Joan Cusack Ticketed After Chicago Car Wreck ... Allegedly Going Too Fast

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Joan Cusack got written up by cops in Chicago this weekend after she slammed into another car ... this after allegedly peeling out of her place of business.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that the actress -- who's John Cusack's older sister, and who runs a tchotchke shop there in Chi-Town -- was issued a citation Saturday after an accident unfolded that police apparently felt Joan had caused.

We're told the ticket was for driving too fast for the conditions -- although it's unclear exactly what that means. What we do know is that the aftermath was caught on camera.

Based on this video, obtained by TMZ, you can see four young women being attended to by first responders alongside their Honda -- which definitely looks dinged up -- and Joan standing by next to her pickup truck ... looking pretty annoyed by the whole thing.

The people who shot this seem to think they know what happened ... essentially, it looks like a T-bone collision -- but, again, we don't know for certain how this went down. The cops are saying that Joan was simply trying to enter a parking space when she struck a sedan.

Chicago PD doesn't offer much more of a description beyond that. The only other observation was that there weren't any serious injuries, and that Joan was the one who got dinged, legally.

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

Drake Bell BROTHER TOLD COPS HE WAS SUICIDAL Over Child Custody Issue

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Drake Bell's brother is the one who first got police involved in his missing person case ... telling cops Drake was threatening suicide in response to child custody issues with his estranged wife.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Drake's brother, Robert, called Orlando PD Wednesday night to say Drake was making suicidal statements about wanting to hang himself and not wanting to be alive anymore.

Drake's brother told police Drake was in Winter Park, FL to visit Janet, his estranged wife, and discuss their custody agreement for their son. Drake and Janet separated back in January.

Drake's brother told cops Drake was "distraught and made suicidal statements" in texts to their mother. He allegedly said he didn't want to live anymore, was going to drink excessively and hang himself.

He says he tried to make Drake come to his senses but he wasn't receptive ... so, Robert decided to call police.

TMZ broke the story ... Drake was reported missing Thursday, with police in Florida saying he was MIA and "considered missing and endangered."

On a 911 call from the case, an Orlando officer called another department for help locating Drake, characterizing the situation as a "possible attempted suicide." He repeated what Robert had told them about Drake's suicidal texts to family members on the West Coast.

As we first reported, we know Drake was hanging out with his son Tuesday at SeaWorld in Orlando. It's unclear what the custody issues are between Janet and Drake.

As you know ... Drake was ultimately found safe and sound shortly after being reported missing. Hours later, on Thursday evening, he tweeted, "You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night and this?"

Despite that attempt to make it seem like this was much ado about nothing, law enforcement tells TMZ ... deputies took action Thursday to ensure Drake receives a mental health evaluation.

Drake's attorney had no comment.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

'Dallas' Star Victoria Principal Malibu Home Compromised By Trespassers

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Victoria Principal's private home became an unwanted open house this week -- courtesy of a couple of alleged trespassers who claimed they saw the place was for sale online and were told they could take a tour ... this according to law enforcement.

Cops say officers were called to the "Dallas" star's Malibu property Monday after a man and woman were spotted by security on surveillance cameras breaking through a gate and wandering onto the grounds.

Our sources say Principal's security lost sight of the pair, which made them think they might've broken into the home -- so we're told the call was upgraded to a possible burglary.

When cops arrived, they found the couple ... and cops say their explanation to officers was that they thought the crib was for sale -- claiming they'd seen an ad for it online and thought they'd pay the place a visit in person for a closer look.

We're told they even showed cops something they said was proof of a conversation between the couple and an unknown person on Craigslist trying to sell the home ... even giving instructions on how to get in.

Principal -- who wasn't home -- was contacted ... and our sources say she denied the house was for sale and insisted the couple had no business being there. We're told only one of them ended up being cited for vandalism ... and that they were released without incident.

Drake Bell Threatened Suicide After Falling Out With Wife ... According To 911 Call

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Drake Bell had a falling out with his estranged wife and told his family he was going to get drunk and hang himself ... at least according to the 911 call in which he was reported missing.

TMZ obtained the 911 call, where someone from Orlando PD explains why cops were deeply concerned for Drake's well-being.

The officer is speaking with another department, trying to get a location on Drake's cell phone, characterizing the situation as a "possible attempted suicide" and saying ... "Basically, there is a celebrity who had a falling out with his wife."

Cops in Orlando say they got involved because they were told Drake was in an Orlando hotel room and had been texting family back in California, threatening suicide.

