tonight breaking news. carnage at a virginia beach mu nis yal tonight, fire in his workplace leaving at least a dozen dead. several wounded. >> you can hear the gunshots, and you are just wondering if he's going to come in where you're at. >> the latest on the gunfight with police. plus the final act. two struggling actors in love questioned in a twisted war plot that left a war hero dead. how the police were able to crack the case. and far, far away. disney land's newest attraction, "star wars," galaxy's edge.

the planet's edge as the planet of batu is brought to life. >> this is spectacular. >> "nightline" will be right back. ♪ ♪ this is how driving should feel.

the tech-advanced nissan leaf. the best selling electric vehicle of all time. this is nissan intelligent mobility. ♪ have fast internet a littland now the besthat you mobile network too? yeah and get them together and save hundreds on your wireless bill. wow, that's great. oh, and this looks great. are these words for sale? no. go, go, go, go. now you can get fast, reliable internet and save hundreds on your wireless bill. that's simple, easy, awesome. taxi! should i have stopped her? get started with a limited time offer on xfinity internet for $19.99 a month for 12 months, plus ask how to get two-hundred-fifty back when you switch to xfinity mobile. good evening. thanks for joining us. we begin tonight with breaking news from virginia beach. police say a shooter was carrying guns and a grudge when

he walked into a city government building this afternoon. when the fire fight with police was over, more than a dozen people were dead including the gunman. >> we were all just terrified. >> chaos and carnage in virginia beach as police descend on a city government building after reports of an active shooter. >> we have a victim down. >> shortly after 4:00 p.m. the suspect entered building two. he's a long-time employee of public utilities and he immediately began to fire upon all the victims. >> reporter: the fivictims were inside the building that houses scores of government workers. meghan benton described the scene inside. >> you hear this on the news but you don't think it's going to happen to you. it's like this is not a drill. get down. call 9-1-1. that's when we just -- i called 9-1-1. and we all just ran in our office and closed the door.

>> i was inside of my office. we heard shooting, building 10-a. >> reporter: police teams locked in on a potential suspect armed with a long gun and handgun shooting on multiple floors. >> actively hearing gunshots. >> i'm going in. all units. he's on the second floor. >> shooter is on the second floor. detectives coming through. >> shoots fired second floor. >> he's going up the steps. >> reporter: the chief praising the quick thinking of his officers saying their actions prevented more fatalities. >> when the original call came out immediately four officers responded. they were able to locate the floor in which the suspect was committing his carnage. they immediately engaged with the suspect. and i can tell you that it was a long gun battle between those four officers and that suspect. >> the alleged shooter, 40-year-old dwayne karatic, but

tonight the police chief choosing to focus on the victims. >> we know who the suspect is. we'll release his name once. we're going to mention his name once, and then he will be forever referred to as the suspect. >> reporter: it's a site that's too familiar. dozens of people fleeing from buildings. victims on stretchers. >> mass shootings are continuing to increase. mass shootings now get a lot more media coverage than in years' past, and sadly people who are thinking about mass shootings now see it demonstrated, and it actually can give them courage to then go try it themselves. >> reporter: virginia beach is r summer tourist destination now reeling as the community searches for answers in the wake of yet another senseless attack. >> this is the most devastating day in the history of virginia beach. the people involved are our friends, co-workers, neighbors.

>> reporter: so far there have been 150 mass shootings in the u.s. in 2019. virginia beach joining the growing list of communities forced to reckon with the unimaginable. >> i'll probably have a lot of trouble sleeping at night but yeah, just going home and hugging my family. i have an 11 month old baby at home. all i could think about his him and trying to make it home to him. >> reporter: three weeks ago students in colorado on lock down when a student killed one and injured eight. and riley howell sacrificed his own life to save his guan who oneret a charged at a classroom. he was one of two left dead. >> all of us need to be aware that we could end up in one of these situations. i actually think that people need to sort of think in those realms without being paranoid or letting it consume their thinking. >> we mourn with our loved ones

