ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Dec. 14 2025

David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, America's Most Watched Newscast, now streaming same day with all the breaking news of the day on Disney+. Most Watched, Most Trusted, now on Disney+, every night.

Tonight, multiple deadly attacks spanning the globe. Students shot at an elite American university. The Jewish community targeted in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah. and Trump vows retaliation after American soldiers were killed in an attack in Syria. We begin at Brown University, where gunmen opened fire on students studying for final exams. School buildings locked down, students sheltering

in place, piling up chairs and tables against doors, hundreds of officers rushing to the scene. Police released footage of who they believe may be a person of interest. And tonight, one man in his twenties is detained. Law enforcement sources say he's from Wisconsin. How they tracked him down. We speak with the teaching assistant who saw panic in his students eyes and what he saw when he came face to face with the gunman team coverage with Whit

Johnson and Pierre Thomas. Chaos in Sydney, Australia. More than a dozen people killed, hundreds seen running for their lives as shots rang out at the iconic Bondi Beach. What we've learned about the suspects,

a father and son accused of targeting a Hanukkah celebration. Plus the remarkable moment when a bystander heroically confronted one of the two gunmen, wrestling the weapon from his hands and suffering gunshot wounds. Tonight, security has increased at synagogues throughout this country. Also tonight, the dangerous blast of Arctic air and the biggest December snowfall in New

York City and Philadelphia in seven years. Highway spin-outs, flight cancellations and ground stops ordered at several major airports. Right behind it, a blast of brutal cold. Our weather team times it all out. U.S. military jets fly over Syria. Two American soldiers from Iowa and their interpreter dead after an ISIS attack.

President Trump promises to inflict significant damage on those responsible. The frightening moments after United Airlines jet lost power in one engine during takeoff in Virginia. The jet forced to dump fuel on its harrowing trip back to the airport. Plus, late word, a jet blue plane narrowly avoided a collision with a U.S. military aircraft over the Caribbean. ESPN reports the University of Michigan is now investigating its entire athletic department just days after firing its head football coach who was later charged with felony home invasion and other counts.

History is made as the Heisman Trophy is awarded. And America Strong tonight as beloved entertainer Dick Van Dyke turns 100. He shares one of his secrets to a long life. Good evening everyone thanks so much for joining us on this busy Sunday I'm Lindsay Davis. We begin tonight with breaking news in two horrific mass shootings one on the campus of Brown University in Providence Rhode Island

and another on Australia's iconic Bondi Beach. At Brown University, terrified students were seen running from gunfire as others barricaded themselves inside classrooms. Two students were killed and nine others injured. Police released footage of who they believe may be a person of interest. Authorities detaining a man in his 20s hours later, and we want to warn you that some images may be disturbing. Overseas in Sydney, Australia, this man is being hailed a hero for wrestling the gun

away from one of the alleged attackers the Jewish community targeted on the first night of Hanukkah. The victims of that attack were honored tonight at the National Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. We'll have more on that attack in a moment, but first, ABC's Whit Johnson reports from the scene on Brown University's campus.

Tonight, a person of interest has been detained after a deadly mass shooting on the campus of Brown University as students were studying for final exams.

We have somebody at the police station, a person of interest, and we're going to continue

to build that case in order to be able to charge that person.

More than 400 law enforcement officers, including the FBI and ATF, swarming the scene. Investigators releasing these images of who they believe may be the shooter in dark clothing, calmly walking the streets of Providence. Hours later, a man detained nearly 20 miles away. Sources say two weapons recovered. In front of the Sciences Library on the Meaning Walk for a male shot in the back. The first 911 calls coming in shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday. Police say a gunman entered

the Barris and Hawley Engineering Building and opened fire on the first floor. The doors of the building unlocked because of final exams.

We heard commotion outside the door of what sounded like students screaming and the sound of gunshots. Around five seconds or so later, we see a gunman walking on the left-hand side.

Senior Joseph Aduro was leading an economic study session with around 60 other students

when he says a masked man entered the lecture hall armed with a large gun. He entered the room and you could just see the panic in all the students eyes. I was standing in the front so as soon as he walked in he immediately saw me and I immediately saw him and then I looked to my right and I see a bunch of students running down the stairs, running out the door, jumping on the ground, just whatever it takes to stay alive.

When you made eye contact with him,

what did your mind tell you in terms of what was happening in that moment?

When I saw him, I saw a gun. The gun was so big and long that I genuinely thought, like, okay, this is the end of the road for me.

How soon did he start shooting after he entered the room?

He just started shooting right away.

There was no hesitation. Students shot around him, Oduro guiding others to hide behind a desk, calling police and sending these text messages to his family.

I said, I love you all. I love you all. There's an active shooter. Please pray. And then I texted my parents. Oh, my goodness. He's in the room. God, I'm so scared

across the campus. Terrified students receiving cell phone alerts, telling them to lock doors, silence phones, stay hidden. Students piling tables and chairs against doors, barricading themselves inside classrooms. Police rushing to the engineering building, but they say the suspect had already fled through the side of the complex. President Trump monitoring from the White House.

