TMZ.com Home

Garrett Rolfe, the ex-Atlanta cop who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks during his arrest in a Wendy's parking lot, thinks he never should've been canned ... he's suing to get his job back.

Rolfe is suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the city's interim police chief Rodney Bryant, claiming his June 13 firing -- which came the day after Rayshard was killed -- violates city policy and his constitutional right to due process.

In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Rolfe points out Rayshard violently resisted arrest before the fatal shooting -- and explains, "within the scope and course of his duties" he used force.

The ex-cop says his firing, which was announced by the mayor and then-Atlanta police chief Erika Shields, violated a law that he claims required proper investigation, notice, and a hearing before firing him.

Rolfe, who is charged with felony murder and is currently out on bond, is gunning to be reinstated to the police force and wants back pay and benefits.

Meanwhile, Rayshard's widow, Tomika Miller, is supporting a motion from the Fulton County District Attorney asking a judge to revoke Rolfe's bond.

Daisy Coleman -- one of the teenage girls featured in "Audrie & Daisy," the Netflix documentary about multiple rape cases -- has died by suicide ... according to her mother.

Daisy's mom, Melinda, says her daughter took her own life Tuesday night. Her body was discovered after Melinda called the police to do a welfare check.

Melinda says ... "She was my best friend and amazing daughter. I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her. I can’t. I wish I could have taken the pain from her!"

Daisy was 14 years old in January 2012 when she was allegedly raped at a Missouri house party after being plied with alcohol ... though no one was ever convicted.

The 2016 Netflix doc followed Daisy and members of her family as they dealt with the trauma of her alleged assault, and the hostile reaction of their community.

Daisy's mom says, "She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it’s just not fair. My baby girl is gone." The family coped with another tragedy just last year when Daisy's younger brother was killed in a car accident.

"Audrie & Daisy" also focused on the sexual assault of Audrie Pott in September 2012 in California. Audrie died by suicide 10 days later.

Following her rape case, Daisy co-founded the organization SafeBAE with the mission of ending sexual assault among middle and high school students and helping survivors. The org says it is devastated by her death and has "suffered an irreplaceable loss."

Daisy was 23.

Takeoff's just been sued by a woman claiming he raped her at a party in L.A.

The woman, who's filed the lawsuit as a Jane Doe, claims the Migos rapper made her extremely uncomfortable at an L.A. party back in June before he raped her in the bedroom of the person she says invited her to the party.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the woman claims Takeoff stared at her while at the party and that made her extremely uncomfortable. She also claims he offered her weed later in the evening, but she snubbed him.

In the suit, she says things went south after that -- she claims she was going upstairs with the man who invited her to the party when Takeoff, who was coming down the steps, got pissed. She says Takeoff and the man got into an argument, prompting her to go into the man's bedroom to wait it out.

She alleges that's when Takeoff entered the bedroom and started touching her buttocks. She claims she very clearly refused his advances, but Takeoff then flipped her over face-down, pulled down her clothing and raped her. She claims after he finished he immediately left the room.

After getting over the initial shock, the woman claims she went to a nearby hospital the same day where she claims hospital staff observed physical evidence of forceful rape. She claims hospital staff notified LAPD.

She's suing for sexual battery, assault, emotional distress and more and wants damages.

We've reached out to Takeoff for comment, so far no word back.

Michelle Obama's struggling through 2020 -- she just revealed she's "dealing with what she calls some form of "low-grade depression" ... partly brought on by President Trump's actions.

The former First Lady dropped a new episode of her podcast on Spotify Wednesday, and while discussing mental health with former NPR anchor Michele Norris -- said she's got the blues "not just because of the quarantine but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting."

During the chitchat, Michelle talked about nationwide civil unrest and Trump's response to it -- and said it's all bringing her down. She added, "I don't think I'm unusual in that."

Michelle was describing what millions of us have been feeling over the last few months -- "I have to say, that waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a Black man or Black person somehow being dehumanized or hurt or killed or falsely accused of something, it is exhausting. And, it has led to a weight that I haven't felt in my life in a while."

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wanted an appropriate setting to try and save their marriage, and we've learned, when they jumped on that private jet with their kids, they flew to a tropical island outside the country to take a trip that's very different from every other.

The Kardashians are famously photographed everywhere they go, but on this trip, it's designed specifically so there will be NO PHOTOS.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, the fam is staying in what is described as a "fortress" ... an estate that is so remote it's virtually impossible for trespassers to get close.

It's interesting ... there is total radio silence as to how the vacation is going. As we reported, this could be the final test on the marriage. They have had relatively little contact over the last few months, and Kanye's pronouncements at the South Carolina campaign rally and on twitter clearly didn't help.

We broke the story ... last week Kim flew to Wyoming to see Kanye, and the reunion was tearful and tense.

"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates."

That's Vanessa Bryant's key argument as to why the court should REJECT a requested venue change in her wrongful death lawsuit -- claiming Kobe's legacy expands way beyond L.A.

