Texas Cops Drew Guns on Man Whose Hands Were Up ... Allegedly Ran a Stop Sign

5/16/20
MY HANDS ARE ALREADY UP!
Midland PD

A 21-year-old black man justifiably panicked when several cops pulled guns on him and repeatedly screamed, "Show me your hands" ... even though he was clearly already showing them.

The incident played out in Midland, Texas on May 16 but video of the arrest started circulating late last week. It's going viral now due to George Floyd's deadly arrest in Minneapolis, because it underscores the tense dynamic between African-Americans and police ... even during something as minor as running a stop sign.

The young man's name is Tye Anders and the video shows him get out of his car after pulling into his driveway. He immediately puts his hands up and begins repeatedly asking cops why they stopped him. Cops told him he ran a stop sign. Police were barking orders for him to put his hands up ... even though you can see his hands were up. Tye even dropped to his knees and laid on his stomach with his hands out.

Later in the video, you can hear Anders crying and telling cops he's scared before his 90-year-old grandmother walks out trying to defuse the situation. But, even then cops don't approach Anders ... as one officer can be heard asking if there's anyone else in the vehicle.

After Anders lies on the ground, you can hear cops telling him to stand up. Cops ultimately move in to make the arrest. There are erroneous reports the grandmother was tackled by cops, but you can see in the body cam footage she trips over Tye and is helped back up by cops.

Tye was ultimately arrested for evading arrest ... but the manner in which it went down has sparked controversy in Midland, where officials will hold a town hall meeting later Thursday to address it.

The video, of course, amplifies the panic black citizens feel even during routine traffic stops. As we've reported ... new surveillance video showed Floyd shows no signs of resisting during his arrest before he was killed by a cop pressing his knee on Floyd's neck.

Floyd's death led to the 4 officers involved getting fired from the force and it also sparked violent protests throughout Minneapolis and even downtown Los Angeles.

Kim Kardashian Applauds Inmates for Prison Mixtape ... David Jassy's a Genius!!!

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC

Kim Kardashian is applauding music producer and ex-inmate David Jassy on a groundbreaking achievement ... a mixtape written, recorded and produced in San Quentin State Prison.

The 17-track project, dubbed San Quentin Mixtape, Vol. 1., is dropping Friday, and Kim surprised David with this congratulatory message ... admiring his work, passion and dedication to his music-led prison initiative.

David, an award-winning producer who wrote and produced for Britney Spears, Sean Kingston, and Ashley Tisdale before being incarcerated, is the mixtape's brainchild ... he used a keyboard to makes beats in his San Quentin cell, and had other inmates rap about their stories.

Along the way, David's vision captured the hearts and minds of a host of celebs ... with Kim, J. Cole, MC Hammer and Common among the famous folks who visited San Quentin to see what Jassy was cooking up, and encourage the inmates to keep doing their thing.

David spent 11 years in San Quentin as part of his sentence for killing a man during an altercation, but while inside ... he worked with the prison to establish a music-focused initiative within the Youthful Offenders Program. He taught inmates how to write, produce and record their own music in a studio.

Jassy used his contacts in the music industry and other donors to support the program with enough donated audio equipment to build a full-scale production studio inside the prison's media lab.

The end result -- a project delving into the life experiences of 17 different inmates, exploring their struggles behind bars while encouraging the next generation to learn from their mistakes and forge a better path.

Kim says David and the 17 inmates featured on the mixtape should be very proud of themselves, and she can't wait for the world to hear their positive message -- the mixtape has no profanity.

David's sentence was commuted by California Governor Gavin Newsom in March, and while he's returned to his native Sweden to resume his career, Jassy is not turning his back on San Quentin ... he's still providing beats for the music program ... because mixtapes rarely end with Volume 1.

George Floyd Killing Cops Release New Body Cam of Arrest ... Offers Little New Info

APPROACHING THE SCENE

Police released new footage of George Floyd's arrest -- body cam from an officer on the scene -- but it's puzzling why they released it, because it creates more questions than answers.

The video is from the point-of-view of the Minneapolis Park Police officer who pulled up while Floyd was already detained by Minneapolis PD cops. It shows the Park officer arriving to assist, but the video is heavily redacted. Much of the audio is muted, and no suspects' faces are shown, including Floyd's.

The Park Police officer was only briefly near the spot where Floyd was sitting, already handcuffed, with the PD officers. The closest this video comes to showing the crucial moment of the arrest is at the 1:30 mark.

After, the Park Police officer moves his vehicle closer to where the PD cops had George in custody. One of the PD officers quickly told the Park officer to go back across the street ... but you can hear the muffled sound of a struggle. It might be George's voice, but the video is blacked out, so we can't say for sure.

MOMENTS BEFORE HIS DEATH
Dragon Wok

Park Police say this shows their officer was not near the incident, and couldn't have intervened. However, he's clearly aware of George's dire condition, because he tells the other suspects, "Right now, we're grabbing an ambulance for your buddy."