TMZ broke the story ... Drake was reported missing by police in Florida on Thursday, with Daytona Beach police saying he was MIA and was "considered missing and endangered."

Cops said Drake was last seen Wednesday night, driving a 2022 gray BMW ... and we obtained a photo of him with his son Tuesday at SeaWorld in Orlando.

Drake was ultimately found safe and sound Thursday afternoon, and he later addressed the issue on social media, saying ... "You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night and this?"

Given the content of the 911 call, and the situation, it seems like cops did the right thing.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Texas Justice Man Gets 70 Years for Spitting at Cops!!!

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Everything really is bigger in Texas ... including prison sentences, because a man is potentially going to spend the rest of his life behind bars for spitting at police officers during his arrest.

A Lubbock jury handed down the headline-grabbing punishment Wednesday for 36-year-old Larry Pearson ... who was found guilty of 2 counts of harassment of a public servant.

Prosecutors say Pearson spit at 2 Lubbock PD officers who arrested him in May 2022 on domestic violence charges after a woman told cops Pearson hit her in the face.

According to prosecutors, Pearson was upset the alleged victim was not arrested instead, and started kicking at the doors in the cop car where he was being held ... and he spit at the officers when they opened the car door.

Prosecutors say the spitting didn't end there ... claiming Pearson kept hocking loogies upon arrival at the Lubbock County Detention Center.

During the trial's closing arguments, prosecutor Jessica Gorman asked jurors to consider a sentence that would "send a message" to not only Pearson, but also society ... and he ended up getting 70 years.

Pearson also had prior convictions for family violence and aggravated robbery, and, as a result, the minimum sentence the jury could impose was 25 years.

The guy's no angel, for sure, but there's a huge gap between 25 and 70 years! And, for a crime like spitting ... that seems extreme. Even in Texas.

Meanwhile, Pearson's defense attorney Jim Shaw pushed for a lighter sentence, telling jurors this case was about a "simple misdemeanor" that spiraled "out of control."

Drake Bell No Longer Missing, Talking to Cops

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UPDATE

6:44 PM PT -- Drake Bell posted on Twitter saying, "You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night and this?"

UPDATE

10:32 AM PT -- Drake Bell has been found ... TMZ has learned.

UPDATE

Law enforcement sources tell us cops are in touch with the actor, and we're told he is safe. It's still unclear where he was, or why exactly cops feared for his safety.

UPDATE

9:46 AM PT -- We've now learned Drake was with his son on Tuesday ... they were together at SeaWorld in Orlando.

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UPDATE

A witness in the park tells TMZ ... he approached Drake briefly to tell him he was a fan. He says Drake was nice and soft-spoken, but seemed fine.

Drake Bell has been reported missing, and cops are deeply concerned for his well-being.

Daytona Beach police have declared Drake MIA, saying, "He is considered missing and endangered."

He was last seen driving a 2022 grey BMW Wednesday at around 9 PM, somewhere in the area of Mainland High School. Some people online think this is all a hoax, but cops say it's definitely real.

Drake has had lots of troubles since his time on Nickelodeon's "Drake & Josh." He just completed his probation over an attempted child endangerment case, in which he pled guilty. He allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct in a club where he was scheduled to perform with a girl under 18, with whom he allegedly had an online relationship.

He's faced other accusations over the years, including a 2015 DUI arrest and alleged abuse by a woman who had a 5-year relationship with the actor.

Drake also filed for bankruptcy back in 2014.

Anyone with information about Drake's whereabouts is urged to contact the Daytona Beach Police Dept. at (386) 671-5207.

Originally Published -- 7:24 AM PT

Colorado Rockies Mascot Tackled During Game ... Police Launch Investigation

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Police are on the hunt for a man who tackled the Colorado Rockies' mascot during a game on Monday ... believing he committed an assault with his surprising actions.

The incident happened at some point during the Rockies' game against the Cardinals at Coors Field ... when Dinger, Colorado's purple dinosaur cheerleader, hopped up on a dugout to fire up the crowd.

Suddenly, though, as Dinger was dancing around ... video shot by a fan in the stands shows a man jumped up and took the costumed character to the ground.

The moment initially seemed staged ... but, quickly, it was revealed it was anything but that.

The fan who shot the video suspected the man was inebriated ... writing in a caption on the video, "Boooo, drunk guy. [Love] you, Dinger!"

