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Manchester Police Constable Press Conference; IED Used in Manchester Arena Blast; Manchester Mayor News Conference; Mother of Daughter Attending Concert Discusses Attack; Officials Say IED Used in Manchester Blast. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired May 23, 2017 - 02:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:34] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone, to our continuing breaking news coverage of what appears to be a terrorist attack on Manchester City Arena, one of the largest entertainment venues in Britain. Police are saying 15 people are confirmed killed and the number of people wounded has increased now to 59. They are being treated at six hospitals across Manchester City. They are investigating this as a terrorist attack. It happened around 10:35 p.m. Monday night as a concert by the pop star, Ariana Grande, ended.

Let me take to you a news conference by Manchester police. Ian Hopkins, the chief constable, is addressing reporters.

IAN HOPKINS, CHIEF CONSTABLE, GREAT MANCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT: -- the 59 people who have been injured across Manchester. As you'll appreciate, this is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to make the investigation and the visible patrol that's people will see across greater Manchester as they wake up to the news of the events of last night. This would include armed officers, as people would expect, and more than 400 officers have been deployed on this operation throughout the night to.

To remind you, we were called about 10:33 p.m. to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena. This was at the conclusion of the Ariana Grande concert. We then received more than 240 calls and emergency services responded very quickly to the scene. Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for their loved ones who may not have returned home. These numbers are 01618569400 or 0161856-949900.

We have been treating this as a terrorist incident. And we believe at this stage, the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.

The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated, causing this atrocity. We would ask people not to speculate on his details or share names. This is a complex and wide- ranging investigation. Our priority is to work with the national counter terrorism policing network and U.K. intelligence services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack.

We have received tremendous support from across the police service in England and Wales and partner agencies throughout the night. We regularly carry out exercises to test our ability to respond to such incidents and this has ensured a very swift response from national and local agencies. I want to thank all members of those emergency services and other agencies who have worked tirelessly throughout the night in very difficult circumstances. Their response has been quite outstanding

There remains a large cordon in place around Manchester Arena and the Victoria train station, which will be in place for some time. The station will remain closed while the detailed forensic search is underway. People should plan their route to work after follow Transport for Great Manchester for updates.

Terrorists will attempt to disrupt our lives and create distrust and fear in our communities. We have long history in greater Manchester of our community standing together during difficult times. In the coming days, we will be working very closely with community leaders to address any concerns or issues that our communities may have.

It is important that we all continue to remain vigilant, but that we go about our daily lives. We would ask members of the public to be alert and report any suspicious activity to the police anti-terror hotline, 0800789321 or, of course, ring 999.

[02:05:03] As people are waking up to the tragic news of what is a sad day for office and staff of Greater Manchester Police, other emergency services and our partners, will continue to do all they can to help us get through difficult days ahead.

Finally, I would like to appeal to any members of the public that may have images or footage from last night that they believe can assist in our investigations. If they can upload them to U.K.policeimageappeal.co.uk, or policeimageappeal.com, we would be very grateful.

I have time for a couple of questions.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you tell us the age range of the victims and whether or not they've all been identified?

HOPKINS: Obviously, at this stage, I can't give that level of detail. What I can confirm is that there are children among the deceased.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you confirm whether or not there was shrapnel or nails in the IED?

HOPKINS: At I said, this is a very fast moving investigation. We are saying it was an improvised explosive device but I can't give any more details on that at this stage.

(CROSSTALK) UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: The person responsible, can you confirm if

it's a British national or not?

HOPKINS: Again, at this stage, I can't give any further details other than they are deceased at the scene.

(CROSSTALK)

HOPKINS: That's it for now, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much. Thank you.

(CROSSTALK)

GORANI: Ian Hopkins, the chief constable of Manchester police, with the grim, grim news that the death toll this attack has risen to 22, 59 wounded. And the chief constable confirming that children are among those killed.

The attack, he confirmed, happened at 10:33 p.m., was when the reports of explosions started coming in. Emergency numbers have been set up for relatives. You can imagine the despair and the worry that concerned relatives are going through right now, those who might not be sure if anyone they know is affected.

Police treating this as a terrorist incident. The attack was conducted by one man, police are telling us. The attacker died at the scene. This has been confirmed that the attacker used an IED, an improvised explosive device. We can probably infer from that, that the most likely method there of carrying out this attack was a suicide bombing. The big question for authorities, was this individual acting alone.

