Subway Worker Defends Herself in Armed Robbery ... Manager Suspends Her

TURNING THE TABLES
@yadalove07/Tik Tok

A Subway worker bravely defended herself while getting robbed at gunpoint -- even successfully disarming the dude and getting him to leave ... and all she got was suspended.

The woman's name is Araceli Sotelo, and she was working at a Rockford, IL Subway location last weekend when a guy brazenly entered and flashed a gun at her, demanding she give him the money on hand in the store ... an encounter that was partially caught on video.

The surveillance cameras in the store were running, and somehow ... the footage got leaked to the local Rockford Scanner -- which watermarked the clips and threw them up on FB.

The footage is wild -- you see Sotelo yelling at the guy to leave and to stop, and then she starts to scuffle with him behind the counter ... and actually gets the upper hand during the confrontation. They spill out into the dining area, and Sotelo amazingly knocks the gun loose.

She rips the robber's sweater off too, and then gets a hold of the firearm ... knocking him upside his head! He flees with just her purse in hand. So, she fended for herself well.

Sotelo says that she was contacted by her manager after this entire ordeal, and was told she wouldn't be working or paid until this video was completely scrubbed from the internet ... something Sotelo says is virtually impossible now. She also denies sending it out in the first place -- although, she has since posted an unwatermarked portion of it on her own TikTok.

Still, the idea that she's being punished for protecting herself (and the store by extension) is being seen as BS by many. She's out of a phone (which got broken in the fight), and everything in her purse, including credit cards and her ID.

Her mom started a GoFundMe to cover legal expenses and lost wages while they sort through this whole mess.

J Lo A Little D&G in Venice ... Dolce and Gondola

Jennifer Lopez knows how to travel in style ... even when she precariously boards a tiny boat!

J Lo was decked out in D&G head to toe as she jumped on a gondola in Venice, Italy, during the Venice International Film Festival. It's part of a fashion shoot that took about an hour and a half.

Jen and Ben have been pretty much inseparable during the trip ... gotta say, both looking amazing as they took in the festival and some sightseeing.

After the shoot, J Lo went back to their hotel, after which she and Ben headed for the airport.

Ben and Jen have been on a world tour, during which they have displayed PDA on multiple continents.

Ben will be heading to Austin soon, to shoot a movie. TMZ broke the story, he rented a luxury condo for the movie shoot and even though it's temporary, he's upgrading the pad. We're told J Lo will be spending a fair amount of time with BF during production.

Ben has also been front and center during at least one of J Lo's projects ... even interacting with the crew during the shoot, so they're not only seriously dating ... they're already involved in each other's business.

Ben and Jen have been looking for insanely expensive estates in the L.A. area. So, yeah, it's serious.

Stars and Scars You Be the Judge

Donald Trump's making millions calling the boxing match on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and Howard Stern is fed up with the unvaccinated and isn't gonna take it anymore!!! So, we gotta ask ...

Trump Calling Boxing Match On 9/11 ...

Howard Stern Saying F*** The Unvaccinated

Who Broke Up With Who?

Jamie Spears Asking To End Conservatorship ...

I'd Love To Buy Tupac's Death Car ...

Cesar Millan's Pit Bull Biting Gymnast ...

Larry Elder Attacked By White Woman In Gorilla Mask ...

Akon Says The Rich Have More Problems Than The Poor ...

Most At Fault For Afghanistan ...

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony 3 Presidents Observe Solemn Moment at Ground Zero

MOMENTS OF SILENCE
CNN

Thousands of folks, including 3 presidents, observed a moment of silence at Ground Zero to mark the exact moment when an American Airlines Jet slammed into one of the World Trade Center Twin Towers 20 years ago.

President Joe Biden, along with former Presidents Obama and Clinton, observed a moment of silence as people remembered the life-changing event 2 decades ago.

Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the terrorist attack ... an assault on America that triggered the war on Afghanistan -- a war that many say went on way too long.

Various family members read the names of those who perished during the attack.

TOUCHING TRIBUTE
CNN

Bruce Springsteen took the podium and sang "I'll See You in My Dreams" as the crowd took it all in.

President Biden will leave New York City and visit the other 2 sites where the other 2 planes went down -- the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

President Obama has said in the lead-up to the anniversary, "One thing that became clear on 9/11 - and has been clear ever since - is that America has always been home to heroes who run towards danger in order to do what is right."

As you know, the attack was planned by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was hunted down and killed during Obama's presidency. The U.S. government has maintained a secret file on Saudi Arabia's involvement in the attack, and after mounting pressure from family members of 2,000 people who perished ... President Biden said the document will be released, although he didn't say when.

2 Chainz Throws 'No Fent' Birthday Party

OUTTA SIGHT

2 Chainz has made a statement about the fentanyl epidemic that has ripped through Hollywood and the nation, by throwing a "no fent" birthday party for himself.

Chainz is turning 44 Sunday, and he marked the occasion a few days early with his party Friday night.