The Denver Police Dept. became aware of the incident shortly after it happened ... and confirmed to TMZ Sports it's now investigating it all as part of an assault case.

"We are working with our partners at the Colorado Rockies to identify the suspect," a DPD spokesperson told us on Thursday morning.

No arrests have been made yet ... but cops are urging anyone with information to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

It's not yet known if the person in the mascot suit was injured ... the Rockies have yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Music Exec David Bolno Woman Found Dead in His Miami Hotel Room ... Cops Investigate, He's Not Person of Interest

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A Hollywood music exec, David Bolno, who's repped Justin Bieber, Drake and Post Malone, is in the middle of a death investigation after a potential artist was found dead in a Miami Beach hotel room.

Bolno had a room at the luxurious Setai hotel/condo building on March 30, and Laura Lozano's body was discovered there on March 30. According to a Miami Beach PD report, obtained by TMZ, she was found in the area of the bathtub around 1:22 PM.

Bolno was not there at the time ... police say surveillance video shows him leaving by himself at 4:35 AM. Hotel staffers called Bolno when check-out time came and went, and he told them he'd already left ... but added there was a woman in the room who needed to leave. David paid for several rooms, including Lozano's, and although he was in her room, he visited her there but wasn't staying in it.

According to cops, hotel staffers went to the room and that's when they found Lozano unresponsive. Hotel security did CPR and called the fire department ... when they arrived she was pronounced dead.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... officers did recover an "unknown substance" which they suspect to be narcotics. Police are awaiting the results of toxicology to determine Lozano's cause of death.

As for Bolno ... he told Daily Mail Lozano's death was a "terrible tragedy" and she was staying in his room "because she was recording music the night before. She's a client and she was going to sign a record deal with me. I helped her make music."

Our sources tell us there's evidence Lozano was alive around 8 AM, because she ordered room service.

Bolno was trying to sign Lozano to his L.A.-based management firm, NKSFB, where he is currently a partner. NKSFB bills itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in the nation.

We're told Bolno has been cooperating with police investigating Lozano's death, and he's not considered a person of interest.

Variety reported in 2020 that Bolno's client list included not only Justin Bieber, Drake and Post Malone, but also Pharrell Williams, Will.i.am and Scooter Braun.

Jorge Masvidal Cops Gave Colby Covington Special Treatment ... During '22 Altercation

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Jorge Masvidal says he ain't getting a fair shake in his aggravated battery case ... claiming in new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, that Colby Covington received preferential treatment from cops during their altercation in Miami last year.

In the docs, Masvidal says he has evidence that on several occasions during their confrontation on March 21, 2022, outside of a popular restaurant ... Covington was treated with "favoritism" by the Miami Beach Police Department.

Specifically, Masvidal says after the alleged attack ... Covington did not call 911 -- but instead phoned a high-ranking MBPD sergeant who was the UFC star's "pal and training partner ... so he could receive concierge police intervention."

Masvidal claims after Covington called the sergeant, the officer then radioed the matter into the station as a "Code 3" -- which, according to Masvidal, is "reserved for shooting and active dangerous felonies." Masvidal also says the sergeant "made additional calls to individual officers to 'get over immediately' to the scene" -- while also diverting "over 20 officers from their duties and responsibilities" to make sure they got Covington help.

In addition, Masvidal says Covington made a statement during a podcast interview prior to the street encounter that he "rolls with the Miami Beach Police Department" -- which Masvidal claims further proves he may have gotten special treatment on the night of the alleged attack.

Masvidal's attorney, Bradford Cohen, now wants several things -- including Covington's podcast comment -- to be admitted into evidence for the UFC fighter's impending trial in the case ... believing it will help prove his client is getting a raw deal.

"From our investigation and witness depositions it's clear that protocol was not followed that evening and Mr. Covington received preferential treatment," Cohen said in a statement this week. "Sadly, the people of Miami Beach that needed an officer that night, at that time probably suffered due to over 15 officers responding to a misdemeanor offense."

We've reached out to the Miami Beach Police Department for comment -- but so far no word back yet.

As we previously reported, Masvidal is facing serious jail time in the case after he was hit with charges of felony aggravated battery and felony criminal mischief following allegations that he punched Covington twice in an ambush outside of Papi Steak.

Meanwhile, Covington -- who claims to have suffered a brain injury, a chipped tooth, and a damaged Rolex watch in the attack -- appears to have recovered from the altercation ... as he's been rumored to be the next opponent for UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

The next hearing in Masvidal's case has been set for early May.