A large security cordon has been set up around the arena. We're here on the other side of this entertainment venue. And this cordon will stay in place for some time, according to the police.

Erin McLaughlin joins me live. She is outside of one of the hospitals treating those injured.

What more can you tell us, Erin?

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hala, we're here outside the Manchester royal infirmary, authorities came out and removed two red signs posted at the entrance. They had declared that there was a major incident and that authorized personnel only were allowed inside the hospital. We also saw a fairly large police presence out here as well. That police presence has pretty much driven away. This is one of six hospitals that are treating victims of that horrific explosion.

Overnight, we spoke to one eyewitness, 17-year-old Elie Ward. She was at the Ariana Grande concert with her friend. Ariana Grande had just left the stage. The lights had gone up in the arena when a massive explosion, she said, took place. She said even inside the arena, she could feel the explosion. Her grandfather had arrived to pick her up. He sustained a head injury and was brought to this hospital for treatment. One of many such stories that we're hearing of individuals who had arrived at that arena to pick up their children, to pick up their kids, and got caught up in this apparent attack.

Really, a tragic circumstance. We are waiting from hospital officials to come out and give us an update specifically on the name of injuries sustained by the victims of this attack.

GORANI: Right. And we understand some parents still aren't exactly sure what happened to their children. Are there still cases that relatives don't know what happened to their kids? We're talking about an arena with a capacity up to 20,000, I believe. In the couldn't fusion, it is possible people have woken up without a clear idea of whether or not someone they know was affected.

[02:09:52] MCLAUGHLIN: That's right. And we know authorities have set up a special hotline to deal with that kind of horrifying situation. A place where parents, loved ones can get an update on the situation, to get an update on the victims to try find their loved ones, if they are in fact missing. Sadly, CNN on the overnight hours has spoken to one woman who was missing her children. I cannot imagine the horror that woman must have been feeling, as well as others who are waking up this morning to the realization that their loved ones are either injured or gone.

GORANI: This is Ariana Grande. We're talking about a pop star who is popular with children and young teenagers. This was the softest of soft targets for any terrorist. And we're talking also about somebody who detonated explosives in a foyer area where people were streaming out for maximum damage, in order to cause maximum carnage as well, Erin. And this makes it all the more cowardly and disgusting.

MCLAUGHLIN: That's right. As you heard in that press conference, Hala, authorities are rapidly trying piece together the identity of that individual who carried that IED into the foyer and detonated it amongst children who were out for a concert to see one of their pop idols sing. They say it is a fast-moving investigation. Hopefully, they will come forward with identity details soon. No doubt, they're looking at whether or not this person was part of a broader plot, if there are other individuals involved as well. As yet, they have not identified the individual who apparently instigated this attack.

GORANI: Right.

And just to update our viewers as well, there has been no claim of responsibility for this attack that police are now saying has killed 22 people. So the toll has risen from 15 to 22. This is what we learned in the last few minutes. 59 people wounded.

Erin is at one of the six hospitals treating the victims. The attack took place, we understand, just before 10:35 p.m. That's when the first report of an explosion started coming in to police officials. Emergency numbers, as we were discussing with Erin, were set up for concerned relatives, family members, friends, for those still unclear whether or not someone they know was affected by this.

Police are treating this as a terrorist incident. They've said they believe one person carried out the attack and that that person died at the arena. It appears as though perhaps a suicide bombing is what caused the carnage. Because police are saying attacker was carrying an IED, improvised explosive device.

Erin, if you're still with us, are hospital officials saying anything about the nature of the injuries they've had to treat?

MCLAUGHLIN: Not at the moment. We are waiting for a hospital authority to come out with information about the nature of the injuries, how bad they are. We know that a press center is being set up at a hospital nearby. But at the moment, their priority is very much treating the patients. There were some 60 ambulances that responded to the arena, that responded to this attack. It was an all- hands-on-deck situation at the six hospitals that were handling some 59 injured individuals that needed treatment. So it is not clear how many of those patients are in critical condition at this time. But again, hopefully in the coming hours, authorities will come forward with those details.

GORANI: And, Erin, stand by.

She is at one of those hospitals in Manchester city treating those who were wounded as a result of this attack.

And Max Foster is at 10 Downing Street.