The party, which went down in Atlanta at the Members Only Lounge, was not exactly drug-free. He posted a vid of bags that appear to be psilocybin mushrooms.

The bash had a theme -- Hippie's in the '70s -- which sounds kinda awesome.

Chainz and his wife, Kesha Ward, posted pics of them in their party getups.

As for the "no fent" theme ... there have been a rash of fentanyl-related deaths recently. TMZ broke the story, comedians Fuquan Johnson, Rico Angeli and Natalie Williamson all died of a suspected accidental fentanyl OD last week in Venice, California.

And, 16-year-old Logan Williams, who starred in "The Flash," died last year from an accidental fentanyl OD.

Michael K. Williams was found dead last Monday in his Brooklyn apartment, and authorities found drug paraphernalia at the scene. Authorities believe the death was heroin-related and toxicology tests are being run to determine, among other things, if fentanyl was involved.

HEARTBREAKING LOSSES
TMZ.com

Tiffany Haddish got emotional with us talking about her friends she lost to fentanyl-related OD's.

IT'S SAD
TMZ.com

"Intervention" host Ken Seeley told us on "TMZ Live" this week how fentanyl hooks people who use drugs and how it takes many of their lives because of its extreme toxicity.

Good for Chainz ... a good message during a good time.

Mick Brigden Rolling Stones Tour Manager ... Dies In 'Freak Accident' Digging Grave for Dog

7:22 AM PT -- Mick's wife, Julia Dreyer Brigden, tells TMZ ...

Mick was digging a grave for their dying dog in a lower field on their country property Santa Rosa, CA on Sept. 7.

While Mick was digging, something happened and the hole collapsed in on him. She says this was a freak accident and he died immediately.

Julia says a neighbor saw what happened and quickly called 911. Paramedics arrived, but it was already too late. Mick could not be saved.

The couple's 14-year-old Australian Shepherd named Travis -- who was in poor health and not eating -- was put down two days later.

Mick Brigden, a mainstay in the music industry whose work included tour manager for the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, has died.

Mick's wife says her husband was digging a grave for their dog at their home in Santa Rosa, CA when he suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Mick began his career as a concert promoter and worked with Van Morrison, Joe Satriani, Humble Pie, Peter Frampton and Carlos Santana. He was one of the founders of Wolfgang Records, which released multiple albums by Eddie Money, including his first, self-titled album in 1977.

Outside of music management, Brigden had a passion for winemaking, supplying grapes grown in his Northern California vineyard to make an exclusive Owl Ridge cabernet.

This has been a rough period for the Stones and Stones fans. Charlie Watts, the group's one-and-only drummer for 6 decades, died last month.

As for Brigden ... he's survived by his wife of 34 years, Julia, son Jack, stepdaughter Jessica and grandson David.

Mick was 73.

RIP

Originally Published -- 6:10 AM PT

ALASKA AIRLINES PASSENGER I'm Getting Weight Loss Surgery ... After Airline Fat Shamed Me

The woman who claimed she got kicked off an Alaska Airlines flight because she was too fat has been doing some self-reflection... and now she's going under the knife to slim down.

Manager of Ray Lin Howard, Gina Rodriguez,  tells TMZ … ever since last week's incident, Ray Lin's felt uncomfortable and judged every time she gets dressed and goes out in public, and now she's making a change.

We're told she's traveling to Beverly Hills next week to get gastric sleeve surgery to remove the majority of her stomach ... and her goal is to go from 350 lbs. to about 160.

Waiting for your permission to load TikTok Post.

As we reported ... Ray Lin claims she got kicked off an Alaska Airlines flight for wearing a revealing outfit, and says she was also harassed and discriminated against because of her weight. She described the incident as the worst example of "fatphobia" she's ever encountered.

We're told Bev Hills surgeon Dr. Samuel Kashani reached out to Ray Lin after he saw the Alaskan Air story and wanted to help ... and he's doing the normally $42,000 procedure for free.

Steve-O 'Jackass Forever' Release Pushed ... But Not Due to Bam Drama

BAFFLED BY BAM
TMZ.com

Steve-O is literally LOL over Bam Margera's lawsuit against 'Jackass' producers, and says the legal battle has nothing to do with why the new movie's release has been delayed.

We got Steve-O at LAX and asked him why "Jackass Forever" is now dropping on February 4, 2022 ... instead of the originally planned date this October. Fans have been speculating it's because of Bam's pending lawsuit against Johnny Knoxville, the 'Jackass' team and Paramount Pictures.

5/23/21
HELP FROM THE GREEN QUEEN
@bam__margera / Instagram

The studio has said it's due to the rising COVID cases, but conspiracy-loving fans online called BS, and kept pushing the Bam theory. Well, Steve-O's doubling down on the company line, and his reaction to Bam's lawsuit might finally convince fans.

He couldn't hold back, and laughed off the case. In fact, he has just one word to describe it. As we reported ... Bam sued, saying he was forced to sign an agreement he claims amounted to psychological torture.

Steve-O had previously said the reason Bam's not in the fourth installment of the 'Jackass' franchise is that he couldn't stay sober. But now ... a lawsuit? Steve-O's baffled, to say the least.

