phyllis mckay and bob riegal were from seattle.our of them were killed by the pirates. we are trying to get more information on specifically what happened and what went wrong out there. we are also trying to contact some of the family members this morning to get new information and keep you updated. as soon as we get that we will let you know. >>> a tragic ending there. 6:48 right now. a police dash cam caught an attack on a police officer. the western union ohio officer pulled over a truck with expired tacks early sunday. take a look at this here. the video shows the driver getting in the officer's face when he pulled out a taser. another man came in and attacked him from behind. the driver kicked the officer when he was down. when he stopped the officer managed to pull out his gun and actually hold the men there until backup arrived. the men now face assault charges. it was all caught on tape, there's the evidence. the officer suffered cuts and a broken nose. >>> we want to go back to the pirates story. we mentioned they had fami

>>pam: one of the four victims killed was phyllis mckay. this is her picture. the jets family here in the bay area and today attorneys spoke to reporters about how they're dealing with the loss. >> we are terribly distraught and devastated over this news. my aunt is a very smart an avid sailor. she was living her dream sailing around the world for this canal the third year. my grandmother when it's you all to no that the world as an empty place without my and your. she was beautiful, vivacious and live life to the fullest. i and was very adventurous. i want the media to portray her as somebody who did from a research and why they were in that area we don't know. she was not haphazardly italy ocean just doing loosely traveling around terry had >>pam: at 5:30 p.m. you will hear more from the family about what they were told by the u.s. government about the rescue effort. the details to say about these two teachers whose bodies were found in the waters near walnut creek on sunday area the--teenagers. kron 4, spoke with the principle of the high school where they w

that is where phyllis mckay's mother lives and crossland's grandmother lives. they will be coming there the next couple of days to share their grief. >> thank you. experts say the number of hijacked ships continues to rise. in 2010, they successfully hijacked 49 ships. that was up slightly from 2009. in what experts call the most alarming trend, the pirates are expanding their hunting grounds with some hijackings occurring closer to india. more sophisticated equipment and resources are considered a major factor tht rise of attacks. for more on this story, you can go to our website. we've posted more of the interview with the family of the victim. >>> grief counselors were on hand today. they were able to speak to students who wanted help coping with the weekend death of two students in a rafting accident. the best friends drowned saturday after taking an inflatable raft to a rain swoll swoll swollen drainage canal. >> they were great people. so giving, just great. >> i saw them all time around school. everyone knew who they were. >> then we checked the news and

phyllis mckay is the name of one of those hostages who was killed today. her mother lives her, her niece and a few other relatives. they said that it was her sense of adventure that pushed her to sail around the world, but they were shocked to learn this morning that it all ended in such an abrupt and horrifying way. >> my aunt is a very smart and avid sailor. she was living her dream, sailing around the world for this, now the third year. she enjoyed every port. >> reporter: back in 2008, phyllis mckay and her sailing partner left their hometown of seattle behind and started living their lives on the high seas. nina crossland described her 55-year-old aunt as a beautiful, vivacious woman who lived life to the fullest. unfortunately, the lives of everyone who was traveling on the yacht called quest, mckay, riggel and scott and jean adam from southern california were cut short. today the pirates shot and killed the entire group. the question many people are asking is how did the yacht end up in such dangerous waters, in an area that has become rife with pir

according to her blog, phyllis mckay has been on a three-year around the world sailing adventure, one that has taken her to the very waters right here in the bay. but right now she along with a friend and a couple that happen to be from california are somewhere off the coast of somalia held captive by pirates onboard a 58-foot long yacht called "the quest." mckay has been in touch with her mom who lives here in san francisco through e-mail. the last communication just before valentine's. she and her friend recently joined the couple in india for a trip to aman. she indicated they were aware of the problem with somali pirates but the skipper of their yacht, the man from california, had done research and thought they were going to be far off the shore, obviously that's not the case. she also has a niece who lives in oakley who indicated the family is very anxious to find out what is going to happen to them. last night a church in santa monica held a vigil for that couple from california praying for their safe return. >> we are broken hearted, of course. we have been in prayer, love and

