eastern. i'll see you there. that's it's movnd, july 18th, coming up on "early today," in batting rouge, officials are learning more about the man behind the latest targeted shooting of law enforce meant that left three dead and three injured. >> the nation has to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement. and that and security beefed up in cleveland. and an open carry law that remains in place. plus, new information into the bastille day attack be more news for drivers hitting the road and much more. as we kick off of a busy week, "early today" begins right now. good morning, everybody. thank you for joining us, i'm betty in that. we are tracking

baton rouge where there officers were killed and three others injured. the governor called for calm during the recent state of violence. >> today has been a very tough day in baton rouge and in louisiana and in the country. an unabsolutely unspeakable lane ous act near baton rouge claimed the life of two police officers, one sheriff's deputy and injured three others one of whom right now as we speak is absolutely fighting for his life. it's unjustified. and it's unjustifiable. the violence, the hatred just has to stop. >> law enforcement officials identified the gunman as gavin long of kansas city. they believe he acted alone. all agencies are in baton rouge assisting with the investigation as

country react to the news, all officers have to travel in twos. >> five days ago i travelled to dallas for the memorial services of the officers who were slain there. i said that killer would fought be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other, nor will today's killer. it remains up to us to make sure that they fail. that decision is all of ours. the decision to make sure our best thoughts are reflected across america, not our worst, but the thoughts. we have our divisions and they are not new. >> the shooting comes on the heels of the fatal accident on police in dallas and the killing of alton sterling in baton rouge less than two weeks ago. nbc's sarah dallof joins us w

sarah, what can you tell us about that shooter and the investigation. >> reporter: yes, information, betty, there's shock and grief in baton rouge when we learn more about those killed and those treated in the hospital behind me. now, 45-year-old brad guerarafo served for more than a decade. and matthew gerald and mont tremendously jackson the father of a young son and arecently posted this. please don't let hate affect your heart. the city must and will get better. any protesters, friends or families if you see me and want a hug or say a prayer, i've got you. officials say the lone gunman was gavin long, a former marine out of

he was shot dead in that battle with authorities. law enforcement is looking at if you may have been associated with any outside groups, plus any anti-government group, sovereign citizens, betty, the gunman's believe that local police have no authority. and in cleveland, cleveland police are trying to prevent the open carry law during the event. >> reporter: on the eve of the convention, the news of that in baton rouge spread fast. the head of the cleveland police union is calling on the governor to declare a state of emergency and temporarily suspend ohio's open carry law. >> leadership needs to be something to protect the men and women of the police department and the citizens out here. >> reporter: and the city's open carry, one gun owner hopes to make a point

rifle. >> this to make people aware that there are good people out here. i'm not a bad person. >> reporter: city police are already altering the security plan following the five killings in dallas. >> everybody who wears a batch now is a target. >> reporter: the shootings are just the latest in a string of incidents in the last year that have shaped cleveland's security. including multiple violent protests at trump rallies. and just a few days ago the hour rink attack in nice, france. the leading presidential candidates are responding to the news out of baton rouge. hillary clinton releasing a state saying there is no justification for violence or hate, for attacks on men and women who put their lives on the line every day in service for our families and communities. and donald trump tweeting this, our country is totally divided and down enemies are watching. we are not looking go

looking tough. the republican national convention kicks off a few days after trump added indiana governor mike pence on his ticket. both men sat down with "60 minutes" last night where the divisions were on full display. >> you went to iraq but that was handled so badly. and that was a war, by the way that was a bar that was -- because iraq did not knock down -- but in -- >> i don't care. >> what do you mean you don't care? >> called for a ban of muslim entering the u.s. that are nonessential. do you think you went too far? >> you could say yes. >> our latest nbc news/"wall street journal"

