The girl who captured the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on video is not in a good space right now ... and it's all because of hate she's receiving online.
17-year-old Darnella Frazier tells TMZ ... she is utterly traumatized after recording the officer using his knee to suffocate George. Odd as it might sound, Darnella tells us a lot of people have criticized her for doing nothing more than shoot the encounter.
She says people on social media are telling her she should have done more to help George, like physically step in and intervene. While that emotion might be understandable, it's not really a practical notion for an African-American teenager.
Not just that, but folks are accusing Darnella of only posting the video for "clout" or attention, and possibly a payoff. She's vehemently refuted that.
She's also been facing a media frenzy surrounding her video -- dealing with reporters, and an onslaught of attention. And, of course, just witnessing George's death first-hand has scarred her as well, we're told.
Darnella's mother tells us her daughter was simply out making a store run, and never should have experienced this, including the nasty aftermath. She's concerned going forward because she says Darnella already suffers from social anxiety.
However, Mom believes her daughter was where she needed to be -- in order to capture the tragic event and share it with the world. To that point, without Darnella's video, we might not know what really happened.
As for those saying she should have done more. Keep in mind, she and several others on the scene shouted for several minutes at the officers ... pleading with them that George was dying.
The fact is ... Darnella's video could ultimately be the evidence that brings George's killer to justice. Internet trolls should think about that before attacking a teenage girl.
The University of Minnesota will no longer use the Minneapolis Police Dept. to work security at football games and other large events ... this after the horrific killing of George Floyd.
University president Joan Gabel explained her decision in a letter to students, faculty and staff.
"Our hearts are broken after watching the appalling video capturing the actions of Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers against George Floyd leading to his tragic death," Gabel wrote.
"Today I am announcing two immediate changes regarding our relationship with MPD."
"First, I have directed Senior Vice President Brian Burnett to no longer contact the Minneapolis Police Department for additional law enforcement support needed for large events such as football games, concerts, and ceremonies."
"Second, I have directed University Police Chief Matt Clark to no longer use the Minneapolis Police Department when specialized services are needed for University events, such as K-9 Explosive detection units."
Gabel says she is "outraged and grief-stricken" over the Floyd killing -- saying, "I do not have the words to fully express my pain and anger and I know that many in our community share those feelings, but also fear for their own safety. This will not stand."
The Univ. WILL have some relationship with the MPD -- but they will "limit our collaboration with the MPD to joint patrols and investigations that directly enhance the safety of our community or that allow us to investigate and apprehend those who put our students, faculty, and staff at risk."
Gabel added ... "I write to you to express our overwhelming sadness, and our demands for accountability and justice. Our Campuses and facilities are a part of the communities in which they reside. University students, staff, and faculty are day-to-day participants in the life of every community in this state, and we must act when our neighbors are harmed and in pain."
“My heart is heavy and my thoughts are with the loved ones and friends of George Floyd."
Keisha Lance Bottoms believes the majority of Americans know the man in charge is "not very smart" ... and she's urging everyone to use common sense and good judgment to get through this pandemic safely instead of following his political lead ... especially over masks.
The Mayor of Atlanta joined "TMZ Live" to talk about the politicization of COVID -- which is just crazy -- and the alarming images in her fair city, showing hundreds of people partying in close quarters without masks.
Bottoms says the silent majority has been responsible, and it would be a tragedy for a relatively small group to trigger a resurgence of the virus.
The problem, of course ... some people -- probably many -- are taking their cues from President Trump, who is clearly using masks as a moniker for his re-election campaign ... defying doctors and scientists and instead relying on untrained, gut instinct on what drugs to take and how to stay safe. Mayor Bottoms couldn't make sense of it ... because it doesn't make sense.
And, Mayor Bottoms told us how she spent a sleepless night after talking to her mother about the horrific killing of George Floyd. Watch the video and hear what her mom told her about civil rights and where we're at. It's just heartbreaking.
Lisa Vanderpump's famous restaurant was the scene of an alleged intruder up to no good ... but some quick-thinking eyewitnesses called cops who foiled the would-be burglar's act.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the L.A. County Sheriff's West Hollywood station got a call Sunday night around 7 PM for a possible burglary in progress. Our sources say deputies arrived within minutes and detained the suspect.
Our sources tell us cops spoke to reps for the WeHo joint and they decided NOT to press charges on the suspect. We're told the joint's GM decided against pressing charges because no real damage was done.
