Crime

9:00 AM PT -- Cops say they have identified 2 "persons of interest," and have questioned them ... but add there is no evidence they were involved in Jussie's attack. Neither has been charged with a crime.

While PD won't confirm the persons of interest are the ones in the dark, grainy image -- the ones Jussie says he's sure attacked him -- our law enforcement sources say the people in the image are the only people who were seen on camera the night of Jussie's attack.

Jussie Smollett says he's certain ... the 2 men in the surveillance photo released by police are way more than persons of interest ... they are the men who screamed homophobic and racist epithets at him, tied a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him and beat him.

Jussie appeared on 'GMA' Thursday, and was clearly frustrated some people don't believe his story.

The 2 men in the surveillance photo are considered "persons of interest" but not suspects by the Chicago PD. Cops tell us the video shows the 2 men on the other side of the street from Jussie, but there is a 60-second gap in the video.

Jussie went on to explain why he refused to give his phone to cops so they could validate his story that he was talking to his manager at the time of the attack and the manager heard it go down. Jussie explained he had various private photos, videos and phone numbers and did not want that data compromised.

He tells Robin Roberts about his injuries and why he kept the rope around his neck until police arrived.

21 Savage may be deported, and not because he's ineligible to stay in the United States ... it's because of Donald Trump.

We now understand MOST of what went down with 21's arrest and looming deportation. Here's how it goes.

Sources directly connected to the case tell TMZ ... the decision to arrest and deport 21 Savage was made months ago by the Atlanta bureau of ICE. At that time, ICE decided it would arrest Savage and hold him without bond until he could be deported.

As for why ICE wanted Savage held without bond, we've learned they incorrectly believed 21 had a felony conviction, which would have disqualified him from being able to post bond. As we reported, 21's 2014 drug conviction was vacated and sealed in the Fall -- which effectively erases it -- but court records weren't updated, so all ICE saw was the conviction.

Now, this is super weird ... we've learned just days ago ICE headquarters in Washington D.C. got involved in the case, and when they did, ICE had already figured out 21 was not a felon and therefore should have been released on bond. Our sources say ICE in D.C. IGNORED the fact that the conviction was erased and doubled down, saying 21 should NOT be released. No one we've spoken to has any idea why D.C. took such a position when it was not supported by the facts.

Keep reading ... we're getting to Trump.

We've confirmed ICE was on the scene with various other local and federal law enforcement agencies when 21 was arrested on Super Bowl Sunday with a plan to arrest him. We're told ATF first took 21 into custody and literally handed him over to an ICE agent on the spot.

Our ICE sources say they had no other involvement in the other arrests at the scene ... they were only there to arrest Savage. It is unclear why ICE needed to be part of that operation ... why didn't they just go to 21's home and arrest him in the months prior to the sting?

As we reported, 21's lawyers went to court Tuesday and convinced a judge to bond 21 out. As for next steps, 21's application to stay in the U.S. will be processed, and it's virtually certain it will be approved because he qualifies on every count. He has dependents in the country, he has no convictions, and he's been here more than 10 years. There are no obstacles in his way ... EXCEPT TRUMP.

Turns out Trump changed the immigration policies from Obama and Bush. We're told Trump's marching orders are to deport people who have a pending visa application -- even if it's a slam dunk -- and they can come back if and when it's approved.

We've learned, before 21 Savage was released Tuesday, ICE agents told him they would drop deportation proceedings if he voluntarily left the country. We're told he passed and will fight to stay.

BTW ... 21 filed his application to stay in the U.S. in 2017 and it takes around 4 years for ICE to process it, so the stakes are high.

Rapper YNW Melly has been arrested and charged in the double murder of two of his friends.

The Miramar Police Department announced Wednesday Melly -- real name Jamell Demons -- and Cortlen Henry have each been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to cops, Demons and Henry were involved in the killings of two men in October.

Cops say after their investigation, it was determined Demons shot the men and then he and Henry staged the crime scene to look like a drive-by shooting.

YNW took to his Instagram just before turning himself in to police, saying, "To all my fans and supporters ... I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y'all, a couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice.. unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me."

Cops say it was forensic evidence that linked the two men to the crime.

YNW Melly was an up-and-coming rapper who most recently was among several rappers working with Kanye West on his new album in Miami.

You wouldn't blame Usher for being rattled less than 24 hours after he narrowly avoided a run-in with armed robbers during a recording session ... however, he seems totally unfazed by it.

Usher was out Wednesday in L.A. when a photog asked him about the harrowing experience. TMZ broke the story ... the singer was at the same WeHo recording studio as Rich The Kid when a suspect pistol-whipped the rapper and his entourage.

Ush still won't say anything about the experience, but did have a message for any fans concerned about his well-being.

As we reported ... the suspect or suspects made a clean getaway after opening fire Tuesday outside Westlake Recording Studio. We're told they made off with stacks of cash and jewelry.