And Theresa May will be holding an emergency security meeting this morning, Max?

MAX FOSTER, CNN LONGON CORRESPONDENT: She will. That's the top-level security committee in this country, she'll be chairing it. And all that new information coming from Manchester police will be assessed there along with the information coming in from intelligence services and other top counterterrorism officers across the country. They'll be looking at it from a national level.

We are, of course, in the midst of an election campaign in this country. And the prime minister and the leader of the opposition have agreed to suspend campaigning in the general election into the foreseeable future, probably just today, but it could be further. It has had a huge impact on national life here.

And, Hala, people are just waking up to the news of this blast. People where you are will just be hearing about it.

GORANI: There was a lady on her bicycle who just came up to our live position here saying, what's going on? This happened at 10:35 p.m. Some people may not have been following the news at this time. Many people are waking up to what happened in their city.

This is a huge challenge for authorities in this country. It is not a lone wolf, unsophisticated knife attack or anything like that. We're talking about something that required planning, a certain level of technical knowledge of how to build a bomb, how to make a bomb and how to carry out an attack that caused mass carnage the way it did yesterday.

[02:15:41] FOSTER: It does suggest there will be some intelligence around this. Either he worked with other people to develop this device or he researched it and there will be a paper line to follow.

The British police, certainly the London police, pride themselves that they've thwarted so many attacks in this country. They haven't had the same issues as elsewhere in Europe. One of the reasons that seems to be possible, we're on an island here and there isn't a gun culture here. But the Westminster attack, just down from where I am here, it just takes a knife to carry out an attack, and where you are, an IED, which could be developed in the U.K. So lots of questions will be asked about how this could happen and whether or not there was intelligence on this man. As you know, often, we find out after an event that there was in fact intelligence but at a low level and they weren't followed up. We'll wait to see what comes out from that. We're wait to hear from Manchester police but also, metropolitan police to have a more of a national foot print on counter terrorism. And then we'll probably hear from the prime minister after that emergency committee meeting, which is in -- when will that be? Less than two hours now. We should get an update after that.

GORANI: 9:00 a.m. local. It is 7:16 a.m. right now in Manchester and across the United Kingdom.

Max Foster is at 10 Downing Street. My colleague, Erin McLaughlin, at one of the hospitals here in Manchester treating those who were injured as a result of this horrific attack.

Just to recap, police in Manchester are saying 22 people have now been confirmed killed as a result of the attack happened at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester at one of the largest entertainment venues in the United Kingdom. 59 people wounded.

We'll have a lot more of our breaking news coverage after the break. Stay with us.

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[02:21:26] GORANI: Welcome back, everybody. We continue our breaking news coverage of the terror attack that took place at Manchester Arena, one of the largest entertainment arenas in this country. And it was supposed to be obviously a night of fun, a night of joy, going out, young teenagers, mainly girls. That's the fan base of Ariana Grande. And it ended in such utter and sickening tragedy.

Manchester is waking up to this horrific news that 22 people were killed in what is presumed to be a suicide bombing. A man who died at the scene, police are telling us, and who detonated an improvised explosive device.

Pop star, Ariana Grande, has reacted. She says she feels broken. The deadly attack happened just after her show.

Now, in less than two hours, the prime minister in this country, Theresa May, will be holding a government meeting of the emergency security committee. It is called the Cobra meeting. Officials say they've identified a male found at the scene and they are presuming that it is a suicide bomber, based on the fact that an IED was used to cause the carnage. The big question, was this individual acting alone? Most likely not.

Building a suicide vest, building an IED is usually something that requires some sort of expertise, some sort of sophistication and planning.

Sajjan Gohel is a terrorism expert and international security director for the Asia-Pacific Foundation, and he joins me on the phone. He happens to be in Vienna, Austria.

Sajjan, let's talk about what we heard from police this morning. The attacker died at the scene, was carrying an IED, an improvised explosive device. So potentially, this was a suicide bombing. When you hear those elements, those details. What is your first reaction?

SAJJAN GOHEL, TERRORISM EXPERT & DIRECTOR, ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION (voice-over): It's deeply chilling and horrify that this incident could happen, especially at a pop concert where so many young lights have been extinguished, many of them children. This individual deliberately chose the timing to detonate the device, in the immediate aftermath of the concert ending.