Louisville Bank Shooting 911 Calls from Employees, Shooter's Mom Describe Horror of Mass Shooting

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CRIES FOR HELP

We're now getting more details into the horror that unfolded inside a Louisville bank Monday ... as 911 calls paint a picture of panic and desperation.

The Louisville PD just released a series of calls from the attack, including one from a woman who is absolutely hysterical as she describes watching the shooting from a remote video call. The woman tells the 911 operator she was on a video call meeting with staffers inside the Old National Bank when she could hear gunshots ring out and staffers scramble.

The woman describes in terrifying detail how she witnessed the shooter enter the conference room she was chatting with, as her coworkers were shot.

Another call comes in from a bank employee hiding inside a closet as she bravely gives the operator a description of the shooter, who she recognized as a coworker. The woman is able to remain extremely calm and stay quiet as she provides extremely helpful info to operators.

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CONCERNED CALL FROM MOM

The shooter's mother can be heard on another call, telling 911 she was alerted to her son's alarming behavior by his roommate ... saying he was armed and headed toward the bank. The operator informs her of a situation already happening at the bank, and tells her not to drive toward it.

The calls are sickening, and just another example of the continuous horror everyday people are having to live through as gun violence and mass shootings rip through the country without serious action.

LOUISVILLE BANK MASSACRE Training, Mindset Helped Hero Cops Take Down Shooter ... Says Retired FBI Agent

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Retired FBI agent Greg Shaffer says hours of training and the right mentality helped the hero cops disarm the man who was shooting up a Louisville bank.

Greg, an active shooter prevention expert with 20 years of experience at the FBI, joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live," and explained just how difficult it is for police officers to deal with a situation like this, where they can't see the shooter.

Shaffer says the cops clearly had what he calls a "stop the killing before you stop the dying" mindset ... noting how Officer Cory "CJ" Galloway made a split-second decision to go after the shooter, even though his partner, Officer Nickolas Wilt, had just been shot in the head.

As Greg explains, Galloway did the right thing by taking cover and exchanging gunfire with the shooter ... ultimately taking down the killer, all while knowing his partner was in dire straits.

Greg says Galloway mentally stayed in the fight until the threat was neutralized, then went to aid his partner ... telling us it's textbook police training.

Officer Wilt was only 10 days out of the police academy when he responded to the scene ... and he remains hospitalized in critical condition, fighting for his life.

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CRIES FOR HELP

Greg says cops have to rely on their training when dealing with active shooters ... and he's also got some tips for citizens to survive such horrifying scenarios.

Louisville Bank Massacre Body Cam Shows Cops Rush into Building ... Shooter Opens Fire

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The heroic actions of the cops who put their lives on the line in Louisville as a mass shooter opened fire are now being seen by the public for the first time in newly released body cam video.

In a press conference Tuesday, The Louisville Metro Police Department released a series of videos -- including two body cams from officers Nickolas Wilt and Cory "CJ" Galloway who were first to the scene Monday at Old National Bank.

Galloway immediately grabs a rifle from the trunk of his cruiser, and both officers head up the stairs to the bank's entrance. They're met almost immediately by gunfire from the shooter inside the building, and Wilt is struck in the head ... Galloway takes cover behind a pillar.

After a few minutes, more officers arrive on the scene and try to get to Wilt to pull him to safety. The shooter opens fire on the officers again, this time breaking glass in front of the bank and giving Galloway an angle on the shooter, shooting and killing him.

The shooter, 23-year-old Connor Sturgeon, an employee of the bank, killed 5 people in the massacre -- all of which were also bank employees.

As of Tuesday, Officer Wilt -- who was only 10 days out of the police academy -- remains hospitalized and fighting for his life in critical condition.

Nick Carter Sued By Dream Singer Melissa Schuman For Sexual Assault, Battery

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UPDATE

4:35 PM PT -- Nick's attorney, Liane K. Wakayama tells us, "Melissa Schuman has been peddling this tale for many years, but her allegation was false when she first made it back in 2017 - and it still is. A judge in Nevada recently ruled, after reviewing the extensive evidence we laid out, that there are strong grounds for Nick Carter to proceed with his lawsuit against Ms. Schuman for plotting to damage, defame and extort Nick, his associates, his friends and his family."

UPDATE

Liane continues, “In light of our progress in Nevada, this kind of response is at once both predictable and pathetic. But this PR stunt won’t shake Nick from his determination to hold Ms. Schuman and her co-conspirators to account for the immeasurable pain and suffering their extortionate conduct has caused.”