Ex-Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle adamantly denied rape allegations in court Tuesday ... saying he didn't commit a crime because, "she never said no."

The former NFL player was arrested last September in Sedgwick County, Kansas for allegedly raping a woman for hours ... and was later hit with 11 charges including rape and aggravated criminal sodomy.

He appeared in court Tuesday to face the charges ... and told a judge he was innocent, saying, "She didn’t tell me. She never said nothing. She never said no. So how am I supposed to know?”

The alleged victim said otherwise ... testifying that Randle had gotten drunk, punched her in the face and forced her to have sex with him.

The woman claims she was able to escape ... and half-nakedly ran to her neighbor's home to call 911.

A Wichita Police officer testified in court Randle reeked of booze when he showed up to the scene.

Randle adamantly denied everything ... yelling at the judge multiple times -- which caused the judge to fire back at the ex-RB for speaking out of turn.

Randle did not enter a plea -- the arraignment portion of his hearing has been postponed to a date later this month.

His defense attorneys argue the 27-year-old -- who's been in and out of jail and mental health facilities for months -- isn't mentally competent to stand trial at this time.

The judge said he didn't agree ... but acknowledged Randle's mental health issues could be brought up in the case at a later date.

2/13 -- We just spoke to Mystikal, and he tells us he's grateful for the opportunity to get back to being a father and creating music. He says being on the outside again is a surreal feeling.

The rapper tells us he spent a lot of his time behind bars writing memoirs and music, and fine-tuning songs he had written before but never released.

Mystikal's getting a taste of freedom ... after spending 18 months behind bars on rape charges, he's finally posted a very hefty bond ... TMZ has learned.

Mystikal's attorneys tell us the rapper was able to scrape together $3 million for the bond ... securing his release from a Louisiana prison. We're told the money came from an advance for a new recording deal, and funds raised by Mystikal's family and friend.

TMZ broke the story ... Mystikal -- real name Michael Tyler -- was ironing out the final details last month. He'd been behind bars since August 2017 when he was booked for first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping.

Mystikal's attorney, Tim Yazbeck, tells TMZ ... "It's been a long time coming for Mike, but now he can get back to being the artist he is, doing what he loves, and seeing his kids again."

The rapper's now free until his pending trial in May.

Mystikal's other legal eagle, Joel Pearce, tells TMZ ... they're confident in their case. Pearce said, "Based on all of the evidence we have, we strongly believe that an amicable resolution is not only possible but probable as an outcome in this case and that Michael Tyler will never be made to return to jail for a crime he didn't commit."

8:45 PM PT -- We just got Usher leaving the studio ... the singer appeared fine but didn't have anything to say about the shooting.

6:58 PM PT -- Reps for Rich the Kid tell us the rapper is doing okay after the incident.

Rich the Kid and his entourage came under attack Tuesday afternoon at a famous West Hollywood studio, where Usher was also recording ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple shots were fired -- possibly as many as 10 -- during the incident at Westlake Recording Studio ... according to eyewitnesses. We're told the man who opened fire was running away from the studio when he started shooting behind him.

Law enforcement sources tell us Usher was in the studio, but not hurt.

We're told Rich was outside when it all went down, and it appears he was the target of the robbery. Multiple entourage members were also attacked, and at least one bodyguard was badly pistol whipped.

L.A. County Sheriff's deputies are swarming the studio and surrounding blocks right now, searching for suspects and collecting evidence. It's unclear if anyone was hit when the shots were fired, but we're told the suspect or suspects made off with a ton of cash and jewelry.

BTW ... Rich the Kid posted this pic of himself 4 hours ago, flaunting stacks of cash while standing in front of a Lambo. Coincidentally, he captioned it, "For motivational purposes only."

Unfortunately, this is nothing new for Rich. You'll recall he was badly injured during an armed home invasion robbery last summer in downtown Los Angeles.

His GF, Tori Brixx, was also injured during the attack, and the suspects ... once again, made off with cash and jewelry.

Westlake Recording Studio is a famous spot in the music biz -- Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Shakira, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Quincy Jones have all recorded there over the years.

21 Savage is about to be a free man because he'll finally be released on bond pending a deportation hearing.

21's lawyers, Charles H. Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro tell TMZ, "21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters -- he says that while he wasn't present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and is grateful for the support from around the world and is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together."

The statement from 21's legal team ends with, "He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people, he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them."

Savage was arrested on Super Bowl Sunday by ICE. As we reported, he was in the process of attempting to get a U-Visa.

His attorneys say 21 was granted an expedited hearing.

It's unclear why ICE held 21 for so long because, by all rights, he should have been allowed to bond out the day he was arrested. He was neither a flight risk nor a danger to his community, which is the standard for holding someone in jail pending a deportation hearing.

