David Ortiz Attack New Video Shows The Shooting ... And Motorcycle Crash

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Dominican Republic prosecutors have released new video that shows a different angle of a man shooting David Ortiz in the back ... as well as the motorcycle crash that followed the attack.

Prosecutors say 25-year-old Rolfi Ferreira Cruz and several others were paid around $8,000 to try to kill Big Papi in the D.R. last Sunday night.

Officials say the plan involved two cars and a motorcycle ... and they allege the new video they released late Wednesday shows the whole scene.

You can see in the vid ... two men arrive on the scene riding the same motorcycle, when one gets off near the nightclub that Ortiz is partying at.

The guy casually strolls up the sidewalk ... and then pulls out a gun and fires on the Red Sox legend's back. He then takes off, and gets back on the motorcycle with another man.

But, the new video shows the two men crashed to the pavement just yards away from the shooting ... with one of the men able to flee the scene.

Of course, the other man wasn't able to make a break for it ... getting caught by bystanders and then beaten to a pulp.

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PUMMELED IN THE STREETS

D.R. officials say they've arrested six men total in the plot to kill Ortiz so far ... and say there is still at least one man on the run.

As for Ortiz ... his wife, Tiffany, said in a statement Thursday, "David remains in guarded condition in the surgical intensive care following his second surgery. He continues to heal and make progress."

"David will continue to recover in the ICU and future updates on his condition will be provided when necessary."

Cuba Gooding Jr. Cuffed in NYC Charged in Groping Case

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CUBA IN CUFFS

4:48 PM PT -- Cuba was also charged with sexual abuse in the third degree.

1:11 PM PT -- Cuba was just escorted out of the building by cops.

12:30 PM PT -- Cuba's attorney, Mark Heller, just spoke claiming his client is totally innocent. Heller says he's analyzed more than 2 hours of video from the night and nothing shows him commit a crime.

11:45 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us Cuba has officially been charged with one count of misdemeanor forcible touching.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is under arrest for allegedly groping a woman in a Manhattan bar ... after following through with his plan to surrender to NYPD.

Cuba turned himself in Thursday afternoon to the Manhattan Special Victim's Unit. He arrived with with his attorney, Mark Heller ... and he's expected to be booked for forcible touching, a misdemeanor.

Heller told TMZ, on Wednesday, he had seen surveillance video from the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge, and felt it showed "no criminality" on Cuba's part. As a result, he said Cuba might not surrender. Obviously, something changed.

As we reported ... a woman called 911 early Monday morning alleging the Oscar winner touched her breast without consent Sunday night at the bar.

We got video of the actor partying it up at the bar with friends. We don't know if the alleged victim appears in the video.

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"I TRUST THE SYSTEM"

Cuba denies touching anyone inappropriately that night. He was flying out of LAX Tuesday night when he insisted nothing had happened that could even be misconstrued as groping.

Cops will take a mug shot, fingerprints and give Cuba a court date. We expect him to be released shortly thereafter.

Originally Published -- 11:18 AM PT

Kim Kardashian Helping Former Inmates Find Work ... With Free Transportation

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2:12 PM PT -- The press conference just ended and Kim made a major announcement … she’s involved in a rideshare partnership to give former inmates free rides to job interviews.

Kim says after spending time visiting prisons all over the country and talking with inmates on the inside and those who were recently released, one of their biggest hurdles is finding ways to get to job interviews and to work.

Meanwhile, the Prez announced a series of initiatives by the federal government and employers to help former inmates find work when they get back to their communities.

Kim Kardashian is back at the White House to talk prison reform, but this time she'll be making a speech alongside President Trump ... and TMZ is streaming it live.

Kim and the Prez are talking about the first prisoners released under the recently passed First Step Act ... and Trump is also expected to discuss hiring people with criminal records.

As you know, Kim and her legal team have been working diligently to free nonviolent prisoners who are spending life in prison for small drug crimes under Draconian sentences ... helping dozens of men and women gain their freedom.