I've been fully briefed on the Brown University situation, what a terrible thing it is. And all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly

hurt. Brown University and the surrounding area locked down for hours as police searched for the killer.

Police!

Police!

Providence Police!

Hands, hands, hands!

Heavily armed officers evacuating students.

Just keep your hands up for us.

O'Douril helping to carry a woman shot in both of her legs to safety. At least two students killed, nine others injured. Do you believe most of those students were in your classroom?

I think all of them were in my classroom.

The tragedy unfolding right before the holidays. Tonight, a Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony turning into a vigil for a grieving community.

I think the most important thing that we can do is just be there for each other. We just have to continue to be strong because once we bow our heads down and we just give up, we let the killer win.

And Lindsay, tonight Brown University has canceled all remaining classes and finals for the semester.

Eight students still remain in the hospital, where most are in critical but stable condition. One student is critical.

Lindsay, we are hoping they will all recover with. Thank you. Let's get right to ABC's chief justice correspondent, Pierre Thomas, for more on that person of interest here. What more are you learning tonight?

Well, law enforcement sources are describing the person of interest as a man in his mid-20s from Wisconsin. Tonight, search warrants are being executed, and a deep dive into the man's background are underway. One of the key moments in the manhunt came after a witness described a gun with a distinctive characteristic seen at the attack.

Sources say they recovered a gun fitting that description, along with an additional firearm when the person of interest was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island. Authorities are investigating whether the man may have ties to Brown University, and there's a heavy emphasis tonight to continue to canvass the area around the campus for additional footage from cell phones and cameras.

And Pierre, tell us about the threat environment both here at home and around the world.

Well, FBI and Homeland Security officials have been warning that the holidays are a time when law enforcement should be especially on guard. A joint intelligence bulletin issued on November 26th flatly states there's a heightened threat of violence from potential attackers, including so-called lone wolves,

throughout the winter holidays. Today, cities including D.C. and New York are stepping up security for the first night of Hanukkah, after authorities say a pair of gunmen targeted a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, killing more than a dozen people.

Tonight, law enforcement across the nation are being told to be vigilant, Lindsay.

Pierre, our thanks to you. Overseas now to that deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Australia. Dramatic video shows the moments a bystander rushed in and disarmed one of the alleged shooters. At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured.

The victims range in age from 10 to 87. Police say the two suspects are a father and son. Here's ABC's Marcus Moore.

Tonight, chaos at Australia's famed Bondi Beach. Hundreds running for their lives as a pair of gunmen open fire on a crowd gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. The suspects identified as a father and his son, killing at least 15 people and leaving 40 more wounded.

Authorities saying the bloodshed could have been much worse if not for the heroic actions of a bystander. On Sunday night, a celebration underway, people smiling and laughing. But the festive mood quickly turned to terror. Everyone was just running and there were

bullets and there were so many of them and we were really scared.

Video showing two gunmen, a 50 year old father and his 24 year old son perched atop a pedestrian bridge firing long guns. More than a thousand people were on the popular beach at the time, victims ranging from 10 to 87 years old. Among those killed was one of the organizers of the event, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, seen here on Instagram, who served as a rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community

for 18 years. But despite the danger, a brave bystander confronting one of the gunmen, jumping from behind a car, wrestling for control of the weapon, that good Samaritan who police have identified as Ahmad al-Ahmad, suffering multiple gunshot wounds, currently recovering in the hospital. And tonight, he's being hailed around the world as a hero.

A very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives.

Lindsey, police say one suspect, the father, was killed, the other, his son, taken into custody in critical condition. Authorities say they also found two improvised explosive devices at the scene, now calling this

a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

Lindsey.

Marcus Moore for us, thank you. We turn now to the other major news this Sunday night, that massive winter storm, the biggest December snowfall for New York City and Philadelphia since 2018. The storm is causing significant flight disruptions across the Northeast, more than 1000 flights canceled in West Virginia, hazardous driving conditions, the storm triggering multiple crashes

and right behind that snow, a blast of dangerous cold will get to the forecast in a moment. But first, ab ABC's Andrew Dimbert reports from New York.

Tonight, a massive winter storm slamming the east coast, causing treacherous travel conditions and major flight disruptions at airports across the northeast. I didn't know it was going to be this bad. Up to eight inches of snow falling in parts of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The biggest December snowfall for Philadelphia and New York City since 2018. It's been years since New York has seen this much snow in the heart of the city, tourists and locals alike flocking to Central Park to take it all in. It's a winter wonderland. I loved it. Nearly a foot of snow falling in parts of West Virginia, causing white out conditions. Multiple crashes

reported in Morgantown. This van flipping over in snowy conditions in Eden Township, Pennsylvania overnight, plow drivers racing to keep up. We work almost all night. Air travel also hit hard. More than 1000 flights canceled nationwide. Ground stops reported across the northeast and behind all that snow, a brutal b

is the temperatures are b don't get above freezing afternoon. So there's rea gonna get outside right n

out. Crews racing to clea deep freeze and Lindsay w dropping again tonight, o of a refreezing of roads, which could turn icy and dangerous. Lindsay,

that's a concern about black ice there, Andrew. Thank you. Let's get right to meteorologist Danny Beckstrom from our new york station W. A. B. C. And Danny

millions are bracing for that deep freeze. What can we expect? Oh, Lindsay, I'm already feeling it tonight here in Central Park, the Northeast for significant snowfall of the season moving out as that brutal cold barges in a deep freeze that will keep streets slick for days, two to fourvi New York with the deep fr Tuesday. New York and Phi single digits early monda air also diving south col

from almost the entire so in effect as far south as florida panhandle into mo new week also brings a ne of the pacific northwest River takes aim. Floodwa

in western Washington mon of several more inches of rain revive the risk for river flooding in an already waterlogged area.