but sympathy doesn't fill that hole. we must take care of families. these horrific tragedies test our souls. >> of course we'll have the very latest from virginia beach on good morning. for now we turn to a murder mystery in california. a theater actor's chilling confession. the shocking recordings revealing one man's final act. >> this all started when a woman's body was found in an apartment in costa mesa. >> the victim was 23 years old. >> this murder is full of twists. you have a lead actor in an off eama. >> the storyf wt tond 26-year-old friend sam begins in sunny orae unty cafoia. student

talented dancer. >> she had a zest for life, a passion for her art, and everybody loved julie. >> he, an army veteran. using his combat pay to get a college degree. >> you're too scared. say something to the camera. >> good-bye, camera. >> big, strong guy. happy go lucky. >> they meet in class and she becomes his tutor. >> sam and julie have a strong platonic friendship. she loved hanging out with sam at his bachelor pad. >> reporter: but sam and julie's california dream begins to crumble on friday night, may 21st, 2010 when julie gets a series of troubling texts from sam's phone. >> can you come over tonight at midnight alone? very upset. need to talk. i'm hurting with some bad family crap. i can't be alone. no sex. >> reporter: the next say sam doesn't show up at his parent's

home for a weekend visit. his father goes to sam's apartment letting himself in with a spare key. >> i walked into the bedroom. and that's when i saw a body, a large amount of blood. i immediately called 9-1-1. >> 9-1-1. >> there's a body in my son's apartment. >> do you know where your son is? >> no, i don't. >> our victim was deceased laying partially on the bed and then kneeling on the floor. >> they find out that she is julie. >> she had one gunshot wound center of the head. >> investigators as they do begin to talk to everybody sam knows including dan and rachel. >> dan and rachel, sam's neighbors were actors at the local community theater and engaged to be married. >> daniel tells me he was with sam before he went missing and he was with another unknown subject wearing a black hat. >> rachel told them the same thing. >> in our effort to locate sam we began to go into credit card

activities. >> investigators noticed four cash withdrawals from two different atms. when they look at the video instead of seeing sam, they see a stranger they identify as 17-year-old wesley, an actor friend of dan. >> dan had sam's atm card and gave it to wesley and said look, sam owes a bunch of money and he's asked me to help him withdraw money from his atm, and i'm asking you to help. >> reporter: sam saved up $65,000 in his bank account. something investigators would learn was very attractive to dan. >> he has no full-time job. he needs thousands to help finance his wedding and pay for an expensive honeymoon. >> reporter: police clear rachel but quickly consider dan a suspect. they track him down in the middle of his bachelor party, arrest him, and bring him to the police department for interrogation. >> dan had given us a statement

that he and sam had a plan to withdraw funds from sam's atm, and sam would report his account stolen. >> these detectives are like wait, why would he pay you to steal his own money? >> dan tells detectives that the saturday after the very first atm withdrawal, he gets a knock on the door at 8:30 in the morning and guess who is standing there? sam. >> it's like there's a body in my apartment. i shot somebody. i was not happy about it. it was a fit of rage. >> it went from a credit card fraud to drug induced rage with julie. when someone tells you the truth, that doesn't change, he kept adding stuff to his story. a lightbulb went off saying it's not adding up. >> he's done the performance of his life. >> the cops say not so fast. >> you're arrested for murder. you're being arrested. you don't want to talk to us, tell us anymore, that's -- we're

done. >> whoa. whoa. yes, i helped sam get away. yes, i did not know what he was planning, yes, i lied to you earlier. yes, i -- it's something i'm not proud of. >> they begin to press him. his story changes. >> okay, fine. he came down and said help me. i went upstairs and saw the body. is that what you want to hear? >> so up to this point dan clearly thinks that he's keeping himself out of trouble. but he's about to say something that's going to change the entire investigation. >> what did you see? >> i saw two gunshots in her head. >> investigators say only one of the bullet holes was visible. >> when he mentioned he saw two gunshot wounds, i said well, he was there when she was shot. >> after questioning dan is taken to a holding cell where he calls his fiance, rachel, a call