60, of americans say they have unfavorable opinion of the billionaire candidate. even republicans are weary of trump with nearly 80% saying the gop is somewhat or not unified behind him. in fact, only 38% of republicans say they're satisfied with trump. more more, we're joins by nbc's tracie potts in cleveland. tracie, good morning. we have forward that melania will be the headline speaker tonight. what are you hearing? >> yes she's one of the headline speakers tonight, and former mayor rudy giuliani is going to be speaking tonight. we have a full convention program, we can see what the layout is. the theme for today is, make america safe again, taking after that donald trump making america great again. today, they're talking about

immigration and some of the speakers will affect that. of course, isis and the fight on terror and attack on the united states. we've heard that the shootings, the muslim and police shootings including yesterday in louisiana are going to be mentioned tonight as well. so, that's really the program for tonight. today, as they open this afternoon, be on the lookout for a bit of controversy, although we're told that this is probably not going to pass. but they're going to be establishing the convention, adopting the platform for the convention. and that stop trump group still wants to make a last-ditch effort to allow delegates to vote their conscience, as opposed for vote for trump. a third american has been confirmed on thursday's terror attack in nice trans. 20-year-old berkeley student

study ago broad and missing since the truck attack. meanwhile, there are new details about the man who carried out that horrific attack. here's nbc. >> reporter: two more arrests, french police now questioning six people for mass murder. they released the killer's ex-wife without charge. they now say mohamed lehouaiej rehearsed his attack twice. planning the same rent atruck of the same road he took thursday night when he plowed into crowds of people. survivors including americans still in shock. >> the terror of what was going to happen. the shock. >> and the people were just lying there like rag dolls. >> he was going totally

intentionally, high speed, ramming on the people. >> reporter: of the nearly 300 people mohamed lehouaiej hit on this road, 18 are still on life support. >> tragic. nbc's bill neal reporting there. we do want to talk about storms causing dangerous flash flooding and stranding numerous vehicles. check out this dramatic video from china. a massive landslide comes crashing down on houses. nbc meteorologist bill karins is here with your monday morning forecast. a little hot? >> a little hot, right? some severe storms mixed in. yeah, the hot forecast continues. we are tracking really strong storms, ohio and cleveland, one of the spots that's going to get really strong storms in the next four or five hours. 94 in atlanta, 96 in d.c. and the heat is going to

as we go throughout the week. now, for tomorrow, we will get a little reeve. great lakes, ohio valley and north east, don't worry, your heat will return towards the end of the week. you're used to it by now, doesn't mean you like it, but scattered storms so far in southeast. watch out areas of ohio early today, then this afternoon through areas in the northeast, we'll be tracking severe storms. that's your national weather, now here's a closer look at your day ahead a. and there's the map that kind of pinpoints all of it from indianapolis, from columbus, to buffalo, right up through northern and central new york. i mentioned the heat. typically, it's 95 to 100 in texas anyway. it's just the heat index is even worse. as we go throughout this week, we'll watch the heat index building in the country. some areas will feel like 115. >> oh, gee. thank you. the pokemon craze almost getting a couple players killed. we'll tell you about that. plus desperate. tens o

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welcome back, everybody. turkey remains the site of both mass celebration and mourning today. large crowds healeded the president's call over the weekend to continue to protest against friday's military coup attempt. nearly 6,000 have been detained. 290 killed in the clashes. among those carrying the coffin was the turkish president. in venezuela, thousands cross to buy food and medicine. some even drove through the night in caravans to get to the border. three, two, one main engine up and running and lift just of the falcon to the space station. >> that

successful launch the dragon cargo ship is expected to deliver nearly 5,000 pounds of cargo to the international space station. the rocket booster successfully landed back on land. and pokemon go took another dangerous turn toward the weekend. authorities say a man fired shots at two late-night pokemon players outside his home. the teens were able to speed away without injury. the secret life of pets reigned at the box office while ghost busters. bringing in $46 million and had the biggest opening for a live action comedy so far this year. and graas prices are at the lowest price 2004. 14 cents lower than last month. 52 cents lower than last year. just ahead, could all russian athletes be banned from the summer olyic

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this morning on "today," al sits down with television icon norman lear for specials with living legends.

the day at the british open, phil mickelson age 46 become trying to become the oldest to win the cup. and then tying the record with a 63. simpson finished with a 20 under to 64 beating mickelson. controversy crewing in the olympics just 18 days before the start of the summer games. the russians are concerned. later today a report will be issued that may reveal evidence that state-sponsored doping throughout russian sports. to nascar and the case for the sprint cup, matt kenseth managed to take the win from tony stewart. is this kenseth's second win of the season. congrats to him. just ahead, it's full steam ahead to the republican national convention. we'll show you john oliver's unconventional endorsement. you're watching "early today."

