold this person, which leaves them looking for whoever opened fire, two students were killed and nine others injured.

Reporter Paul C. Kelly Campos of Ocean State Media has been covering the story. He joins us now from Providence. Paul, what is known about the person of interest and what changed with that person?

Well, he had been detained Sunday morning at a hotel in the town of Coventry, Rhode Island, which is about 17 miles outside of Providence. But late last night, Mayor Brett Smiley that they had the wrong person, and he is due to be released. Rhode Island's attorney general, Peter Nourona, also explained last night that following a detailed analysis of the evidence, there was no basis to consider him a person of interest.

This is what these investigations look like.

I've been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another. And that's exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so.

Providence Police Chief, Oscar Perez, is Asking residents to share any potential leads or security cam footage that could help find the suspect at large. The suspect was able to escape after shooting multiple people in a classroom. Attorney General Nourona said that he's been in contact with FBI's director, Cash Patel about the person of interest to be released.

Okay, what's known about the victims?

Well, Mayor Smiley did not share the names of the victims at yesterday's press conferences, as he said that some of the families or relations of the victims have not been notified or been made aware of the situation because of holiday travel. Smiley said that he spoke with some of the wounded yesterday.

One individual has been discharged. One individual remains in critical but stable condition, and the other seven are in stable condition.

The mayor said that the city will offer people mental health programs and trauma response resources.

How are people in Providence, Rhode Island, reacting?

The community has been rattled by the shooting. A Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony that had already been scheduled at a by Park and Providence yesterday evening shifted to being a memorial for the shooting victims. Angie Joe is a Providence resident whose sister goes to Brown.

It's a shock and so much sadness that it really shouldn't be this way.

Brown is nestled in the middle of a residential community. Yesterday, as I walked through the campus, I observed students embracing and supporting each other as I passed by. Every single person I talked to was tearful. Many were visibly you distraught, shaken, and deeply frustrated. Brown University med student Anna Nguyen said he was in the middle of exams when the lockdown order came in.

Unfortunately, this is a second school shooting that I've been to. My last one was my undergrad, and I feel like something this unimaginable is happening way too often. Paul, you mentioned earlier this is happening during finals at Brown. What is going to happen with that?

For the time being, Brown has canceled all final exams. Late last night, authorities said they were starting to collect and look into new leads and evidence. Mayor Smiley also stated that people in Providence should expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days. But he insisted that he does not believe residents are in danger. Okay.

Reporter Paul C. Kelly Compost of our member station, Ocean State Media in Providence. Paul, thank you.

Thank you.

Millions of Americans have seen the movies of Rob Reiner. Now, people in Hollywood and far beyond are absorbing the news of Reiner's death with his wife, producer and photographer, Michelle Singer-Reiner.

Police found two bodies yesterday at the Reiner's Los Angeles home. It's hard to know where to begin in describing Rob Reiner's career. In the 1970s, he was in the sitcom All in the Family, playing the liberal foil to his character's reactionary father-in-law, Archie Bunker. He went on to become an activist who championed causes his character would have liked, and he spent decades as the director of films, including When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, This is Final Tap, and A Few Good Men.

Reporter Steve Futterman joins us from outside Reiner's home in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood. Steve, what do we know right now?

Well, we do know some basic facts. Two bodies were found inside the home of Rob Reiner. La police are not confirming the identities, but Variety and the LA Times have published a statement from the Reiner family announcing the death. Now, this area where I'm at right now, a A few hundred feet from the home, has been cordoned off. Officers from the Homicide Division are conducting the investigation that's been going on all night. Police did hold a sometimes confusing news conference here last evening. They confirmed that there were deaths, But not much else. This is Alan Hamilton. He's the LAPD Deputy Chief.

We will not be releasing any information regarding who was found deceased in the residence because that will be done by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Now, we are being told that the results of preliminary autopsies are expected to be released later today. Police say at that time, they will be free to release many more specific details. Okay.

Any suspects so far?

Well, speculation is rampant, but Again, police are saying very little publicly. Here again, the Deputy Chief Hamilton, when he was asked about a suspect.

At this time, the Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest or in any other manner, and we will not be doing that until we conduct our investigation and we move forward.

Now, obviously, in any homicide investigation, if police have no idea who committed the crime, they would be seeking a suspect or a person of interest. The fact that they are not right now does suggest that they may indeed know or suspect someone of committing the crime.

Steve, Rob Reiner was as LA and as Hollywood as it gets. What's been the reaction here?

Well, this has really sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry. Rob Reiner grew up here in Hollywood. The estate of Norman Lear released a statement. Now, Lear played a key role in Reiner's career, choosing him to appear in the landmark, Sitcom All In The Family. Lear's estate said, Norman often referred to Rob as a son. The world is unmistakenly darker tonight. Reiner was also involved in politics, often supporting liberal causes. And former President Barack Obama issued a statement. He said, Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. And California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was a close friend of Reiner, said, Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love. He said, Reiner will be remembered for his extraordinary contribution to humanity. Now, again, we do expect more information to come out later today.

As a reporter, Steve Futtererman, just 100 feet away from the Reiner home in Brentwood, California. Steve, thanks a lot.

Thank you.

A That's Up First for Monday, December 15th. I'm A. Martinez.

I'm Steve Inscape. Your next listen can be Consider This from NPR News. Up First gives you three big stories of the day. Consider This Drills Down on One. You can listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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But is there more that kids, parents, and the rest of us should know about these two numbers?

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