Now, as you mentioned, it is unlikely that he would act on his own. It is likely there were people assisting. Whether it was physical assistance or unarmed assistance, that's something the Northwest Terrorism Unit will have to investigate. I know some of them at a professional capacity and are capable of establishing and putting the big pieces of this puzzle together. We'll have to wait and see.

It will be interesting to see whether ISIS gets credit for this. They sometimes take longer and sometimes they react very quickly. The fact the individual's name has not been identified yet may delay whether ISIS wishes to take a role in this or whether this was the role of a person inspired by the group but not necessarily directed by them.

GORANI: It is very possible this person did not act alone, this would mean that authorities, you know, did not spot or maybe spotted but did not assign 24/7 surveillance on an individual like this. We've seen it in the past. What this tells us is it is virtually impossible to keep a close 24-hour-a-day eye on anyone you suspect might be tempted, or might be leaning one way or the other to this type of violence.

[02:25:16] GOHEL: Surveillance and monitoring of individuals is a very costly procedure and also requiring a huge number of people involved. Sometimes authorities have to make decisions as to who they think is an immediate priority.

And we still don't know who this individual was. It is possible that they came across the radar of the authorities in the past. That tends to be the case if we look at previous events that have taken place, whether it was the Westminster attack or even in Germany or France. The chances are these individuals are motivated by the ideology and the warped doctrine they pick up on social media. There are now online tools that terrorists put out, instruction about using and how to put together explosive devices.

This is something that is concerning in the build-up to Ramadan. We know for the last two years, terrorists have tried to carry out attacks in the build up to Ramadan and during that period as well. So my concern is, is this a one-up incident or a series of plots to target countries.

GORANI: Sajjan Gohel, joining us from Vienna, thanks very much.

We'll have a lot more on our breaking news after the break. Stay with CNN.

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[02:30:44] HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our continuing breaking news coverage of the attack, the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena.

The mayor of the city is speaking. Let's listen to what he is telling reporters.

ANDY BURNHAM, MANCHESTER MAYOR: I want to thank the hundreds of police, fire and ambulance staff who worked through the night in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. We have had messages of support from cities around the country and across the world, and we thank them for that.

Lastly, I want to thank the people of Manchester. Even in the minutes after the attack, they opened their doors to strangers and drove them away from danger. They gave the best possible immediate response to those he who seek to divide us. And it will be that spirit of Manchester that will prevail and hold us together.

Manchester has had some dark days in the past. I don't think I can think of anything that matches the horror of what happened last night. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of those people who are still in hospital, in some cases, fighting for their lives. And as a city, we will have to take some time to breathe. But in what we believe to have been a terrorist attack, we have to ensure that terrorism never wins. So, yes, business as usual as far as possible today. Manchester people going around their everyday business. Communities coming together. We will not allow this to divide us, just as we have not allowed events in the past to divide us. As citizens of Manchester demonstrated last night when they came out to give support to people, whatever their needs were, the city will pull together and we will make sure that we will demonstrate that defiance and the city will go on from strength to strength.

A dark day, yes, but something that Manchester in its own unique way will make sure that we turn into a strength for us as a city by working together.

Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just a couple questions.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE QUESTION).

BURNHAM: Well, I was in the home office as a minister that day and I remember how London felt that day. I remember it very vividly. What I would say to people is what Richard just said, that London pulled together, and in exactly the same way Manchester in its own unique way will pull together and will stand strong and stand together. That's what we are. That's what we do. So they won't win. We are grieving. We are hurt today. But as I said at the beginning, we are strong. And this city has dealt with difficult days in the past and we will do so now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I stood here 21 years ago after the IRA bomb, the fact is then, we didn't have the tragic loss of life --

GORANI: The mayor of Manchester and a councilmember says that Manchester are remain strong, saying they believe this was a terrorist attack, that hundreds of rescue workers, law enforcement officials, praising their work as they rush to the scene to help those who were wounded and to help also bring clarity to family members frantically searching for their relatives.

I'm joined now by Coral Long. Her 10-year-old daughter, Robin, was at the concert, at this Ariana Grande concert.

Coral, first of all, how is your daughter doing?

CORAL LONG, MOTHER OF CONCERT ATTENDEE: In total shock. She is petrified that whoever did this will come to our House or to her school. She is devastated. 10 years old, to witness something like that is just horrific.