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thanked fans in the hollywood reporter speaking of their only child, they wrote, you would be surprised at how many hearts and souls you touchthank you very much. an emotional pitbull received his star on the hollywood rock 'n' roll hall of fame friday. he's the first cuban-american and has sold 16 albums in 15 countries. that's a lot to be thankful for. and this week as the republican national convention began, john oliver made endorsements of his own. >> i officially endorse you. you are charming. interesting -- like this golf and dog. and a human from earth. you both endorsed. and finally, i'd like to endorse pushing tin in

in the middle of an overcast sunday afternoon, pushing tin will push you [ bleep ] -- endorsed. officially endorsed. >> we all want an endorsement about him. >> i have done that before. i've actually gone to movies to actually take a nap and relax. >> my husband does that all the time. he get please to the movies and i'm the only one watching the movie. >> and going to it a kids' movie. half sleep. so "ghost busters" did really well? >> i remember the reviews were harsh. >> i personally thought it wasn't going to do that. one of our producers saw it and said it was so funny. better than the first. >> well, you can't do that. >> he said there was more humor in this one. that was interesting. all right. i'm betty nguyen and this is "early today." t'd be back before i even got to class.

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ing . officers gunned down. an all-too-familiar national issue as police in baton rouge mourn their own and investigators find out more about the man they say is responsible. stepping up security. major safety concerns as the gop convention begins in cleveland. a major crash shuts down a busy parkway ahead of the morning commute. what investigators are now revealing as first responders rush to the scene. good morning, i'm aaron gilchrist. >> and i'm eun yang. >> and chuck bell is standing by. >> monday off to a humid start this morning. not much

cover out there first thing. temperatures will be rising very quickly once we get the sun up and there will be a very good chance you're going to have a cooling thunderstorm today. today's rain chances stand at 60%. storm chances falling a bit tomorrow toward the middle of the week. if you are wanting rain for your outdoor garden, today is probably your best chance for the week. it's a mild start. we're already 78 degrees and we'll be well up into the 80s well before noon. in fact, we're likely to be 90 degrees by lunchtime. let's go over to jack taylor at wtop, good morning. >> chuck, good morning. we've got a problem along suitland parkway. it remains locked this morning between alabama avenue and branch avenue. you'll find yourself rerouted nsh police direction. this could cost you some time this morning. in virginia, going 5, going southbound. authorities remain on scene. stay left to get by. it is not causing any kind of slow down and nort

is unaffected. back to you. angie goff here at the live desk. breaking news on the roadways. westbound, suitland parkway, near the metro station, all lanes are closed because of an accident. as i mentioned, this is in the temple hills area, very close to the d.c. line. we know that there's a lot of emergency response on the scene as you take a look at new video into the newsroom. we're working to find out if anybody was hurt. when the road will reopen if you are driving early this morning, we know westbound is being diverted on to branch avenue. we're following the developing story out of baton rouge. three law enforcement officers shot and killed responding to a call yesterday. here's what we're learning about the men killed. 32-year-old montrell jackson had been a cop for ten years. his family called him a gentle

jien. 41-year-old matthew gerald had been on the force less than a year and brad garafola was 45 years old. bullets started flying when the officers were called to a gas station less than a mile from police headquarters. >> shots fired! officer down! shots fired! >> now the original call qam -- came in yesterday afternoon for reports of a man with an assault rifle. the officers were ambush they arrived. the suspect was killed. the shooting comes ten days after dallas police officers were killed by a sniper. turning now to the investigation into the gunman. police identified as 29-year-old gavin long from kansas city. yesterday was his 29th birthday. long served as a sergeant in the

marine corps and was deployed to iraq. his motives for the shooting are still unclear. police in missouri raided his home looking for clues. police are investigating whether anyone helped him to carry out the attack. two people were detained yesterday but had been released. president obama addressed the shooting from the white house calling it an attack on every american. we as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement. >> vice president joe biden echoed the president's statement. the presidential candidates weighed in on the shooting. hillary clinton released a statement condemning the shooting and said there is no justification for violence. meanwhile, donald trump blamed lack of leadership for the