Nick Carter is being taken to court by singer Melissa Schuman, more than 5 years after she pushed for him to be criminally charged for allegedly sexually assaulting her.

Here's the deal -- Schuman is suing the Backstreet Boys singer, claiming he sexually assaulted her in 2002 in Santa Monica ... when she was 18 and he was 22. In the suit, she alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her, and made her do the same to him.

Schuman, who was in the girl group Dream, claims Carter then took her virginity, despite her telling him she was saving herself for marriage.

She originally accused him of this back in 2017 ... she filed a police report and wanted Carter to face criminal charges, but the D.A.'s office declined to prosecute.

Schuman now believes a new bill amending the statute of limitations for civil actions revives her claim, which is why she's looking to take it all to a judge.

Nick has denied all of her allegations, and, in fact, sued Schuman for $2.3 million earlier this year ... claiming she had been trying to extort money from him for years. That suit was part of his ongoing litigation against Shannon Ruth, who's also accused Carter of sexual assault on a tour bus.

Originally Published -- 4:22 PM PT

WWE-Style Brawl Women Caught On Video Going At It ... One Gets Body-Slammed

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PARKING LOT POUNDING

An all-out brawl erupted outside a Texas nightclub in a scene that sort of looked like a WWE Royal Rumble ... and most of it was caught on video.

Footage of the wild fight shows a group of mostly scantily clad women going at it in a San Antonio parking lot near Privat Social Club. Of course, there were many observers watching and recording the lunacy with their cell phones.

The video opened with a young woman grabbing another female by her hair and whipping her to the ground. The two wrestled on the asphalt while throwing punches at one another.

Then a security guard picked up a third woman and body-slammed her to the ground, causing her cash to go flying into the air.

Back to the first two women. One pulverized the other with her fists until, finally, someone stepped in and broke it up.

Two more women were featured kicking each other's butts with one dragging the other around the parking lot.

Security guards managed to get the situation under control before anyone got seriously hurt.

San Antonio Police arrived on scene after everything had calmed down. Cops said the fight originally started between a woman and a security guard for unknown reasons. The guard maced the woman, who then left the location as hell broke loose.

Police said none of the parties filed formal complaints so no one was arrested. Case closed.

Insane Plane Video Cops Give Adult Passenger The Boot Childlike Tantrum Ensues

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KICKING & SCREAMING

A middle-aged passenger got booted off a commercial airliner after throwing a childlike tantrum while clashing with police ... and it was all caught on video.

Check out the clip posted to TikTok showing the passenger in his seat trying to talk his way out of trouble with three no-nonsense cops standing over him. Apparently, the passenger lost his s*** after he was denied a preflight alcoholic beverage, prompting the officers to pay him a visit.

As you can see, the cops repeatedly ordered the passenger off the plane, but he stood his ground at least for a little while.

But things then took a turn for the worse when the passenger accused one of the officers of stealing his phone. Not a good idea.

The cops then grabbed the guy and dragged him out of his seat. As they hauled him off the plane, the passenger started crying and whining like a child.

It's not clear what happened after that. We're trying to gather more details to get a full picture.

But one thing's for sure ... think twice about asking for a preflight cocktail.

Classroom Violence TX Student Punches Teacher in Face ... Wanted His Cell Phone Back

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A high school student in Texas punched his teacher square in the face ... a frightening encounter captured on video.

The violent outburst happened at Lamar High School in Houston, where footage shows a student arguing with a male teacher who had, apparently, taken the kid's phone for some reason -- then suddenly the student threw a haymaker.

They were face-to-face when the teen reached back and uncorked a right hook, landing flush on the teacher's jaw. Shocked onlookers screamed as the student threw more punches, and the video abruptly cuts off.

Students are sharing the video all over social media, and parents with kids at the school are obviously outraged.

The school's principal reportedly sent a note to parents saying the school does not condone or tolerate this type of behavior. The principal says, "Administrators will be looking into the cause of the altercation and continue to evaluate ways to prevent these occurrences in the future."

The teacher hasn't been identified by name and hasn't publicly commented about the incident.

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VIOLENCE ON THE RISE

It's another example of the increase in student violence against teachers in schools across the country ... a subject we dove into on "TMZ Live" with Lt. Rudy Perez, the head of the National Association of Resource Officers.

A disturbing and dangerous trend, for sure.