phyllis mckay of seattle was sailing the world on a luxury yacht along with her partner and a san francisco couple. they were taken hostage. the pirates shot the four yesterday after firing a rocket-propelled grenade at a u.s. warship. they were the first killed since a wave of attacks began six years ago. secretary of state hillary clinton is calling an end to the attacks. >> chief of staff ron emanuel has a new job. he'll be chicago's next mayor. >> thank you, chicago, for this humbling victory. all i can say, you sure know how to make a guy feel at home. >> emanuel received 55% of the vote in yesterday's mayoral election, more than twice his nearest competitive and enough to avoid a runoff. he will succeed mayor richard daily. >> republicans do not win the mayor's race. so here's the guy that's going to fill that space there to tell us more about the forecast and the snow we may get. >> take a look outside, show you what's going on and what kind of chronological order, the big changes in the forecast. we have a little fog developing. some of that is moving across san francisco. we also h

phyllis mckay was sailing the world on a luxury yacht along with her partner and a southern california couple. on friday they were taken hostage. the pirates shot the four today after firing a rocket-propelled grenade at a u.s. warship. they were the first americans killed by somali pirates since the wave of attacks began six years ago. mckay's mother and niece lives here in the bay area. >> my aunt is a very smart and avid sailor. she was living her dream sailing around the world for this now the third year. >> secretary of state hillary clinton is condemning the murders and calling for more international cooperation in ending the chronic attacks. >>> and now to the violent showdown in libya. the united states issued an evacuation notice and chartered a ferry to get americans out on a first come, first served basis. earlier moammar qaddafi took to the air waves vowing to fight in the his last drop of blood. he urged supporters to go after the protesters calling them "gangs of rats." he said to fire on anyone and everyone calling it a masacre. they say nearly 300 people have been kille

also on board phyllis mckay and they were hijacked last friday.say a navy ship following the ship heard gunshots and took >>> up next, former governor mike huckabee is here live in our studio to talk about budget battles. and if he is running for the white house. this is the "early show" here on cbs. whoa! that leaves lots of pieces behind. that's why there's charmin ultra strong. than the ultra rippled brand, it's no wonder charmin ultra strong holds up better for a more dependable clean. fewer pieces left behind. business is looking better. it sure is. [ female announcer ] charmin ultra strong. enjoy the go. and for an extra-clean finish, try charmin freshmates. the uconnect touch system on the 2011 dodge journey controls the radio, media player, heated seats, climate control, navigation, phone and more. this means that if you call shotgun on a dodge journey, you've just inherited a lot of responsibility. now lease the new 2011 dodge journey mainstreet for $299 a month for well qualified lessees. >> ( beeping, beeping stops ) >> announcer: free

her aunt phyllis mckay did not take any unnecessary risks. >> my aunt is very careful. if this is something that was going to scare her, she would not do it. i think she prepared ahead to not be in this situation. this is not something she wanted to happen. >> reporter: gene and scott adams and phyllis and jean mckay were shot to death. >> our family is big, our family is close and we love her and we are devastated. >> reporter: it is unclear why the four sailors broke off from an armada of yachts last week. >> why they were in that area we don't know. but she was not half hazardly out in the ocean just doing losely traveling around. >> reporter: why the pirates killed the four hostages is still under investigation. one reason might be for a 150 year sentence that a pirate received last week. the number of pirates are becoming more violent. >> it's making the pirates a bit more desperate. >> reporter: of the 19 pirates involved four were killed the other 15 are in u.s. custody awaiting prosecution. rob roth, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> the u.s. state department today conde