A massive social media campaign titled "21 Ways You Could Be Detained If You're Undocumented in America" just dropped with tons of celebs in support of Savage. Stars like Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, DJ Khaled, Jesse Williams, SZA, J. Cole, T.I., Future, Mike Tyson and America Ferrera lend both their voices and faces to the project. Mic originated the #21Ways campaign and produced the video.

11:35 AM PT -- The sketch artist in the courtroom caught the moment El Chapo and his wife exchanged thumbs-up after the verdict was announced.

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is guilty on all 10 counts he was facing in a Brooklyn federal court ... and he's now facing life in prison.

A jury of 7 women and 5 men returned the verdict Tuesday to wrap up a nearly 3-month long criminal trial that included up to 200 hours of testimony about drug trafficking, gold-plated AK-47s, diamond-encrusted pistols ... and an alleged $100 million payment to a former Mexican president.

After 6 days of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Chapo for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds, international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs and use of firearms.

Reporters in the courtroom say Chapo looks stunned by the verdict, and his wife, Emma Coronel, fought back tears ... even as she and Chapo gave each other thumbs up.

It's been a wild ride for the Sinaloa Cartel's leader over these past few years. He was captured by the Mexican government in 2014, escaped more than a year later through a mile-long underground tunnel ... but got caught again in early 2016.

He was extradited to the U.S. in 2017, and between then and last November -- when his criminal trial got underway -- there have been a series of weird motions and rulings about his life behind bars. Just to name a few, Chapo has had prison TV woes, prayer problems, love letter recommendations and made a heartfelt promise NOT to kill his anonymous jurors.

Law enforcement sources tell us Chapo is looking at a mandatory life sentence ... without parole. Sentencing will be announced June 25.

Chapo's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman -- who's in the unenviable position of losing the case -- tells us, "We're very disappointed but we fought like hell and left it all on the battlefield."

11:20 AM PT -- As for the redacted information, the rep says, "Any redacted information was intended to protect the privacy of personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack.

10:15 AM PT -- A rep for Jussie tells us, "Jussie is the victim here, which has been stated by the Superintendent of Police. Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police. Chicago PD has repeatedly informed us that they find Jussie's account of what happened that night consistent and credible."

The rep continues, "Superintendent Johnson has been clear from day one that Jussie is a victim. We are continuing to work closely with the Chicago PD and remain confident that they will find Jussie's attackers and bring them to justice."

Jussie Smollett's submitted critical phone records to Chicago police, but those records have been rejected because they're not the real deal.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... what Jussie turned in 2 weeks after his alleged attack was a heavily redacted PDF file of his phone bill. Our sources say a PDF is subject to manipulation, meaning numbers can be added or deleted, although police are quick to point out there's no evidence they were in fact manipulated. The problem ... the only solid, irrefutable evidence is either the actual phone bill or a download of Jussie's phone.

As we reported, Jussie says he was on the phone with his manager at the time of the attack and the manager says he heard the racial and homophobic epithets. Chicago PD wants the phone records to authenticate a call was made. They asked Jussie for the records 2 weeks ago and received the PDF Monday.

Police say there are cameras everywhere in the area of Jussie's building, but there is still a 60-second gap in the video where you don't see the "Empire" star. So far there's no video of the attack.

Our sources say police have also retrieved security video from nearby stores to see if anybody bought rope around the time of the incident. Police are reviewing the video.

Police say Jussie remains cooperative and they are treating him as the victim of a hate crime.

As you know, Jussie says his attackers tied a rope around his neck ... police say there's video of Jussie with a rope around his neck in the lobby. They are not saying if the rope is around his neck outside the building because they say that would interfere with the investigation.

2/12 6:55 AM PT -- YB and Thigpen were just released on bond.

3:35 PM PT -- According to cops, YB and a female companion named Starr Thigpen were hanging out in a hotel room that "was supposed to be unoccupied." Housekeeping entered the room, and YB allegedly told Thigpen to get them out ... that's when Thigpen attacked one of the maids, striking her in the face.

The police report -- obtained by TMZ -- states the fight spilled into the hallway until the housekeeper could get away and call the cops. When cops arrived, both YB and Thigpen were arrested.

NBA YoungBoy just got busted in Atlanta, and he's set to appear before a judge Tuesday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the Louisiana-born MC is currently locked up at the Atlanta City Detention Center, where he's been booked for three misdemeanors -- possession of weed (less than an ounce), use of fighting words and physical obstruction with another.

His bond hasn't been set yet, but he's got a court hearing early Tuesday morning. Details on the arrest are unclear, but an eyewitness tells us he was busted along with a female companion.

You'll recall ... YB was indicted last year for allegedly beating the hell out of his then-girlfriend, and one of the charges he faced was felony kidnapping.

We posted video of the alleged assault, captured on a hotel surveillance camera.