Kim went to 1600 Penn. last year in the name of prison reform ... sitting down with POTUS in the Oval Office ... and now we're going to learn more about the fruits of their labor.

Their news conference is set to begin at 1 PM PT, and we'll have it all here.

Originally published -- 12:53 PM PT

UFC's Paige VanZant Grossest Surgery Pics Ever Blood, Flesh & Metal!!!

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** WARNING -- THIS THE GROSSEST THING YOU WILL SEE ALL DAY!!! **

SERIOUSLY ... IT'S SUPER GRAPHIC. YOU SEE BLOOD AND BONE AND A METAL ROD.

IF YOU'RE EATING ... PUT DOWN THE CHALUPA!!!

Okay ... breathe. Focus.

These are intensely graphic pictures from Paige VanZant's arm surgery -- where a metal rod was reinserted into her right forearm.

Remember, Paige initially jacked up the arm during her Jan. 2018 fight when she tried to hit Jessica Rose-Clark with a spinning back fist ... and caught her with the forearm instead.

She had two surgeries since but the arm still isn't 100% so she went under the knife again Thursday for another procedure in hopes of fixing it once and for all.

But, Paige loves to shock her audience and decided to go public with the in-surgery photos of the procedure -- which show the metal stabilizing rod being implanted next to her radius and ulna.

So, if you're a freak and enjoy looking at gross and graphic pics ... YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS!!!

And, if you have a weak stomach ... please enjoy the adorable pics of the St. Louis Blues puppy mascot we posted earlier today instead.

St. Louis Blues Team Puppy Gets Stanley Cup Swag ... Name On Cup Next?!?

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Remember that adorable puppy the St. Louis Blues adopted during the season and occasionally let loose on the ice??

... LOOK AT HIM NOW, HE'S ALL GROWN UP AND HE'S A CHAMPION!!!

If you're unfamiliar ... the Blues picked up Barclay, a Labrador Retriever, way back when he was the cutest puppy ever in October.

They let him skate around ... they played with him ... and adorable times were had by all.

But, turns out, the good boy ended up being a good luck charm ... because he helped the Blues' win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history Wednesday night!!!

Now, STL is rewarding Barclay for the good job he did this season ... giving him a championship hat -- and lobbying for his name to be inscribed on Lord Stanley!

"Hey @NHL," the Blues wrote on Twitter on Thursday ... "Barclay was wondering if he gets his name on the Cup, too?"

Of course, Barclay won't be with the team for too much longer ... they say they're training him to be a service dog that will eventually leave the team to help people in need.

Sad he won't be around the ice anymore? Here's some photos of baby Barclay that'll cheer you up ...

AWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Ortiz Wife Thanks 'Hero' Who Saved MLB Star's Life

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David Ortiz's wife is shouting out the man who raced the MLB star to the hospital -- crashing his own car in the process -- in the wake of Sunday's assassination attempt in the Dominican Republic.

"I want to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Eliezer Salvador, owner of Presidente Sports, for your quick thinking and swift action on Sunday night," Tiffany Ortiz said in a statement.

"Your heroism and selflessness were the first steps to ensuring David could get the urgent care he required. For that we are eternally grateful."

Salvador runs a sports betting firm in the D.R. and was at the scene when Big Papi was shot Sunday night. When Ortiz went down, Salvador quickly put the legend in his own car and raced to the hospital because he didn't want to wait for an ambulance.

Salvador says he raced at speeds of over 100 MPH and made the trip in under 7 minutes. He later made a social media video showing that he had David's jewelry so the family wouldn't worry.

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EVERYTHING'S ACCOUNTED FOR

Tiffany says the quick-thinking decision may have saved David's life.

Ortiz's wife also gave props to the doctors who worked on David.

"To the amazing surgeons, medical team, and staff at the Abel Gonzalez Clinic in the Dominican Republic, there are no words to express our gratitude for the amazing care you provided."

'Without you, our story could have had a tragic ending. You will forever be our guardian angels."