Lisa's husband, Ken, tells TMZ ... "He was desperate for a Pump-tini. We can’t blame him."
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ ... a man wearing a blue face mask and a backpack parked himself in front of the main gate and pulled out shears to try and cut open the heavy-duty blue chain lock.
We're told when he was spotted, the alleged suspect put the shears back in his backpack and stood there as if nothing was amiss. The witnesses snapped a pic of the man.
Our sources say the 3 people who witnessed this called police, who descended onto the scene in 7 police units and a helicopter. We're told the man had been seen in the area before, and it's probably what triggered such a large response.
Lisa and her husband, Ken, were NOT at the restaurant at the time of the incident. As you're well aware by now, the restaurant's been closed since California's shelter-at-home orders were implemented.
Looks like that Pump-tini or Pump-kin spiced old fashioned is gonna have to wait, eh? It's gotta suck for the Vanderpump's, though. First the Ferrari incident, and now this.
Move over KSI and Dillon Danis, there's a new boxing opponent for Jake Paul -- ex-NBAer Nate Robinson ... who tells TMZ Sports he's DEAD SERIOUS about wanting to fight the internet superstar.
It sounds random as hell, but let us explain how we got here.
Nate tells us he's been following Jake's recent antics VERY closely lately ... and he's sick of hearing Paul calling out weak opponents like a "bully."
So, Nate -- who's been training like crazy in the ring -- has the perfect solution ... by offering to showcase his skills in a match against the 2-0 fighter!!
"I want all the smoke," Nate tells us. "I'm a top tier athlete!"
"I'm putting my everything on the line for (Jake). Let's get it done. It's that simple."
Nate says it would be the greatest accomplishment of Paul's career if the YouTuber came out with the W ... but explains he's eyeing some all-time greats to help keep that from happening.
"If I get trained with somebody like a (Mike) Tyson, (Floyd) Mayweather, (Terence) Crawford, (Vasyl) Lomachenko, if I fight and I train with some of the best of the best in the world, like please, I don't think he stands a chance."
Of course, Jake already has 2 wins under his belt ... with wins over Deji and AnEsonGib ... but Robinson's confident he'll hand him his first L.
Nate even has a message for Paul ... saying he's ready to stop talking and start fighting.
"Listen, I'm not gonna be talking and yapping, bro. Jake, just sign the papers and let's get it poppin'! I'mma let you do all the talking and I'll do all the training and then I'mma let my hands do the talking."
"I feel like myself, as being one of the greatest athletes on the planet, it's not going to be no easy walk, bro. I hope you're ready. Just be ready, 'cause I'ma be ready."
New York City actor and writer Miguel A. Nunez Jr. is best known for his role as the out of work basketball player Jamal Jeffries -- who dons drag and takes on a female alter ego to infiltrate the women's WUBA professional basketball league -- in the gender-bending 2002 sports film "Juwanna Mann."
Miguel A. Nunez Jr. was cast alongside a strong cast of power female actors including Kim Wayans, Vivica A. Fox and Lil Kim.
Nunez can also be spotted in the 1985 horror-ish movie "The Return Of The Living Dead" as Spider ... and as Marcus Taylor in the late '80s television show "Tour Of Duty."
Some of the people protesting George Floyd's killing are resorting to looting ... as the tensions between citizens and cops in Minneapolis continue to escalate.
As the second day of demonstrations continued Wednesday -- hundreds came face-to-face with officers armed with riot gear -- some groups of protesters started looting a Target store.
As you can see in the video, folks are piling tons of goods into carts and baskets. The looters are running off with TVs, groceries and clothes.
The Target store is near the intersection where Floyd was killed after a now-fired cop killed him during an arrest for an alleged forgery.
As we reported ... footage of the incident shows an officer pressing his knee down on George's neck for several minutes, ignoring Floyd's pleas that he could not breathe, all while witnesses recorded video and shouted at officers that George was slowly dying.
The protests began in earnest Tuesday night in Minneapolis, with demonstrators clashing with cops who fired tear gas canisters and pepper spray into the crowd.
Kobe Bryant won't be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year ... the induction ceremony is being pushed to 2021 because of the novel coronavirus.
The enshrinement ceremonies for the star-studded Hall of Fame class of 2020, which includes Tim Duncanand Kevin Garnettalongside the late KB, are being delayed to next spring ... according to HOF honcho Jerry Colangelo.