Lindsay? Flooding and frigid temperatures, Dani, our thanks to you. Overseas now, and President Trump is threatening retaliation after the deaths of three Americans, two soldiers and one U.S. interpreter in an ISIS attack in Syria. U.S. military planes were seen flying over the area after the deadly attacks. Three service members were injured. ABC senior White House correspondent Selena Wang has

more tonight. Military warplanes patrolling the skies above Syria after three Americans were killed. The Pentagon says two U.S. soldiers and one U. S. civilian interpreter were ambushed on Saturday by a lone Isis gunman while supporting counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State 3 American service members also

wounded in the attack video obtained by Al Jazeera and verified by ABC News shows armored vehicles flying American flags driving through Palmyra, Syria before the deadly attack. Officials say the victims were all members of the

Iowa National Guard. It's hard enough to be away from your loved ones during the holiday holidays to have them deployed, let alone have him have them killed in action. The president telling me the U. S. Will respond. Mr.

President, will the U.S. retaliate against ISIS?

Yeah, we will.

This marks the first American military deaths in Syria since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Just last month, Trump met with Syria's new president, the first Syrian head of state to ever visit the White House. And Lindsay, while the U.S. has scaled back its presence in Syria, about a thousand American

troops still remain in the eastern part of the country. But tonight, some lawmakers are questioning whether U.S. troops are still needed in Syria. Lindsay? Selena Wang from the White House, thank you. We turn now to yet another frightening close call for flyers. A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Dulles International Airport

after an engine lost power during takeoff. Authorities say a piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on the runway. Here's ABC's Alex Prasche.

Frightening moments on board this United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo after one of its engines failed

shortly after takeoff.

He's currently in an emergency condition. He will be coming back to the airport. The pilot

reassuring passengers over the intercom. The pilot said also that, hey, there's absolutely nothing to be worried about. We are perfectly fine flying with just the right engine. The Boeing triple seven, then dropping fuel at 5000 ft to lighten the load before returning to Dulles International outside Washington D.C. Officials say a piece of the engine cover

had separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire, a trail of smoke rising along the runway.

All 290 people on board landing safely.

Still trying to cool off the landing gear. It's very hot. They blew some tires on landing.

It comes just a month after a UPS plane crashed into a ball of fire moments after takeoff in Louisville killing 14 Officials now releasing the desperate 9-1-1 calls from that day

It went straight down and caught on fire. So many people you need to send everybody. Oh my god

I'm freaking out. A preliminary report from the NTSB found the left engine separated from the plane. Alex joins us now. Alex, we're

learning about a close call involving a jet blue flight just after takeoff.

What can you tell us about that? Yeah, that's right. Lindsay, a jet blue pilot says he narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U. S. Military aircraft that he says entered his flight path as a jet was climbing after takeoff bound for New York from the Caribbean island of Curacao. The pilot says he saw the refueling plane in front of them and had to stop their climb until that military plane passed. And, Lindsay, tonight, Southern Command says it's reviewing the incident.

More scary moments. Alex, thank you. And there's still much more ahead on World News tonight. This Sunday, the University of Michigan reportedly expands its investigation after the arrest of its fired football coach. And history is made as America's top college football player is chosen. Next tonight, ESPN is reporting the University of Michigan has commissioned a full investigation into the practices and culture

of its entire athletic department. This follows a firing of head football coach, Sharon Moore, for what the university said was an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore was later arrested and charged with felony home invasion and two misdemeanors,

including stalking. He's pleaded not guilty. When we come back, a first in the history of the Heisman Trophy.

There is a lot more weight than that

to the index. Now history was made as the Heisman Trophy was awarded. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named college football's top player. He's the first Hoosier to win the trophy in its 90 year history. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect regular season and number one seed in the playoffs in accepting the award. He said it's really a credit to his team. When we come back, a new milestone for one of America's favorite entertainers.

Finally, tonight, America's Strong. One of America's most beloved entertainers turned 100 years old this weekend. Dick Van Dyke kept us laughing for generations, dating back to a sitcom in the early 1960s, and he dazzled us with his performance in Mary Poppins. He could light up a stage well into his 90s. Dick Van Dyke says one of his secrets for longevity,

it's simple, keep moving. Thanks so much for watching. Thanks so much for watching. I'm Lindsay Davis in New York, good night.