Rick Abath used to work the night shift at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. He would arrive around 11:30 p.m. and spend the night patrolling the halls of one of the finest museums in the state.
On the night shift, only two young watchmen were responsible for guarding the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art housed in the museum, including Rembrandt’s only seascape painting, and a painting by the Dutch artist Vermeer, only one of about 36 in existence.
The job was pretty uneventful. Even boring.
But on St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 1990, Abath’s usual routine was dramatically shattered. Two men dressed as Boston Police officers rang the doorbell. Going against protocol, Abath let them into the museum. Within minutes he and his partner were subdued and the two thieves had free reign over the museum.
There are about 40,000 illegally owned guns in California. They're owned by people from all walks of life who have been ordered to turn in their firearms for a number of different reasons, but they haven’t come forward. So special agents from California's Justice Department’s Bureau of Firearms are going after them to seize the weapons.
California tracks gun owners who have convictions using a database system that’s unique to the state. It’s helped them confiscate thousands of guns. CNN’s Randi Kaye saw firsthand how law enforcement uses the program to find and seize illegal firearms.
In the National Rife Association’s first statement after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the group’s executive vice president told America that the solution for a more secure country is more weapons. Wayne LaPierre announced, “The only way to stop a monster from killing our kids is to be personally involved and invested in a plan of absolute protection. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”
The idea of solving the problem by placing armed guards in every school sparked more heated debates about gun regulation. Those in favor of stricter gun laws rejected the proposal. Positive reaction came from pro-gun groups, and those supporters are pointing to an incident in San Antonio, Texas as evidence that arming the good guys works.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why the ICU is the best place to keep an eye on President H.W. Bush's condition.
Dana Bash says her sources say odds of a fiscal cliff dive remain high, while some say a last-minute bill could pass.
Toyota is paying a settlement to drivers who said their cars suddenly accelerated on their own.
Anderson Cooper presents a special hour at 8 and 10 p.m. ET tonight on the myriad of challenges facing U.S. veterans when they return from battle.
Drew Griffin has been investigating charities accused of shameful deception, including allegations that they collect money with a promise of helping wounded veterans, but never deliver. These questionable charities target and exploit generous donors who think they're making a difference in the lives of service members. In tonight's show you'll see what happens when Drew confronts the president of one organization.
Anderson Cooper presents a special hour at 8 p.m. ET tonight on the myriad of challenges facing U.S. veterans when they return from battle.
Drew Griffin has been investigating charities accused of shameful deception, including allegations that they collect money with a promise of helping wounded veterans, but never deliver. These questionable charities target and exploit generous donors who think they're making a difference in the lives of service members. In tonight's show you'll see what happens when Drew confronts the president of one organization.
CNN’s Randi Kaye has a report tonight on the ticking time bomb along parts of the Jersey Shore - natural gas lines broken after Superstorm Sandy and leaking gas.
The Mayor of Matoloking, New Jersey shut down the town today due to the danger. From Point Pleasant Beach to Seaside Park, and even further south on Long Beach Island, they’re in crisis mode dealing with the natural gas leak. In many of the towns there is a strong gas smell, and survivors fear their neighborhood might explode.
New Jersey Natural Gas has responded to 1,300 gas leaks. The work is dangerous and tedious. Randi will show you how crews have been digging in the sand in a desperate search for some of the trouble areas. Gas crews have started to turn the system off, but it must be done a certain way. Randi will have the latest developments.
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, there are some troubling questions about the death of young man two weeks ago.
21-year-old Chavis Carter died after being shot in the head while sitting in the back of a police car. Carter's arms were handcuffed behind his back.
Police say Carter pulled the trigger and killed himself.
"Quite frankly, I've seen some of our people in custody do some amazing things," Jonesboro Police Chief Michael Yates told CNN's Randi Kaye.
Carter's family doesn't buy it. His mother believes police killed her son.
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