Jerry told ESPN the enshrinement ceremonies -- originally scheduled for Aug. 28 to 30 with proposed alternate dates of Oct. 10 to 12 -- are "just not feasible" in the pandemic that's killed more than 100,000 Americans, and made large gatherings basically impossible.
Colangelo says the Hall of Fame's board of governors will meet June 10 to figure out dates for spring of 2021 for the enshrinement.
The ceremony was supposed to go down Aug. 29 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA ... and Colangelo says the Hall of Fame thought about moving the ceremony to a larger venue better suited for social distancing, but the powers that be ultimately decided to wait until next year.
This means the ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be held in the same calendar year, but Colangelo says the Hall won't combine them on one weekend because the Class of 2020 "deserves its own celebration."
It will be interesting to see if the extra time will be enough for Shaquille O'Neal to muster the strength to watch Kobe enter the Hall. He previously said he was still emotional over Kobe's death and wouldn't watch because it would make him too sad.
President Trump is speaking out about the killing of George Floyd, saying federal law enforcement is on the case ... and promising there will be justice.
POTUS tweeted Wednesday about George's death, saying ... "At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd."
He went on to say, "I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!"
It's interesting ... we already knew the FBI was involved, but the fact the DOJ is jumping in right away as well is pretty telling. Seems the President is aware of how angry and fed up millions of Americans are after seeing the video of George's killing.
It's a more emphatic reaction than he had several days after the video surfacedof Ahmaud Arbery getting shot to death -- saying it was a horrible thing, and he was awaiting the results of several investigations.
In any case, it's good to see the case has caught the attention of the most powerful person in the country ... who can actually do something about this at the highest level.
Some more consistency would be nice, but we'll take it.
John Boyega sees what's happening to black people here in the U.S. -- specifically, the killing of George Floyd -- and he has a message to racist white Americans who might also be his fans.
The 'Star Wars' actor went on an epic tirade Wednesday, going IN on "racist white people" who in any way, shape or form tolerate and/or downplay what's happening in our streets ... namely, the killing of unarmed, innocent African-Americans.
You gotta see this for yourself, John's very heated as he calls George Floyd's death part of a continuous cycle that he sees here in the States -- black men being killed by either cops or vigilantes trying to play cops. He says that's enough for him to stay away -- presumably in England, his home country.
John goes on to lay into ANYONE who's a fan -- and who's also a racist -- telling 'em to get off his page, off his timeline and out of his circle ... 'cause he ain't having it.
Interestingly, he also makes it clear that he doesn't care what this rant of his might mean for his career. There's a good reason for that though ... JB says he's "not Hollywood."
We'll let John explain for himself, but it's certainly a refreshing approach to the watered-down, polished statements we typically see from public figures.
8:33 AM PT -- 6/1 The Resnicows have responded to Theroux's allegations, and while both admit Norman verbally threatened his wife ... Mrs. Resnicow denies any physical abuse.
UPDATE
Norman says, "I deeply regret the words I used in the recording. There is no excuse or justification to verbally threaten violence again anyone ever, regardless of context or intent. I apologize to my wife, family, and friends for the pain I have caused."
UPDATE
Mrs. Resnicow says Norman "has never been physically aggressive." She adds ... "Our verbal dispute, which was recorded without our consent, had nothing to do with Justin Theroux or with the lawsuit he has filed against both of us. He is using the pain of public humiliation as a weapon to destroy us. I feel threatened by Justin, not my husband."
Justin Theroux's ongoing war with his neighbor is getting uglier ... because he claims the guy's been making threats of domestic abuse against his elderly wife.
The actor's filed legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- seeking civil or criminal punishment for his NYC neighbor, Norman Resnicow, because he alleges Resnicow's rage-filled outbursts violate a restraining order put in place as part of their ongoing litigation.
Justin asserts Resnicow's prohibited from harassing or intimidating potential witnesses in the case, including other residents of the building ... which includes his 71-year-old wife.
Theroux claims he's heard Resnicow threatening her with violence multiple times since Governor Cuomo issued a stay-at-home order in March. He says 2 days after the order ... Resnicow locked his wife out of their home because he was mad she wasn't wearing a mask, and angrily screamed at her to leave.
Justin recorded the incident, as well as the second incident later that night, when he says he heard Resnicow "erupting in rage" at his wife back at their home. Resnicow's heard calling her a "stupid woman" and "f***ing moron" on the recordings ... and Justin says he feared for her safety and police were called.