For the record, Paramount didn't only delay 'Jackass' ... it also pushed back the new 'Top Gun' and 'Mission Impossible' flicks, citing the public's waning comfort with hitting up movie theaters.

Michael K. Williams 'Wire' Co-Star Wants to Keep His Light Shining ... 'He Left an Impact'

HONOR THE NAME
TMZ.com

Andre Royo -- one of Michael K. Williams' co-stars on "The Wire" -- says the entire 'Wire' family is feeling the loss ... but he's encouraging people to keep spreading the late actor's positivity.

Andre -- who played the drug addict and informant "Bubbles" on the popular HBO series -- was out in NYC Friday when he reflected on Michael's life ... saying he was someone who cared about everybody.

Royo tells us Williams' death was a stunner, but he hopes people will rally together to keep his name alive, remember his work, and shine his light ... because his former co-star was a great person, and clearly left a major impact.

As we reported ... Williams -- who played the beloved character Omar on "The Wire" before going on to star on several other hit shows -- was found dead Monday of an apparent overdose in his Brooklyn apartment.

There's been an outpouring of love and respect for Michael this week, and like Andre points out ... the tributes are warranted.

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?

Don't let these two almost identical images of Addison Rae knock you off balance! Take a real close look and see if you can spot any of the sneaky switches made to this tricky pic!

The TikTok influencer and newest lead of the Netflix reboot "He's All That" was pictured stepping out for promos in New York earlier this week ... and we have made a few changes to the original shot! Use your star power and see if you have what it takes to find the differences between these two super similar snaps!

**HINT -- There are THREE differences in the above photographs!**

Under Summertime Umbrellas ... No Shade!

The summer sun is still blazing and these undercover ladies are throwing some serious shade!

Stunning stars like Winnie Harlow, Gizele Oliveira, and Vanessa Hudgens are enjoying the last few weeks of summer! Whether it's a trip to the pool, a sandy day at the beach, or an extravagant vacation to Italy, these bikini babes are soaking it up ... and they know the importance of protecting themselves from those harsh UV rays!

Camille Kostek, Kourtney Kardashian, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski are a just few other hot celebs looking for some cool cover.

When the sun shines, we shine together!

Britney Spears BF Posts, Deletes Ring Pic ... My Account Got Hacked!!!

Britney Spears' boyfriend had fans hoping they finally got engaged ... because he posted and deleted a pic of a ring ... but now he says things are not the way they appear.

Here's the deal ... Britney fans went nuts Friday when her BF, Sam Asghari, posted a picture of a ring on his Instagram story. Eagle-eyed fans pointed out the ring had an inscription reading, "Lioness."

But, Sam is pouring cold water on the speculation he popped the question after more than 4 years of dating ... he says his IG account got hacked and the ring pic was photoshopped.

TMZ broke the story ... Sam went shopping for jewelry earlier this month at Cartier in Beverly Hills, and appeared to be checking out a diamond ring.

Lots of folks took Sam's shopping trip as a signal he and Britney were heading toward an engagement ... because she made it clear back in June at her court hearing she had marriage on the mind.

For now, it seems like people are putting the Cartier before the horse.

Bottom line from Sam ... "calm down everyone!"

Rayshard Brooks ESTATE SUES ATL, COPS FOR HIS SHOOTING DEATH

Rayshard Brooks' widow wants someone to pay for his shooting death ... so she's suing the City of Atlanta and the 2 police officers involved in the incident that killed him.

Tomika Miller just filed a lawsuit on behalf of Rayshard's estate ... claiming her late husband's shooting death in a Wendy's parking lot on June 12, 2020, was "senseless and unjustified."

NEW SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Tomika claims Rayshard remained "calm, polite, cordial and cooperative" with cops during a 41-minute interaction until officer Garrett Rolfe began handcuffing Brooks to arrest him and threw him to the ground.

In the suit, Tomika claims the other cop, Devin Brosnan, then threatened Rayshard with a Taser while he was on the ground ... even though she claims Brosnan had not completed the police department's mandatory Taser certification course.

Tomika claims Rayshard stood up while being threatened and gained control of Brosnan's Taser ... and that's when Rolfe grabbed his own Taser and shot Rayshard with the Taser darts.

In the docs, Tomika claims Rayshard turned his back on the cops and started running away after being tased, with Rolfe chasing after him and firing 3 bullets from his gun, 2 of which struck Brooks in the back and caused him to crumple to the ground.

Tomika claims the cops didn't give Rayshard medical aid after shooting him, and instead, Rolfe went over and kicked Brooks.

In her suit, Tomika claims Rolfe acted with actual malice and an intent to injure Rayshard by using deadly and excessive force.

Rayshard's widow claims the officers acted with deliberate indifference by not rendering medical aid after shooting him.

In the docs, Tomika's also blaming the City of Atlanta, claiming its police department failed to adequately train and supervise its officers ... and she's going after all of them for unspecified damages.

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