recorded by police. >> were you the one that killed them? >> there a huge pause. >> imagine the worst, and that's what i did. >> the detective and i walked into the cell. his eyeballs were almost popping out of his head. he says i want to talk to you guys and tell you everything. >> i'm crazy and i did it. >> you did what? >> i killed julie and i killed sam. sam came first. >> reporter: he said he brought sam to an attic of a theater. >> where did you shoot him? >> the back of the head as he was going down. >> and then the second time? >> second time he was down. he was still talking. saying i need help. >> what was he saying? >> i need help. something hit me. >> then what did you do? >> i reloaded and fired again. >> you loaded behind killing sam -- the motive behind killing

sam was? >> money and insanity. >> money an instanty. >> dan's next confession is even more horrifying. he had cut up sam's body. >> what was going on in your mind when you were dismembering the body, dismembering sam's body? >> i was actually smiling and laughing. >> he's laughing and smiling as he cuts off the head of a brave young man so he can go on his honeymoon? it's evil. >> he said he used the cell phone to lure julie to the apartment. >> i put two bullets in the back of her head. >> why did you have to kill julie? >> to cover up sam. >> how would that cover up sam? >> to make it look like he was on the run and he did it. >> after the confession police question buffett to see how much she knew. >> did you help him plan this

whole murder? >> reporter: buffett was charged with being an accessory after the fact for lying to inve investigato investigators. she's serving 32 months in jail. as for dan -- >> that jury trial was the real performance of his life. he's smiling at everybody like he's the star of his own play. >> reporter: a performance that couldn't spare him from being sentenced to die. >> california's governor recently put a moratorium on the death no dan doesn't have an execution date but could remain behind bars for the rest of his life. we switch gears and we're flying far, far away to the planet of batu. with moderate to severe ulceratiyour plans... crohn's, can change in minutes.

your head wants to do one thing... but your gut says not today. if your current treatment isn't working... ask your doctor about entyvio®. entyvio® acts specifically in the gi tract, to prevent an excess of white blood cells from entering and causing damaging inflammation. entyvio® has helped many patients achieve long-term relief and remission. infusion and serious allergic reactions can happen during or after treatment. entyvio® may increase risk of infection, which can be serious. pml, a rare, serious, potentially fatal brain infection caused by a virus may be possible. tell your doctor if you have an infection experience frequent infections or have flu-like symptoms, or sores. liver problems can occur with entyvio®. ask your doctor about the only gi-focused biologic just for ulcerative colitis and crohn's. entyvio®. relief and remission within reach. featuring three new dishes that are planked-to-perfection. feast on new cedar-plank lobster & shrimp. or new colossal shrimp & salmon with a citrusy drizzle.

tender, smoky, and together on one plank... ...but not for long- so hurry in! it's how we care for our cancer patients- like job. when he was diagnosed with cancer, his team at ctca created a personalized care plan to treat his cancer and side effects. so job could continue to work and stay strong for his family. this is how we inspire hope. this is how we heal. we love you, daddy. good night. i love you guys. cancer treatment centers of america. appointments available now. cancer treatment centers of america. wearing powerful sunscreen? yes! neutrogena® ultra sheer. unbeatable protection helps prevent early skin aging and skin cancer with a clean feel. the best for your skin. ultra sheer®. neutrogena®.

shopfor up to 40% offal day eveon appliances...first ...plus use your sears card and get an extra 10% off. and you'll also get three hundred dollars cashback in points. sears, making moments matter.

strong on the planet of batu tucked away in the heart of disneyland, the backdrop for "star wars" galaxy's edge. now for a look into a world far far away, here's ginger z. >> reporter: buckle up and get ready to visit a galaxy far far away. welcome to the planet of batu here at "star wars" galaxy's edge in disneyland. a 14 acre jed di's dream come true. every scare inch designed to immerse guests in their own star warz adventure. >> it will be jaw dropping and

emotional to walk into the land for the first time. to be standing there among the buildings and ships and have a feeling that it's real and brought to life and it's right there in front of you. it's overwhelming. >> reporter: it's a vision nearly five years in the making and the largest single themed land ever in a disney park. this is what "star wars" fans have been waiting for. here you can get up close and personal with your favorite "star wars" characters. >> wow. this is pretty spectacular. first stop, the falcon. moments before my flight, some words of wisdom. >> any tips? can you tell me anything? i barely drive a car. am i going to be good? all right. i'm going to give it a shot.