[02:35:02] GORANI: What did you and your daughter see? Presumably you heard the explosion and then what?

LONG: Ariana had just literally finished her last song. We were getting to leave the arena and get our belongings together. The next minute we heard a loud bang coming from the left-hand side of the arena. At that point, everyone went crazy and was running and screaming and trying to get out and jumping over seats. We managed to get out. How we weren't crushed to death is a miracle. People were just pushing and pushing.

GORANI: You realized right away, this is wrong.

LONG: The stewards were screaming at people to get out. Get out. And we actually came out here. And I knew a lot of people in the arena so I was frantically trying to get hold of those people. My friends' children were inside. And I just needed to make sure that everybody was OK.

GORANI: Did you see -- I can't even imagine. First of all, you their motion is. Did you see anyone injured?

LONG: We didn't. We came out at the opposite entrance to where it happened so thankfully we didn't have to go through that. It's bad enough that my child has had to go through such a horrific experience. To see that. I do know my friend's daughter, she did see what happened. She is in a horrific state.

GORANI: What is your -- your daughter is 10. What has she been telling you over the last several hours?

LONG: She has just been crying. She's just been crying. She is just saying, why did these things happen to people? Why do they keep doing this to people? I'm breaking down today. I just have to be strong for her, to remain calm and make sure that we got home safe. Thankfully we did.

GORANI: Obviously, police are saying they believe this is a terrorist attack. That means that someone targeted children, right? The age group, the demographic. Ariana Grande hands are girls your daughter's age.

LONG: There was a little girl, she had to stand on her seat just to watch the concert. And for people to see their idols, for children to see their idols and have this impact them the rest of their lives. These people are just cowards. They're just sick cowards.

GORANI: What was it like after? You ran out, you realized something was terribly wrong. And you're saying it is a miracle that people didn't walk all over each other. It was like a stampede.

LONG: It was stampede. People are just pushing and trying to get out. I was screaming at people to stop pushing because my daughter was being pushed.

GORANI: Well, we're very glad your daughter is physically safe. That I know emotionally, there are many scars will have to be addressed. Not just for your daughter but the thousands of kids.

LONG: My heart goes out to every one of those people who have lost lives, family members. It is just absolutely sickening.

GORANI: You said you knew people in the arena. You've spokesperson with other parents?

LONG: Yes. I made sure that I knew that everyone I knew in the arena got out. They all got home safe.

GORANI: And you didn't get much sleep.

LONG: No.

GORANI: I'm sorry you're crying. I wish I had a --

LONG: It's OK.

(CROSSTALK)

GORANI: I really want to, first of all, say we're very, very sorry for you. And we are so, we keep reporting over and over again on these types of attacks. In this instance, children have been attacked.

LONG: They have. They have. I can't even say my absolute disgust in these human beings, to treat people in this way.

GORANI: You're not the only one.

Coral Long, thank you for joining us and sharing your story. I know it is a painful time for you. Just really happy that your daughter is among those who made it out safely. 22 people did not. And so many more were wounded.

LONG: Thank you.

[02:39:47] GORANI: Coral Long, who was at the Ariana Grande concert with her 10-year-old daughter, Robin. That's a typical age for a Ariana Grande fan.

There you have it. It gives you an idea, the environment, the people attending the concert and those directly targeted in the terrible terrorist attack.

We'll be right back with a lot more from Manchester. Stay with us.

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GORANI: Welcome back. We are following the terrorist attack in Manchester. Authorities say it was one man who carried out the attack and that individual died at the scene and that personal detonated an improvised explosive device. The crowd, many young children and teenagers, were leaving Manchester Arena following a concert by the pop star, Ariana Grande. 22 people have been confirmed dead. At least 59 people have been wounded.

And as I mentioned, police are investigating this as a terrorist incident. A U.S. official said suicide bombing is now considered to be the probable cause of the explosion. That would make sense. Police are saying that one individual carried out the attack with an IED. That would make sense, therefore, that it is some sort of suicide bombing as that person died at the scene. A western law enforcement official tells CNN that a male has been identified.

CNN.'s Nina dos Santos joins me live from London.

Nina, talk about the government meeting right now. What is a Cobra meeting and are we going to hear from the prime minister this morning?