As for David's condition ...

"David remains in guarded condition in the surgical intensive care following his second surgery. He continues to heal and make progress."

"David will continue to recover in the ICU and future updates on his condition will be provided when necessary."

NFL's Zach Ertz Proud of Wife's 13-0 Soccer Win ... Keep Smashin' Em!

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"It would be a crime for them to take the foot off the gas!"

That's Eagles superstar Zach Ertz -- whose wife, Julie, is a stud on the US Women's National Team -- going scorched earth on soccer critics who say Americans ran up the score on Thailand!!

If ya missed it ... Alex Morgan and the U.S. ladies went OFF on the Thai team earlier this week in their World Cup opener -- piling on 13 goals in a shutout win.

The slaughter was met with backlash from fans all over the globe ... saying the USWNT shouldn't have run up the score so badly on such an inferior squad.

Enter Ertz ... who said to a group of reporters at his locker Wednesday that his wife and her teammates did absolutely nothing wrong -- and, in fact, should have kept scoring more!!!

"The first tie-breaker in the World Cup in the group stage is goal differential. So, it would be a crime for them to take the foot off the gas and then finish second in the group because they took the foot off the gas."

As for all the celebrating after the goals -- even when it was clear the U.S. team had won?? Ertz says he was fine with that too, saying it builds great team chemistry!!

For their part, the women have defended their actions ... with Morgan saying to ESPN on Wednesday, "I think it's disrespectful if we don't show up and give our best and play our game for 90 minutes."

"It's disrespectful to the Thai team. And, I believe they wanted us to play them straight-up."

STL Blues' Robby Fabbri From Stanley to Pappy ... Chugs $1,200 Booze!!!

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Who chugs Pappy Van Winkle straight from the bottle!?!?!

... STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS DO!!!!

Just ask St. Louis Blues center Robby Fabbri -- who grabbed a bottle of the ultra-rare Pappy Van Winkle rye and slammed it right after beating the brakes off the Boston Bruins!

FYI, Pappy Van Winkle products are the most sought-after whiskeys in the world ... a bottle of PVW Rye can run you about $1,200 -- and that's if you can even find one in the first place!!!!

Most people sip this stuff by the glass ... and that ain't cheap either!

But screw it, it's the Cup and Fabbri was ready to party!

Back in the locker room, the players went crazy too -- and even took a low key shot at the Bruins by playing "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys as they poured beers into the trophy.

It was a quick party for the Blues ... they hopped on the plane to get back to the fans with the shiny, new hardware ... and the Blues supporters lost their minds.

Congrats!

St. Louis Blues Fans Jump on Cars to Celebrate Stanley Cup

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FEELIN' WHEELY GOOD

St. Louis Blues fans went absolutely bonkers after winning the first title in franchise history ... hitting the streets and attacking anything with wheels!!

The Blues finished off the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final ... and the fans flooded the streets and hit the roofs of OCCUPIED cars to celebrate ... and tried their best to knock over a golf cart.

The fans kept the party going all night ... which is a great thing, 'cause the players showed up early Thursday morning with their new friend, Lord Stanley!!

The Blues players wasted no time getting back to the home crowd, celebrating in the locker room briefly before hoppin' on their jet and flying to St. Louis.

But don't worry, they also had their fun on the ice as well before going home ... Robby Fabbri was CHUGGING whiskey straight out of the bottle like a boss.

Team captain Alex Pietrangelo showed off the trophy while the fans went crazy ... despite it being 4:30 in the morning.

Central Park 5 Prosecutor Elizabeth Lederer Resigns from Columbia Law ... After Black Student Protest

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Elizabeth Lederer, the woman who prosecuted the Central Park 5, just resigned from her position as a professor at Columbia Law School amid heavy pressure from black students.

Lederer, the former Assistant D.A. who tried the infamous case back in 1989, resigned Wednesday. She was a part-time professor at Columbia but had come under fire since the Netflix series "When They See Us" debuted.