>> we're in the melinium i've been told you can crash it. i hopped in the pilot's seat to take it for a spin. >> go up. >> i am. i am. i'm up. we made it. that was so stressful. we survived, high five. >> yeah. >> reporter: would you think the crown jewel is flying? >> for many it's something they've always dreamed about, going on board. and it's never been available to people full size, the whole thing for real. so when we actually brought it here to this outpost, that's enough for some people. >> i've done it probably a dozen times. i'm getting good. >> disney is the parent company of abc news, and bob ieger is the man behind the magic. >> we like to maintain the element of surprise. this is going to surprise

people. just in the scale and artistry and technological sophistication. >> this is the marketplace. this is awesome. i am going to go ahead and do a little shopping. we'll see you later. >> here they have every kind of light saber you can think of. >> the light saber. to build a light saber is an art form. >> and at a workshop you can design your very own. >> like the jedi who have come before you. >> personally, i'm into the accessories. >> a sheathe. now i look right. and what's the "star wars" land without a cantina just like in the canti where the ar wars" r party is at. i'm going to do the hyperdrive punch it, and the fuzzy

tauntaun. >> ever wanted to drink color milk like luke skywalker and the last jedi? they've got that too. there's only one way to end a day like this. i want to celebrate. for "nightline," i'm ginger zee. >> ginger was clearly having fun. our thanks to her. we'll be right back. g electric could lead to way cleaner teeth. she said, get the one inspired by dentists, with a round brush head. go pro with oral-b. oral-b's gentle rounded brush head removes more plaque along the gum line. for cleaner teeth and healthier gums. and unlike sonicare, oral-b is the first electric toothbrush brand accepted by the ada for its effectiveness and safety. what an amazing clean! i'll only use an oral-b! oral-b. brush like a pro. seaonly abreva cany to help sget rid of it in... ...as little as 2 1/2 days

when used at the first sign. abreva starts to work immediately to block the virus and protect healthy cells. abreva acts on it. so you can too. we believe nutrition is full of possibilities to improve your pet's life. we're redefining what nutrition can do. because the possibility of a longer life and a healthy life is the greatest possibility of all. purina pro plan. nutrition that performs. i went straight to ctca. after my mastectomy, i felt like part of my identity was being taken away. my team made me feel whole again. cancer treatment centers of america. appointments available now. cancer treatment centers of america. hey allergy muddlers... achoo! ...do your sneezes turn heads? try zyrtec... ...it starts working hard at hour one... and works twice as hard when you take it again the next day. zyrtec muddle no more.

♪ ♪ this is how driving should feel. the tech-advanced nissan leaf. the best selling electric vehicle of all time.

this is nissan intelligent mobility. ♪ tto harrison, the wine tcollection.. to craig, this rock. the redwoods to the redheads. the rainbows to the proud. i leave these things to my heirs, all 39 million of you, on one condition. that you do everything in your power to preserve and protect them. with love, california.

we'll have a full update on the mass shooting in virginia beach on good morning america. that's "nightline" for tonight. you can always catch our full episodes on hulu. have a great weekend. ♪ i've slain your dreaded dragon. for saving the kingdom what doth thou desire? my lord? hey good knight. where are you going? ♪ ♪ climbing up on solsbury hill ♪ grab your t salutations. coffee that is a cup above is always worth the quest. nespresso. tis all i desire.

did thou bring enough for the whole kingdom? george: nespresso, what else?