the algerian government is in the middle of an operation to free house tajes held in a compound. >> 10 were held but five are safe. the status of the others is unclear. the rescue operation is still far from over. >> reporter: the algerian military as attacked a gas facility where terrorists are holding people including americans. there has been casualties but they won't confirm. >> i think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead. >> reporter: secretary of state hillary clinton has been in contact with the algerian prime minister but the white house would not elaborate. >> we are in communication with the algerian government and the president is being regularly updated. >> reporter: the trefts first attacked a bus carrying international workers. the hostages were moved on to the compound. defense secretary leon panetta tells abc2 news, the situation has been chaotic. >> americans ought to be assured that we will take all necessary and proper steps to deal with this situation. >> reporter: intelligence officials believe this man is behind the attack, also know

and vice president joe biden talks about the possibility of tajing on hillary clinton in the 2016 presidential race. a >>> and it sounded beautiful but was it live? controversy over beyonce's rendition of the national anthem. i'm wolf blitzer. you're in "the situation room." >>> and the breaking news continues here in cnn. we're covering the country's latest multiple shooting incident on a college campus. three people, at least two of them were students caught in a cross fire. a fourth person suffered a heart attack during the shooting. it all happened near houston, texas, on the north harris campus of lone star college. that's a community college in texas. cnn's ed lavandera has the latest. ed, what are you hearing? >> reporter: this shooting appears to be a situation that started off as an altercation in one of the buildings between two people. one of those firing shots was wounded and is now in custody. two people were caught in the crossfire and those people were wounded and then there was a fourth person that in all of this may lay had a heart attack. that person is being treated as well.

at least 23 host tajes killed including one american. two americans are still missing this morning.litants. president obama said in a statement that thiscy tack is another reminder of the threat posed by al-qaeda and other violent extremist groups in north africa. the president says he will work closely with algeria to make sure it doesn't happen again. >> mark strom senior the 57-year-old married man there you see accused of bank rolling the operation. speak out for the first time. he denies knowing anything about the so-called brothel but he admits to cosigning a loan for the studio and other things. >> we did have intimate moments. but it is not what i would consider roman take. >> there was no candle light apparently. he denies paying for service is from wright. her alleged client list included 150 men, some well known around town. >> that is embarrassing. >> it is. >> katie perry bringing fireworks to the kids inaugural concert last night in washington. ♪ >> the star studded event cohosted by first lady michelle obama and joe biden honored america's military families. >> to ame