hear from alabama state representative steve clouse. he's been spending time with the family of the 6-year-old being held hostage in that underground bunker. >>> police are searching for a 70-year-old man they say is responsible for a deadly shooting in phoenix. the suspect, arthur douglas harmon was appear tending a meeting at a law office when he allegedly opened fire. a 48-year-old man was killed, two others were wounded in that attack. harmon took off in a 2013 kia optima and he then opened fire on a witness who tried to follow him. >>> a senate hearing on guns opened with pretty powerful words from former arizona representative gabrielle giffords. it was two years since giffords was shot in the head at a political event in tucson. she was there yesterday to urge congress to do something about gun violence. let's listen. >> you must act. be bold, be courageous. americans counting on you.

alabama state representative steve clouse and state senator hari harri-ann smith have spoken about the hostage. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> we know this little boy is named ethan, about to turn 6 in a few weeks. i know you've been speaking to the family, how are they holding up? >> right now, savannah, they're holding on by a thread. the whole community, the whole county is coming together. we had five prayer vigils last night around the county. people are hopeful we can bring this to a successful end. at the same time, we had the family of the slain bus driver, whose lives have been devastated. our gratitude needs to go out to him for protecting all these other children. he started the day as a school bus driver and he ended as a hero. >> senator smith, let me ask you about this medical condition we understand ethan has. i understand there's been some medication that's been given to him. is it the sort of condition that might be even more serious if he

. >> steve clouse is with the alabama state legislature joining us this morning. thank you for your time. i know you're super busy this morning so we truly appreciate it. >> thank you. >> we'll continue to watch the story for you as it unfolds, as this hostage situation continues. >>> i want to turn now to the mass shooting in newtown, connecticut, sparking a national debate on gun control. it seems to be raging on from congress to town halls to people discussing it every day. yesterday that mass shooting in phoenix was unfolding even as the senate tried to find a solution to end the violence. so how did that go? was there any sense of agreement? was there a tenor of, you know, we might be able to work together to do something in this meeting? >> reporter: you know, soledad, there was not a ton of agreement when we saw that hearing yesterday. democrats are emphasizing gun control solutions. republicans were saying there are existing laws that are flawed and not well enforced and they say the mental health system is a wreck and it's all a sign of just how difficult

we'll be talking, george, in just a little bit to steve clouse, the legislator who has been spending a lot of time with the family. we'll talk to him and get more of an update if we can on not just the story but also how that family is doing this morning. >>> we also want to talk about that other big story, the massive 1,000-mile-long storm system that's now moved through the eastern u.s. tornados, strong winds, flooding, all pummelling the eastern half of the country. one of the hardest-hit spots was adairsville, georgia, 60 miles north of atlanta. one person there died as did a man in pntennessee. let's get right to miguel marquez. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: good morning there, soledad. the person who died here in adairsville died fairly close to where we were standing right now. he was in a manufactured home and a tree killed him. this storm packed a thousand-mile punch. >> we could see circulation in the clouds. >> reporter: a reporter from atlanta affiliate wsb caught one twister as it touched down. >> slashing toward i-75. again, a tornado -- >> reporter: in its path, u

we did hear from representative steve clouse. he has met with the family.alked to their sorngs but they gave the boy coloring books and medication that the boy needs. he is being fed and he is able to watch television in the bunker. he has been in there since 4:00 yesterday afternoon, when the suspect snatched him off his school bus and killed the bus driver, right before his eyes. we are learning a little bit more about the suspect in this case. we know that neighbors say he's really been a menace in the neighborhood and killed a number of dogs, allegedly. he has been building the bunker at all hours of the night for the past year or two. we would walk around at night with a shotgun and make threatening comments to the neighbors. all of those neighbors, about 20 homes, have been evacuated. they have no idea whether they can return. the suspect was supposed to be in court today because he was facing menacing charges because of the threatening comments he had made with some of the neighbors. >> elizabeth, there is an 11:00 press here, you are going to be mon