[02:45:40] NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Cobra meeting is code name for Cabinet Office Briefing Room, which is the most-secret and high-level security meeting that the government convenes. It will be chaired this time by the prime minister, Theresa May. Sometimes it is chaired by the home secretary, but given the severity of what has happened overnight, it will be shared chaired by Theresa May. We'll probably hear from them later in the day about what they plan to do, what they've learned from that Cobra meeting, what they plan to do to investigate. And you can expect also some visits to the north of England to Manchester to speak to the people affected. Theresa May and the pastors visited people in hospital who were caught up in the attack.

In the meantime, with television officials, security officials, will all be working the telephones, working together to try to find out what more information they can glean about the remains they find on the scene of this individual who may well be the suspect, potential suicide bomber. You mentioned there, the DNA evidence will be crucial. Remember, in this country, it is not obligatory to carry an official I.D. or passport. Perhaps we may not see the same thing as we've seen in France where I.D.s and passports were found the scene. DNA evidence may be the important part to identify them. But mobile phone footage is crucial, including whether or not this official was using a mobile phone, a smartphone, and using WhatsApp and similar services just before the services took place -- Hala?

GORANI: And we know there are many surveillance cameras, CCTV cameras across the U.K. And I'm sure that law enforcement officials and counterterrorism agents will be looking at those as well.

Nina dos Santos, in London, thanks very much.

I'm Hala Gorani, live in Manchester. We'll have more of our breaking news after a quick break. Stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:51:49] GORANI: Welcome back. It was supposed to be a fun filled evening, and an Ariana Grande concert for kids, young teenagers. Instead, it was a scene of sheer terror after an explosion at a concert by the pop star. At least 22 people now confirmed killed accord to police here. That risen from 15, 59 wounded. Cellphone video from inside the arena captured the sound of the blast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

(EXPLOSION)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god.

What's going on?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Officials say they believe this was a suicide bombing. In fact, the chief constable says an IED was detonated by a single individual and that person's body was recovered at the scene.

Brian Levin is a director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at Southern California State University, and he joins me now from L.A.

So we're getting more pieces to this grim puzzle. Brian, police saying one individual they believe responsible some sort of IED, therefore, made it a possible suicide bomb at the root core of the carnage. What's your reaction to the news we've been hearing over the last several hours?

BRIAN LEVIN, CRIMINOLOGIST & PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE & DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF HATE & EXTREMISM, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Yes, well, first our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Britain. I'd be interested in knowing how this individual got there. Were there conspirators that transported him there, that helped him make the bomb or even helped him detonate it? Your reporting indicates it was a self-detonation. This was specifically designed to maim and kill. The other thing I would say is as we secure venues, what we're now seeing and we saw that for instance with the bopping outside of Paris in 2015, even if one can't get in the venue, one can try to blow oneself up outside. Luckily, in that case, it was sparsely populated inside the perimeter. In this case, a different story. So as we expand these perimeters, there will be choke points where people are heading form transportation hubs, for instance. And that's more difficult to interdict.

GORANI: Yeah, indeed. In fact, witnesses told us that there were security checks as you entered the arena. But obviously, you can't expand a security cordon outside a mile outside the arena. At some point people are going to have to come in and out where there's little to no security. In this case, it appears it was the foyer part of arena, sort of the box office area where people were gathered.

Now, if this individual -- I mean we're talking here about a sophisticated attack. Right, because you have to know how to build a bomb, get it to the location, detonate it. This isn't just a random knife attack here.

[02:55:03] LEVIN: That's right. However, what we've seen from both al Qaeda and most recently ISIS, remember, bin Laden's son has been pushing for retaliation and ISIS has been very active lately on social media. So even though it does take a higher degree of sophistication, and in England, it's harder to get a ballistic weapon like a firearm, there are instructions throughout the Internet as well as encryption. So what I'm interested in seeing is how does this net, this investigatory net expand with things such as video, both surveillance and cellphone, both forensically and signals intelligence as well as putting together the pieces of who this individual has been in contact with. So I would say, yes, this very well may be bigger and there might be conspirators. But we're seeing in Britain folks who are oftentimes but not always homegrown.

GORANI: Yeah. Brian Levin, thanks very much, of California State University. Thanks for your thoughts and analysis.

I'm Hala Gorani. We're live in Manchester. A lot more of our breaking news coverage on CNN after this break. Stay with us.

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[03:00:09] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.