About a month later on April 30, there was another alleged incident which prompted Theroux to call the cops ... but he says Resnicow pretended to not be home when they arrived.
Then, on the evening of May 3, Justin claims he heard a loud verbal attack by Resnicow on his wife and began recording. According to the audio, Resnicow's angry that his wife wants to go out, and says to her ... "No you don’t, because I’ll break your teeth. No, you sit down in your f***ing seat. Sit down in your fucking seat and watch the show."
Resnicow accuses her of "going out deaf" because she listens to podcasts, and adds ... "Sit down and shut up. You’re not going anywhere. You’re not going anywhere. You’re not—you’re gonna watch. Wanna get it? You want broken teeth? I’ll break your f***ing teeth."
Theroux says he called 911 again and police arrived, but he does not know the outcome of their encounter with the Resnicows.
Justin claims other residents in the building have filed affidavits saying these incidents can be traumatic, and Justin says the outbursts caused him "anxiety that continues long after the incidents themselves have ended."
He's asking the court to hold Resnicow in contempt and potentially impose a fine or imprisonment on him. As we've reported ... the nasty fight between the 2 neighbors has gone on for 3 years -- but this is another level.
A 103-year-old Red Sox superfan beat the hell out of coronavirus ... and then celebrated like she had just won the World Series -- cracking open and chugging a Bud Light!!
The badass great grandma is Jennie Stejna ... and just a few weeks ago, her family didn't think there was any chance the beer celly would ever go down.
Stejna's grandson-in-law, Adam Gunn, tells TMZ Sports ... the die-hard Boston fan was diagnosed with COVID-19 in early May and became seriously ill.
Gunn says Stejna was the first to test positive in her Wilbraham, Mass. nursing home ... and was forced to be moved into a different part of the facility after coming down with a fever.
In fact, Gunn says things got so dire ... his family members called to say what they thought would be their final goodbyes ... and Gunn says he even asked Jennie straight up if she was ready to go to heaven.
(Gunn says she responded, "Hell, yes!" .. adding "she's a feisty Polish woman!" GANGSTER!!!)
But, fortunately for everybody ... Jennie pulled through -- and was rewarded with an ice-cold beer by her nursing home staff for beating it.
And, check out the video of her sippin' on the Bud Light ... she clearly loved the suds!!!
The Red Sox might not be able to tally wins yet this season ... but go ahead and chalk this one up as W #1 for Boston this summer anyway!
3:10 PM PT -- The two NASA astronauts, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, have finally disembarked the Dragon capsule ... and they're already looking forward to Saturday's rescheduled launch.
UPDATE
1:23 PM PT -- Elon is going to have to wait a little longer for his company to make history ... SpaceX says Wednesday's launch is OFF due to "unfavorable weather in the flight path."
UPDATE
SpaceX pulled the plug minutes before the rocket carrying astronauts to the ISS was about to blastoff from Florida ... and the next launch is tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 3:22 PM ET.
UPDATE
10:59 AM PT -- The astronauts are already loaded into the capsule and are going through safety protocols. As of now, all systems are go!
Elon Muskis looking to make more space history ... SpaceX is attempting to launch 2 NASA astronauts to the International Space Station ... and TMZ will be live streaming the mission.
Dubbed Demo-2, the mission marks the first time ever a commercial aerospace company is sending humans into Earth's orbit. The milestone is a decade in the making, as human spaceflight finally returns to American soil.
The launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon is set for 4:33 PM ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida ... and the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the capsule is taking off from the historic Pad 39A, which famously launched Apollo 11 way back in 1969, the first moon landing.
SpaceX and NASA are streaming the launch from takeoff all the way until Crew Dragon docks with the ISS, and it should take the capsule about 19 hours to travel from Florida to the space station.
The two veteran astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft are 49-year-old Robert Behnken and 53-year-old Douglas Hurley.
NASA says it wants to keep the astronauts on the ISS until another Crew Dragon capsule is ready to send more humans on SpaceX's next mission. Robert and Douglas say they're expecting to spend 1 to 3 months in space before returning home in Crew Dragon, which will land in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew Dragon into Earth's upper atmosphere, where the capsule will separate and use its own thrusters to make its way to the ISS. The capsule is fully autonomous, so the astronauts won't have much to do, unless something crazy happens. The rocket, meanwhile, should land on a drone ship after launch.