. >> reporter: ignoring explicit warnings about pirates, two couples, jean and scott adam and phyllis mckay and bob riggle sailed alone across the indian ocean in their 58-foot yacht, "the quest." >> why they were in that area, we don't know. but she was not haphazardly out on the ocean just -- just doing what, you know, loosely traveling around. >> reporter: on friday, their yacht was boarded by 19 pirates who set a course for somalia. four u.s. navy ships shadowed the yacht, knowing if it ever reached land they would lose their best chance of rescuing the americans. >> we understood that if they got to shore it was going to be a really bad situation. we also understood that the navy was doing their best to prevent them from getting to shore. >> reporter: fbi hostage negotiators tried to bargain with the pirates. two of the pirates actually were brought aboard the destroyer "sterett" for face-to-face talks. then without warning -- >> at 8:00 this morning local time a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from "the quest" by the pirates towards the "sterett". immediately thereafter gunfire als

on board are the owners californians scott and jean adams and phyllis mckay and bob riggle of seattle. plus an unknown number of pirates. u.s. officials hope to convince them to surrender without violence. still ahead on the cbs news, wildest hobby ever? a suburban mom may have locked up the title. but up next, the battle in wisconsin, state workers against the state government. you've bel with heart-related chest pain or a heart attack known as acs, you may not want to face the fact that you're at greater risk of a heart attack or stroke. plavix helps protect people with acs against heart attack or stroke: people like you. it's one of the most researched prescription medicines. goes beyond what they do alone by helping to keep blood platelets from sticking and forming dangerous clots. plavix. protection against heart attack or stroke in people with acs. [ female announcer ] plavix is not for everyone. certain genetic factors and some medicines such as prilosec reduce the effect of plavix leaving you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. your doctor may use genetic tests to det

experts say scott and jean adams, phyllis mckay and bob riggle are taken to somali territory it will be much harder to get them to safety. >> ideally for the united states, they'll intercept this ship, there will be something of a military standoff, hostage negotiation, but there are not a lot of very good options. >> members of the adams' church in california pray for them at sunday services. >>> raymond davis, the american being held in pakistan on murder charges, is a cia agent. that according to a british newspaper report. the u.s. is trying to get davis released saying he has diplomatic immunity as an american consulate official. davis claims he was defending himself from an attempted robbery when he shot two men dead last month. one police official tells the guardian newspaper that the shooting goes, quote, way beyond self-defense. >>> just ahead on the "morning news," a controversial gun bill is one step closer to becoming law in texas. >>> plus check your mailbox. invitations for prince william's royal wedding have been mailed out. this is the "cbs morning news." , it seems l

we should mention that phyllis mckay's mother and niece is from the bay area. again, devastating news to report, four hostages, all americans shot dead -- dead by their pirates. the officials had a briefing to talk about the details about how this unfolded but not the news they wanted to hear this morning. >> remind us why there's so much activity of piracy in this part of the world? >> reporter: well, the coast of soma yaw is known -- somalia is known for a lot of activity. somalia is a country that has not really seen official leadership so that's why poverty and piracy is running rampant. that's why -- wanting to have a better lifestyle for economic factors as well. that's why these caught remembers so dangerous. i should mention that u.s. officials this morning in their briefing to reporters said this is the deadliest piracy attack on american. >> thank you, sandra endo. >> yeah. >>> 8:009. let's go to -- 8:09. let's go to sal. it's getting slow, as you drive from the macarthur maze to pinole. traffic is very, very slow there. also slow still in concord --

> reporter: while churchgoers pray for scott and jean adams of california and sailing partners phyllis mckay and bob riggle from seattle, their quick return isn't likely if they reach the dangerous shores of somalia where they would be the only americans among 660 sailors held for ransom by pirate gangs. >> they're staring down the barrels of loaded guns held by youths with whom they cannot communicate and they're just praying that the ransom is going to get paid and they have no idea whether they're going to live or die. >> reporter: john burnett was once himself beaten and robbed by pirates. he says these sailors already have several strikes against them from their yacht, symbol of western wealth and they're missionaries. they're only worth something to the pirates alive. jeremy hubbard, abc news, new york. >>> well, just when we thought we finally received a break from winter weather, a fierce snowstorm is stretching from montana to michigan and it's forced the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights. it's a full-blown blizzard in minnesota where drivers are now struggling to get around i