Lederer, played by Vera Farmiga in the series, worked alongside Linda Fairstein. As we've reported ... Fairstein has also caught flak and recently resigned from a nonprofit board of directors and the Board of Trustees at Vassar College. Her book publisher also dropped her.

The Black Law Students Association at Columbia called Lederer's actions in the CP5 case "racist" ... and pressured school administrators to remove her from the faculty.

So, essentially, Lederer fell on the sword.

David Ortiz Alleged Shooter Arrested ... Officials Say $8k Hit Ordered

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3:32 PM PT -- Dominican Republic police have released the mug shot of the man they say shot Big Papi, 25-year-old Rolfi Ferreira Cruz.

D.R. officials also announced they have now arrested SIX total people in connection with the attack on Ortiz ... and say there is at least 1 other suspect still on the run.

The man who allegedly shot David Ortiz has been arrested ... officials announced Wednesday -- saying the shooter, along with 5 other suspects, were paid 400,000 pesos to kill Big Papi.

As we previously reported, Ortiz was shot in the back on Sunday night as he was sitting in an outside patio area of a popular Dominican Republic nightclub.

D.R. cops say two young men drove up to the scene on a motorcycle ... when one of them got off to fire a single bullet into the Red Sox legend's lower back.

Cops say the guys tried to flee the scene on the bike afterward ... but when it fell to the pavement -- they tried to make a run for it on foot.

One of the guys -- the alleged shooter -- was able to escape ... but the other suspect, Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia, was beaten to a pulp on the scene by bystanders before he was handed over to cops.

Now, D.R. officials are saying they've caught the suspected shooter and arrested him ... and have also detained 3 additional people they say contributed to the ambush.

Officials say 6 total individuals were paid 400,000 pesos (the equivalent of $8K) to kill Ortiz in what they believe was a highly-orchestrated attack.

They say the ambush involved 2 vehicles and 1 motorcycle ... and announced 5 of the suspects are now in custody, but one remains at large.

A motive has yet to be determined.

During the press conference, officials also presented the gun they believe was used to shoot Ortiz.

Big Papi underwent surgery late Sunday night to repair the damage the bullet caused ... with surgeons saying they needed to remove his gallbladder and parts of his intestines.

David underwent a second procedure on Monday night after he returned back to Boston.

In a statement released Wednesday by Ortiz's wife, Tiffany Ortiz, she said, "His condition is guarded and he will remain in the ICU for the coming days, but he is making good progress towards recovery."

Originally published -- 1:33 PM PT

Kevin Durant Successful Achilles Surgery ... 'EASY MONEY'

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Kevin Durant just confirmed what everyone was hoping wouldn't be true -- he ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 of the Finals ... but made it clear he WANTED to play, despite still recovering from a calf injury.

The Warriors superstar posted a post-surgery pic on Wednesday ... saying everything went well and he's looking forward to the recovery process.

"Surgery was today and it was a success, EASY MONEY," Durant says.

"I got my family and my loved ones by my side and we truly appreciate all the messages and support people have sent our way."

KD's right calf popped during the 2nd quarter as Golden State took on the Toronto Raptors. There has been a lot of talk about whether KD should've even been on the court when the injury happened ... but he says it was his decision to play.

"Basketball is my biggest love and I wanted to be out there that night because that’s what I do. I wanted to help my teammates on our quest for the three peat."

KD says he gave it his all and is proud of his teammates for pulling out the win.

"It's going to be a journey but I'm built for this. I’m a hooper."

"I know my brothers can get this Game 6, and I will be cheering with dub nation while they do it."

Get well soon, KD!!

David Ortiz Sits Up And Takes Steps At Hospital ... Wife Says

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David Ortiz sat up and walked ... his wife, Tiffany Ortiz, says -- adding that Big Papi "is making good progress towards recovery."

The Boston Red Sox legend was shot in the back on Sunday night in the Dominican Republic ... and he's undergone multiple surgeries to fix the damage that the bullet caused.