SpaceX has a $2.6 BILLION contract with NASA ... and the launch marks the first time the United States is sending its own astronauts into space since 2011, when the Space Shuttle Program ended.
Oh, and the capsule has a toilet, which could come in handy during the 19-hour ride.
George Floyd's family wants the 4 officers involved in his death arrested, charged and tried for murder -- as their attorney says America needs a state of emergency ... to protect black people.
George's brother, Philonise Floyd, and cousin, Tera Brown, spoke with us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" and reacted to the surveillance video showing the initial moment George was put in handcuffs.
They were, understandably, distraught over what we've all seen in the footage -- George peacefully responding as an officer arrested him ... never physically resisting arrest.
Philonise told us his brother was beloved by everyone who knew him, and said he wasn't shocked to see George was NOT resisting ... as the Minneapolis police first suggested in a statement about the incident.
His brother and cousin got emotional explaining what it was like watching the original video showing George slowly get killed on camera. When we asked what Philonise and Tera would like to see happen now, they didn't hesitate -- both want all the officers there on the scene, especially the one kneeling on George, to be arrested for murder.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed the family's words during a news conference Wednesday afternoon, where he called for the Hennepin County District Attorney to charge the officer whose knee cut off George's airway.
We also spoke to the family's attorney, Ben Crump -- and he told us he is now demanding an executive order be issued announcing a state of emergency for protection of all African-Americans.
It might sound like a big ask, but watch -- Crump is deadly serious about his plea, and says in light of George's case, Ahmaud Arbery's and so many others ... it's very necessary.
Everyone wants to shake their booty when they hear Megan Thee Stallion ... especially in the animal kingdom!!!
Yes, even wild bears are classy, bougie and ratchet when they hear some MTS ... and this pole dancing bear is a straight up SAVAGE!!!
Check out this wild video straight outta the mean streets of Bear Country USA in South Dakota ... where the bears are sassy, moody, nasty, and acting stupid by grinding their bear-y big badunkadunks on any pole in sight.
This furry MTS fan got off all fours to grind all up and down this pole in the middle of the drive-thru wildlife park, deep in the heart of the Black Hills.
The bear is giving Megan a run for her money in the twerking department ... and the best part is the arms moving and grooving to MTS' "Savage" beat.
The Hennepin County D.A. just responded to the Mayor's call for charges to be brought against the officer who kneeled on Floyd, saying ... "In order to bring charges and obtain a guilty verdict, there are very specific parts of the law which must be met in prosecuting any crime of violence."
The statement continues ... "The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is working as quickly as possible to gather the necessary evidence and we will expeditiously review the case when we receive the case file and make our decision."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is calling for charges to be brought against the still-unnamed officer who kneeled on George Floyd, eventually suffocating him.
Frey said, "if you had done it, or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now." He wants the Hennepin County D.A. to bring the officer to justice.
Before George Floyd was pinned to the ground by a cop's knee -- and ultimately killed -- he was cuffed by a different officer and seemed to be cooperating ... according to new surveillance footage.
A nearby restaurant, Dragon Wok, captured the initial moments of George's run-in with Minneapolis police on a camera set up outside. Based on the video, this started as a traffic stop of some sort, which ended with George being led away in cuffs.
The video shows 2 vehicles parked curbside, and eventually, 2 officers approach one of the cars and ask everyone to step out. A man and a woman emerge from the passenger side, while George is taken out by another officer on the driver's side ... seemingly struggling at first.
The cops get George to stand up and lead him over to the sidewalk where they sit him down. He isn't doing a whole lot of resisting the rest of the way.
Another police officer eventually arrived, and George was walked across the street and off camera. He was not being led by the officer who was eventually seen with his knee on George's neck.
Remember, police say they were responding to a call for a possible forgery. We're told an employee at a nearby business says George had attempted to pay with a $10 bill they suspected was counterfeit and, as is company policy, had reported it to police.
The surveillance video was released by Dragon Wok's owner Rashad West, who says he wanted to put it out for his community.
It's important to note the video does not show what happened immediately before the officer put the full force of his knee on George's neck ... despite pleas from George of not being able to breathe.
As you know, George's killing sparked violent protestsTuesday evening in Minneapolis. The 4 officers involved have been fired, and the Mayor has called George's death a failure on the part of the police.