bob riggle and phyllis mckay have family in the bay area.today a southern california church held a prayer service for them. >> our prayers are with them. we hope the best for them. looking for a miracle i guess. hoping to hear some good news. we're on pins and needles here. >> a warship is shadowing the yacht as it heads to somalia. >>> the one thing you should not do before undergoing a certain type of surgery, that according to new research from stanford. >>> also the situation that has some bloggers suggesting that apple may be on the verge of a big announcement. >>> and it's catching on, how some san francisco workers are stuffing a virtual suggestion box thanks to a program that started in the east bay. adam: we need a good night's sleep. kim: which means a little heat to keep us warm. and a good dose of support for my back. some over the top comfort couldn't hurt. and our perfect dream factory's been built. i'm feeling sleepy already. nighty night. oh yes hi. can you put my grandma on the phone please? thanks. excuse me a sec. another

a friend of the adams said the two other americans were robert rigel and phyllis mckay from seattle.ast year 49 americans were hijacked from pirates and a total of 28 vessels and 638 hostages are still being held for ransom. this, in spite of stepped up patrolled by the u.s. fifth fleet and the navies of other country. on wednesday this convicted somali pirate was sentenced to almost 34 years in a u.s. prison for his role in the hijacking of the freighter "maersk alabama" in 2009. last november a retired british couple were released after being held by somali pirates for 388 days. >> i'm happy to be alive. >> reporter: and, now, friends of scott and jean adam are praying for their rescue for release. for "today," george lewis, nbc news, los angeles. >> for more insight on the hijacking, we're joined by maritime security analyst. >> good morning. >> this is notorious for pirate activi activity. who are these modern-day pirates? >> what you had when this really started to explode and scale in 2008 is you had a lot of former fishermen who had their industry, essentially destroyed by ill

>>reporter: in south san francisco a relative of phyllis mckay a seattle woman killed by pirates offf somalia, spoke out to the media about her family's loss. >> we're terribly distraught and devastated over this. she was beautiful and vivacious. she lived life to the fullest. she was living her dream, sailing around the world. the world as an empty place without light and here's >>. bring kelly kron 4 news. >>pam: and news around today, suspects in daly city standoff has been identified. it's joseph and his girlfriend were arrested after six hours standoff. it started when officers nearby heard gunshots. this but the couple got back into the hall. it refused to cooperate with officers trade and the standoff. they're taken into custody and booked on one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling in numerous counts of possession of illegal an unregistered weapons. police are searching for this convicted sex offender. this is michael maze he failed to register as a sex offender as is required by law. his of original offense involved a minor under the age of 14. childrens hospital of

phyllis mckay is also onboard. the yacht was overtaken by pirates on friday.t know how the four americans are doing. >>> today parents, students and teachers in the mount diablo district will find out the future of their schools. earlier this month trustees agreed to close glen brooke middle and holbrooke elementary schools in concord. last week they weighed in on closing either westwood elementary or silverwood elementary in concord to save $1.5 million. tonight's meeting is at 7:30 at the monte gardens elementary in concord. >>> time now is 5:36. we want to check in with christina. it is cold this morning. this could be one of the warm days if we get a little snow later on. >> yeah, i don't want to overdo it. i don't want to blow it out of proportion, but snow levels falling to 500 feet. snow on the valley floor, not out of the question. in fact, we are actually going to forecast snow on the valley floor in places like livermore where your elevation is close to 400 feet. but that's not until early saturday morning. we have a few days to forecast in between n