As we previously reported, Island Express Helicopters and the estate for pilot Ara Zobayan had asked the court to move the case from L.A. to Orange County, arguing they couldn't get a fair trial in the city where the Lakers star played NBA ball for 20 years.

Now, Vanessa is firing back ... saying she lawfully selected L.A. as her venue because that's where the January 26th helicopter crash occurred -- and she's digging in her heels to keep it there.

Not only does Vanessa point out the Bryants have lived in Orange County for nearly 20 years and Kobe's "popularity there is just as strong as anywhere else" -- but she also claims it really doesn't matter where you go, Kobe is beloved all over the U.S.

"Defendant fails to acknowledge the extent to which Kobe Bryant’s legacy penetrates American culture," Vanessa's attorney states in new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates. Public esteem for Kobe Bryant is a fact of American life."

Vanessa is right about Kobe's popularity -- when he passed away back in January, tributes poured in from all over the world ... including Italy and Japan.

A massive Kobe mural even went up in Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina!

As for the venue change, that's now up to a judge to decide.

Be on the lookout for Peter Pan's shadow rummaging through your kids' bedroom at night, because it seems like Tinker Bell is following close behind ... based on what we see here.

Check out this wild video that's almost too good to be real -- it shows what appears to be a fairy-like figure hovering around outside a home at night ... shining bright with yellow light in the dead of night, and whose tiny human legs are depicted quite clearly. Storytime!

No, but seriously ... assuming this isn't altered, ya gotta wonder what the hell this thing is. It sorta looks like Tinker Bell -- except, ya know ... she's only real when you go to Disneyland, or Neverland we suppose. But, based on this -- maybe she's reached the homeland 🤷🏽‍♂️

Watch it a few times and decide for yourself -- is it a giant firefly, or is it a magical little person with wings who can sprinkle dust and make you fly??? Hey, it's 2020, who the hell knows?

There is justice after all, at least in the case of the woman who viciously attacked an elderly woman inside a store ... all over -- you guessed it -- masks.

25-year-old Terri Thomas was arrested in Hackensack, NJ for aggravated assault after video surfaced, allegedly showing her attack the lady at a STAPLES who'd asked her to pull up her mask over mouth.... which sent Thomas into a rage.

The surveillance video shows the assault clear as day -- cops say it depicts Thomas circling back to the woman -- a 54-year-old who recently had a liver transplant. The older woman tries to fend her off with her cane, but it backfired.

The suspect grabbed the woman's cane and tossed her like a rag doll ... leaving the woman on the ground and writhing in pain as the suspect stormed out, mask half hanging off her mug. Cops say the woman suffered a fractured leg and required surgery.

We've been seeing these types of face-offs way too often lately -- people telling others they should follow safety guidelines and wear face coverings, only to be cussed out, accosted, threatened, and in some cases ... outright injured for doing the right thing.

Diddy’s son, King Combs, got smoked in his Ferrari by a Tesla, and though both drivers were okay, the guy in the Tesla got taken away in cuffs.

King was involved in a car accident a little after midnight in Bev Hills, when cops say a man in a Tesla speeding down Sunset Blvd. lost control and smashed into King's red Ferrari.

We're told Diddy's son suffered injuries, but was treated at the scene and didn't need to be taken to the hospital. He's super lucky, because both cars were totaled.

Law enforcement sources tell us the Tesla driver -- who can be seen taking a field sobriety test in the video -- was arrested for DUI.

King is the 22-year-old son of Diddy and Kim Porter, who died tragically in November 2018.

Roger Goodell's latest effort to fight for social justice is being challenged by California prosecutors ... who are demanding the NFL stop running a video about the police shooting of Stephon Clark.

The California District Attorneys Association fired off a letter Tuesday to the NFL Commissioner outlining why it believes the Stephon Clark Legacy video, "though well intentioned," also "performs a disservice instead of a public service by omitting the crucial facts which preceded Mr. Clark's tragic death."

Among the complaints made by the association's president, Vern Pierson, is that the video leaves out the fact the Sacramento County D.A. and California Attorney General came to the conclusion the 2 police officers involved in Stephon's 2018 death broke no laws.

As we reported, the Stephon video is the 5th PSA created by Inspire Change -- a joint initiative between the NFL and Jay-Z's Roc Nation which aims to raise awareness about racial injustice and improve police and community relations.

In the video, Stephon's mother, Se’Quette Clark, walks viewers through the horrific night he was killed, and talks about the need for new laws to prevent more tragic police-involved shootings.

You might recall, officers opened fire on Stephon in his grandmother's backyard, believing he was brandishing a weapon.

Stephon, of course, was holding a cell phone. He was shot 8 times ... with 6 of those bullets striking him in the back. But, another complaint from the association is the NFL's video fails to mention Stephon was fleeing police who suspected him of vandalism.