But, Ortiz's wife says he's healing up ... saying Wednesday, "Yesterday and this morning, David was able to sit up as well as take some steps."

"His condition is guarded and he will remain in the ICU for the coming days, but he is making good progress towards recovery."

As we previously reported ... surgeons in the D.R. removed Ortiz's gallbladder as well as parts of his intestines -- and he required a second surgery when he arrived back in Boston on Monday night.

But, his wife says he's recuperating in the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital ... and added, “My family and I again want to thank everyone for their endless love and well wishes, and still ask for privacy while David continues to heal."

Khabib Nurmagomedov Conor Doesn't Deserve Rematch ... He Hasn't Won in 3 Yrs!!!

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Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor is a LOSER who doesn't deserve a rematch ... 'cause he ain't won a real fight in years.

Khabib and Dustin Poirier were in London promoting their UFC 242 match ... when The Eagle was asked about a rematch with McGregor -- and let's just say, if that's the fight Conor wants, it's not lookin' promising.

"Last 3 years he has only 1 victory in amateur boxing. How he deserve a rematch?" ... Khabib said.

"He tap. He beg me, 'please don't kill me.' And now he talk about rematch. Tony Ferguson on the line. People who have win streak on the line. Not the guy who don't win nothing last 3 years."

FYI -- Conor's last professional win was in November 2016 (942 days ago, to be exact) ... when he KO'd Eddie Alvarez.

The lightweight champ was also asked if he regretted the post-fight melee following the McGregor fight ... when he hopped the Octagon fence, jumped into the stands, and tried to fight Conor's friend, Dillon Danis.

Not only doesn't Khabib have any regrets ... he says he'd do it all over again if the opportunity presented itself.

"If I have chance 1 more time I'm gonna do this 1 more time, maybe 100 time. Doesn't matter."

These guys (still) hate each other.

Nick Van Exel Hilarious Iced Coffee Discovery ... 'It Tastes So Good'

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Ex-NBA player Nick Van Exel is just now finding out coffee doesn't have to be hot ... and we're so happy he did, 'cause it's the best thing on the internet today.

The Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach lost his iced coffee virginity on Saturday ... and the dude has been so obsessed ever since, he even tweets about it before he goes to bed at night.

Now, NVE is 47 years old ... so that means the dude went a LONG time without the delicious cold beverages ... and he's letting everyone know how pissed he is for not telling him sooner.

"Just wanted to let everybody know -- all my Twitter followers, everybody that's in my phone, my friends, my family -- real disappointed in y'all that y'all didn't let me know about iced coffee before," Van Exel says.

"Real disappointed, but since it tastes so good, i'll forgive y'all."

Wait 'til we tell him about iced cappuccinos.

Kevin Durant's Mom Warriors Star Is 'Having Rough Time' ... After Injury

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Kevin Durant's Achilles injury has the Warriors superstar down in the dumps ... so says his own mom, Wanda, who says, "He's having a rough time right now."

KD fought like to hell to return from a calf injury he suffered last month to play in Game 5 against the Raptors on Monday ... but he appeared to pop his Achilles just a few minutes into the 2nd quarter.

Wanda says the whole ordeal has taken a toll on her son ... saying on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday that KD ain't doing so well after the injury.

"Emotionally, it's a little tough for him," Wanda says ... "He's having a rough time right now."

Of course, the Durants are still waiting on MRI results to tell them how severe the injury is ... but Wanda says, "With the love of our faith and our God and our family, we're going to be okay."

Wanda was also asked if she thinks Warriors team doctors rushed Kevin back to play too soon ... but she said she needs more information on her son's injury to make that call.

"They said that he could play," Wanda says ... "And, so we still have to analyze that and see if they made the right decision. That's kind of up in the air right now."

As for her feelings on Toronto fans CHEERING when KD got hurt ... she wasn't too happy about that -- but says after she saw Raptors players telling them to stop, "All is forgiven."