phyllis mckay has been on a three-year around the world voyage by yacht. one that has taken her through the very waters here off the bay of san francisco. but now she, her friend and another couple who happen to be from california are stuck somewhere off the coast of somalia held captive by pirates onboard a 58-foot long yacht called "the quest." it is a ship that belongs to that couple from california. mckay and her friend joined the couple in india and were on their way to aman when seized last week. mckay's niece who lives in oakley says the family is very anxious, very concerned about her safety. and in an e-mail just before valentine's to her mother who lives here in san francisco, mckay indicated she was aware of the problem off pirates off the coast of somalia, but the skipper had done research and should be sailing far enough offshore to be okay. unfortunately that turned out not to be the case. last night a church in santa monica held a vigil for the couple from california praying for their safe return. >> we are broken hearted, of course. all day

morning to you, laura. >> reporter: just before valentine's her mom who lives here in san francisco, phyllis mckay of the pirates off the somali coast, but the skipper on the boat was sure they would be sailing far enough offshore. unfortunately, that was not the case. pirates captured mckay and another couple that were from california and are holding them hostage onboard "the quest." that's the yacht that belongs to the california couple. the u.s. navy warship is shadowing "the quest" in an attempt to rescue the four americans, but "the quest is also heading to the somali shore. if it does, the attempt becomes much more unlikely if not impossible. bob redell for "today in the bay." >> we are hoping for the best outcome there. thank you, bob. >>> we'll check the forecast right now with christina. a cold start to the day. >> yes, it is so cold out there. you will probably find a layer of frost on your windshield if you are parking outside in an unprotected area. we have light scattered showers coming down, but the showers are thinning out and are also moving to the north. so right now we are relati

the hostages scott and jean adam and phyllis mckay and bob riggle. attempts were made to revive them but all died of their wounds. in the brief gun battle with the pirates two of the pirates were killed and 13 others were captured. you know, it's interesting because over the last several days there was some optimism among military officials that negotiations were going fairly well and that the pirates may eventually release the hostages unharmed, but, unfortunately, it came to this tragic end this morning, meredith. >> mick, is there any indication as to why the pirates decided that now was the time to shoot these four americans? >> reporter: we haven't heard yet and we expect to get the details later today, but over the past couple of days the military and those fbi negotiators made it clear to the pirates onboard that they would not be allowed to reach shore in somalia. that could have been one of the factors there. other than that, there is no indication yet as to what prompted it. military officials insist this operation was not a rescue mission,

also being held, two crew members, phyllis mckay and bob riggle. to be heading for the pirate coast of somalia. >> typically they're after a larger ship, because they're wanting the vessel to ransom back to the company that owns the vessel. >> reporter: the u.s. navy is reportedly shadowing the yacht, and may be trying to negotiate with the pirates. hoping they give up or drop their guard, allowing a rescue by other means. the adams' website details how they've been sailing with a larger group, hoping for the safety of numbers. but in explikbly and at great risk, they split off on their own, into an area where bibles and prayers were of little help. >> i think ideally for the united states they'll intercept this ship, there will be something of a military standoff, hostage negotiation at sea. but there are not a lot of very good options. >> reporter: the incident comes in the same week an american court sentenced a somali pirate to 33 years in prison for another hijack attempt. pirates are currently holding 30 ships, and more than 660 hostages. "th

americans killed were scott and jean adam of southern california and two friends from seattle, phyllis mckay and bob riggle. >> bob was extremely conservative as a sailor. the natural reaction for a lot of people is to think that they were naive or inexperienced or made poor decisions and that's not who they were. >> reporter: why did the pirates suddenly open fire? military officials insist navy seals made no attempt to rescue the hostages which could have provoked the pirates. >> the intent had been that this would be a negotiated process and not go into a point where we actually had gunfire. >> reporter: and why did the four americans attempt to navigate pirate alley on their own. to scott adams' friend richard peace it is still a mystery. >> he was an experienced sailor, deeply aware of piracy. it's very odd. >> reporter: now unfortunately we may never know. military and fbi investigators are trying to piece together what happened aboard the yacht. it's likely that the 15 pirates now in custody will end up here in the u.s. to face trial, ann. >> a very sad story. jim miklaszewski, thank