It's odd for cops to release this video first, because it sheds NO new light about how officer Derek Chauvin ended up putting his knee on George Floyd and killing him.

As you know, 4 Minn. PD officers involved in the arrest were fired -- the Park Police officer wasn't -- so it would be much more significant to release the PD cops' body cam footage, especially Chauvin's.

RAGIN' FOR JUSTICE
@kscullinfox9

Of course, the new footage comes as pressure is mounting on police and the City of Minneapolis to get justice for George. Protests have broken out the past 2 nights, and some demonstrators turned to looting Wednesday night.

A DESPERATE ATTEMPT
Facebook/Taqueria Las Cuatro Milpas

Far more tragically -- one person was killed during the violent protests and looting. Minneapolis police say a man was shot in the midst of the chaos. As you can see in video ... 2 officers respond to the gunshot victim and one administers CPR to try to save him. He was transferred to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Cops say they have a suspect in custody.

Rep. Maxine Waters Cop Kneeling On George Floyd 'Enjoyed Doing it'

ANOTHER SENSELESS KILLING
TMZ.com

Rep. Maxine Waters says George Floyd's killing has her thinking some police officers wake up thinking, "I'm gonna get me one today," and she suspects George was this guy's one.

The Congresswoman from California joined us on "TMZ Live" and was outraged by Floyd's death at the hands of police, telling us it's got her reflecting on other killings of young black men by cops and white supremacists.

Waters says the Minneapolis cop who kept his knee jammed deep into Floyd's neck for several minutes actually "enjoyed doing it." She took it a step further with a theory about what goes through the minds of rogue police officers.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

The way Rep. Waters sees it ... the cop was out for blood, and that's why he didn't care that citizens were not only witnessing his actions, but recording video of him slowly killing Floyd.

As for the other officers involved -- she's not letting them off the hook, criminally, either.

MOMENTS BEFORE HIS DEATH
Dragon Wok

The Congresswoman says the police and white supremacists who think they can get away with killing a black person feel empowered because of "dog-whistling" from President Trump.

And, in a sobering commentary, she explains how the justice system has repeatedly failed millions of citizens ... which makes it increasingly important to have irrefutable video when crimes like this occur.

Jamie Foxx Runs to Fallon's Defense ... 'You Ain't Got to Apologize for S**t'

Jamie Foxx wants everyone to leave Jimmy Fallon alone for wearing blackface 20 years ago, and says his buddy has NO reason to apologize.

Jamie came to the 'Tonight Show' host's defense with a series of comments on Jimmy's IG post where he did actually say he was sorry for his 'SNL' impression of Chris Rock.

Jamie said Jimmy "ain't got to apologize for s**t" and called him a great comedian who did an incredible impersonation.

But, what's interesting is ... Jamie says what Jimmy did is NOT blackface. As we reported ... Jimmy did a mea culpa Tuesday after the clip from the year 2000 resurfaced on social media with the hashtag, #jimmyfallonisoverparty.

Jimmy said, "I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this." He added, "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable."

But, for anyone trying to cancel Jimmy ... Jamie's NOT having it. He went on to say in defense of his bud, "Some of y’all didn’t even see the sketch… relax and laugh! it's Other muuuuuuphuckas out there that really don’t care bout ya… use that energy for them!!! But leave my mans alone."

George Floyd Video Teen Who Recorded It ... Traumatized from Online Backlash

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

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.

MOMENTS BEFORE HIS DEATH
Dragon Wok

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.

Univ. of Minnesota Won't Use Minneapolis PD at Football Games ... After George Floyd Death

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."

“Let our voices be heard and please take care."

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms How the Heck Did Masks Become a Political Symbol?

MAY 28, 2020
MAKE MASKS APOLITICAL
TMZ.com

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.

THE WILD PARTY
TMZ.com

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.

FOR MY EYES ONLY
Fox News

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 Restaurant Hit by Would-Be Burglar Cops 'PUMP' the Brakes!!!

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.

AFTER THE CRASH
TMZ.com

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.

NBA's Nate Robinson Serious About Boxing Jake Paul ... 'Let's Get It Done!!!'

A REAL CHALLENGE
TMZSports.com

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!!

LOOKIN' LEGIT

"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."

'Juwanna Mann' 'Memba Them?!

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."

guess what he looks like now!

George Floyd Death Protests Now Include Looting

RAGIN' FOR JUSTICE
@kscullinfox9

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.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

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.

RUNNING FOR COVER
AP

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.

Less violent protests have sprung up across the country too ... including one very large one moving through Los Angeles.

Demonstrators from Black Lives Matter are protesting Floyd's death, and the protest has engulfed an overpass near the 101 Freeway.

Prez Trump on George Floyd The Feds Are on It ... Justice Will Be Served!!!

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.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

It's a more emphatic reaction than he had several days after the video surfaced of 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 'F*** You, Racist White People' ... Rants About George Floyd

LISTEN UP!

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.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

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.

Old news is old news!
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