Originally Published -- 3:19 PM PST

Notre Dame wide receiver Javon McKinley was arrested Sunday morning after cops say he drunkenly tried to fight TWO officers, one of whom is a woman ... according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

McKinley was a STUD coming out of high school a few years back -- where he shattered many California single-season records. He had 91 catches for 1,906 and 20 TDs as a junior!

But, the 20-year-old is now in major hot water after cops say he battered 2 officers in a drunken attack.

According to court records, Notre Dame University Police officers were dispatched to help out a male who had passed out in the back of an Uber at 3:50 AM.

The officers identified the man as McKinley and tried to help him to his dorm -- noting he reeked of booze.

But, cops say during the walk to his room, McKinley freaked out, punched a male and a female officer and tried to flee.

Cops eventually located McKinley and took him into custody with the help of ND firefighters.

Both officers claim McKinley injured them when he punched them.

Now, McKinley is facing 3 charges -- 2 counts of misdemeanor battery and 1 count of misdemeanor underage drinking.

He's due in court Tuesday to be arraigned.

9th Wonder says XXXTentacion absolutely deserved to be part of the Grammys' In Memoriam segment, because the guy left a musical legacy that's bigger than life.

The legendary hip-hop producer made no bones about it Monday at LAX, where he told us Grammy producers missed an opportunity to include someone who gave a lot to the industry and changed lives ... adding that every big artist deserves recognition in death.

9th -- who's worked with Jay-Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and MANY other giants -- says X's impact on the culture is undeniable ... citing even his own son as proof the controversial MC was making waves before his tragic murder.

He suggests X's exclusion might have something to do with older Recording Academy members not knowing X -- but adds there were plenty of far less famous people honored on screen.

Our photog raised the issue that's reportedly the real reason X didn't make the cut -- his many legal issues and allegations of domestic violence.

Angela Simmons' ex-fiance went down in a hail of bullets when he was murdered ... TMZ has learned.

We knew Sutton Tennyson was shot multiple times back in November, but now his autopsy reveals the exact number of fatal shots was 13 ... to his chest, stomach, legs and arms. The Fulton County Medical Examiner says 3 of the shots did an "enormous amount of damage" to his heart ... piercing several chambers of the organ.

Other shots were lodged in Sutton's lungs, and pierced his stomach and spleen. Nine of the shots penetrated his body, and 4 only cut or grazed him.

As we reported, Sutton -- the father of Angela's 2-year-old son -- was in his Atlanta driveway when he got into an argument with Michael Williams, who cops say opened fire, then fled in a car. Witnesses told police the men were arguing about money.

When drug kingpin El Chapo's verdict comes down, law enforcement at the courthouse will be ready for the worst case scenario after running drills for an active shooter crisis ... TMZ has learned.

According to sources at the Brooklyn Federal Court where El Chapo's trial is going down ... U.S. Marshals led courthouse staffers through a mandatory active shooter drill the week before jury selection began back in the fall.

We're told certain employees were chosen to pretend they'd been shot -- while others would try to fight back. Some drills were run with a single shooter, and others with multiple shooters. We're told the Marshals timed how long it took them to apprehend the culprit.

The drills took the court staff by surprise. One source, who's worked at the court for years, tells us they'd never seen anything like it ... even though they've had tons of high profile cases there.

Of course, El Chapo is a different beast altogether due to drug cartel connections, and the fact he's escaped custody multiple times in the past.

The jurors been partially sequestered while in deliberations, and the verdict could be handed down this week. As you know, El Chapo is facing life in prison.

MMA fighter Josh Copeland -- who just fought (and lost) in the $1 MILLION match at PFL 11 -- was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly punching his wife so hard in the face, he left her bloodied and bruised.

It's all detailed in the police report obtained by TMZ Sports ... law enforcement in Adams County, Colorado raced to the couple's home on Feb. 2 after reports of an attack.

When they arrived at the home, Copeland's wife had "an obvious bruise on her left eye, a cut and was bleeding. There was blood down the front of her face and neck."

Copeland's wife said the two had been arguing -- when 36-year-old Josh pushed her so she pushed him back.

The two continued to attack each other -- with Copeland's wife admitting she slapped him in the face multiple times.

Finally, Copeland's wife said the 6'1", 265-pound fighter "then punched her in the face" and threw her on the bed. She says Copeland also took her phone so she couldn't call for help. Cops say they later found her phone in Josh's pocket.

Cops say Josh had redness and blood on his face -- but did not remember punching his wife.

Copeland's wife was transported to a nearby hospital. Josh was arrested and booked for second-degree assault, obstruction and child abuse ... since the whole incident allegedly took place in front of their child.

Copeland is due back in court next week.

Copeland is 18 and 6 as a pro-MMA fighter -- and even had a stint in the UFC in 2014 and 2015.