The association wants Goodell to "produce a video that accurately depicts the conduct of all concerned in an officer involved shooting."

Jeff Foxworthy's saying farewell to his massive Atlanta-area home, along with his furniture, memorabilia and personal items that fans and other folks may enjoy ... redneck or not.

The Blue Collar Comedy Tour star is moving out of his 12,000-sq.-ft mansion in Johns Creek, GA and downsizing to a smaller home ... so he's holding a huge estate sale.

Among Jeff's items up for grabs include autographed memorabilia from various comedy and entertainment projects, TV scripts, sports collectibles, fine furnishings, a Renaissance billiards table and ... 2 white-tailed deer mounts.

Alright, you might be a redneck if you want those hanging on your wall.

There's a whole lot more for sale too, and it's going down now until Saturday. For those around ATL who wanna stop by, just be sure to make an appointment.

The timing of the estate sale is interesting, because Foxworthy's new show -- "What's It Worth?" -- just premiered on A&E.

Detroit rapper 42 Dugg's wearing a new accessory, but there's no celeb jeweler involved this time -- instead, it's cops who've put a GPS monitor on him after he allegedly tried to evade police.

The rapper was busted Monday in Oakland County, Michigan nearly 2 months after cops say he fled from officers in a Detroit suburb ... according to Oakland County's chief assistant prosecutor Paul Walton.

Walton tells us cops tried to pull over a 2020 Chevy Tahoe that ran a stop sign back on June 5. We're told the Tahoe initially pulled over but took off when the cop approached the car, and actually managed to make a clean getaway.

Well, not all that clean. We're told the cop ran the plates and discovered it was a Hertz rental ... that was under a local promoter's name. A detective did some digging and found out Dugg is one of the promoter's clients.

Walton tells us the detective ultimately reviewed surveillance video in the area and identified 42 Dugg as the driver. The 25-year-old rapper was finally tracked down and booked for fleeing a police officer -- a third-degree felony.

Dugg eventually posted $20k bond but got a GPS ankle monitor as part of his conditional release. If convicted, the rapper faces up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine and suspension of his license for 1 year. He's due back in court next week.

Dugg is best known for his collabs with Lil Baby ... including "Grace" and "We Paid," which have more than 106 million YouTube views. We've reached out to Dugg, so far, no word back.

Dana White says the UFC is going back to Fight Island THIS YEAR -- and the destination is so popular with fighters -- Abu Dhabi will soon be the fight capital of the world!!

Yes, the UFC honcho tells TMZ Sports Fight Island was definitely NOT a 1-time thing ... 'cause he's already in the process of booking fights for the UFC's return to Yas Island in "September, October."

"Everybody wants to go there now. Octagon girls all wanna go there, everybody wants to go! We're working on fights right now for the next run," White tells us.

"Obviously, a lot of the big international stars will fight over there and s**t, I mean, this next trip over there, I'll probably end up being there for 5 weeks."

Of course, Dana put Fight Island together in mere months ... and it was the location for massive fights like Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway.

But, even though it was a smash hit -- there's a ton of work and cost associated with the F.I. cards -- and fans wondered if the UFC would ever go back.

Not only are they returning ... Dana says Fight Island will soon be the number 1 destination for combat sporting events across the world.

"I'm telling you right now, Abu Dhabi is gonna become the fight capital of the world! Place is gonna end up being the fight capital of the world. The stuff that we're doing over there, the infrastructure that's already been built, the stuff that we're talking about doing, this place is gonna be a destination."

Before this beauty dressed in blue was stealing the screen in movies and television, she was just another pip-squeak posing for the camera in Los Angeles, California.

This scrunchie sweetheart is best known for her reoccurring starring roles alongside Emma Roberts and Lea Michele in spooky shows that are sure to make you scream. She can also be seen in an epic space story in theaters where she got to act on set with her mom.

This little lady grew up with a famous mother and grandmother, who both passed away in December of 2016.

Paris Jackson is living quarantine life in the single lane now ... she's broken up with her BF, singer Gabriel Glenn.

Sources close to Paris tell TMZ ... she decided it was time for her to go solo. The breakup, we're told, was amicable as neither holds any anger or ill will. Our sources say the relationship just ran its course and it was something that just needed to happen.

As for what Paris will focus her attention on now ... our sources say she's been really invested in her music. She's been so invested, she's been at the studio practically every day. We last saw her out and about last week ... looking happy, mind you.

Paris, as you may know by now, had also been working on a Facebook Watch docuseries dubbed "Unfiltered: Paris Jackson & Gabriel Glenn." The 6-part docu-series debuted on June 30 and its final episode airs tonight. Paris and Gabriel have been dating since November 2018.

Over that time, they were usually out together ... often at L.A. music joints for Gabriel's gigs.

As we reported, she played best roadie GF for his gig at the Viper Room. And, remember ... Gabriel also stood by Paris' side during one of the most turbulent moments in her life.