Kansas City Bar 2 Dead, 15 Injured In Shooting ... At Chiefs-Themed Party

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2 people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting Sunday night during a Chiefs-themed party at a Kansas City bar owned by a former NFL player.

Hundreds of people were at 9ine Ultra Lounge -- owned by former Chiefs 5th-round draft pick Alphonso Hodge -- when a 29-year-old gunman opened fire ... killing a 25-year-old woman.

15 others were injured before a security guard shot and killed the alleged shooter, Jahron Swift ... police said at a news conference on Monday.

“Last night was a night a lot of people were dreaming of for 50 years,” Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said.

“While we won't necessarily say that folks aren't still happy, but this a very disappointing for us.”

We're told no Chiefs players were present at the bar at the time of the shooting.

Kansas City police chief Richard Smith said Hodge was at the club at the time of the shooting and is cooperating with law enforcement.

Hodge spent parts of two seasons with the Chiefs, although he did not appear in any regular-season games.

He also spent time with the New York Jets.

Hodge's club issued a statement on the shooting, saying ... "The 9ine ultra lounge family and organization is deeply saddened by the unsavory tragic act of one individual last night."

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the injured, the deceased and their loved ones. This shameless and senseless act of violence claimed the life of one of our patrons and injured many others and quite frankly, we have little in the way of answers."

As for the shooter, police said they found multiple firearms in his possession.

The motive for the shooting is still unclear, according to cops.

Notorious B.I.G. Diddy, Faith Evans Plan for Big Night ... at Hall of Fame Induction

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Diddy and Faith Evans played central roles in Notorious B.I.G.'s life and in the immediate success that followed ... so it's only fitting they'll be front and center when Biggie gets inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Sources close to Diddy tell TMZ ... the music mogul and his family will attend the ceremony -- broadcast live on HBO -- on May 2 in Cleveland. We're told Diddy may have something up his sleeve to honor Biggie ... though it's unclear if he'll perform or pay tribute onstage.

Faith tells TMZ ... she's ecstatic about her late-husband being honored as a first-ballot inductee. And, like Diddy, Faith tells us her plan is to attend the ceremony. She's also hopeful she'll be part of the night's festivities honoring Biggie.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Emotional Goodbye To Dad After Death ... 'I'm In Pain'

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he's in pieces over his dad's death ... writing in an emotional goodbye letter to his father, "I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you."

Rocky "Soulman" Johnson died suddenly at 75 years old on Wednesday ... and in Dwayne's first public words since the tragic news, The Rock said he's broken up over it all.

"You were ripped away from me so fast without warning," he said. "Gone in an instant and no coming back. I'm in pain."

But, Dwayne said he's taking steps to try to move on ... and praised his dad for being a pioneer and trailblazer in the wrestling world.

"You lived a very full, very hard, barrier breaking life and left it all in the ring," Dwayne said. "I love you dad and I’ll always be your proud and grateful son."

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Rocky started out in the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s but gained fame after he joined the WWE in the 80s. He and Tony Atlas became the org's first African-American tag team champions as The Soul Patrol.

Rocky retired from wrestling in 1991 ... and, afterward, had a huge hand in helping mold Dwayne into one of the most popular wrestlers EVER.

"I'll carry your mana and work ethic with me as it’s time to move on because I have my family to feed and work to accomplish," Dwayne said. "Finally, I want you to rest your trailblazing soul, Soulman."

Mac Miller Fans Soak Up Pop-Up Installation ... Honoring Rapper's Legacy

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Mac Miller fans are showing up in droves to honor the late rapper at pop-up exhibitions opening around the country.

Fans were treated to the invite-only installation in L.A. Thursday to celebrate Mac's music and legacy. These exhibitions -- produced by Mirrored Media -- are launched in partnership with Amazon Music, and in conjunction with Mac's posthumous, "Circles," album release. Fans perused the art pieces and tons of mech ... while also enjoying listening sessions.

Thursday's event was a soft opening, but a 2-day event is slated for Friday and Saturday in NYC and also in Mac's hometown of Pittsburgh. The exhibition is free to the public from noon to 9 PM, and all net proceeds from merch sales will benefit the Mac Miller Fund ... which supports young musicians.

The pop-ups come a little over a week after Mac's family announced "Circles" would be released Friday. Sunday would've been Mac's 28th birthday.

Walmart Apologizes for Insensitive Paul Walker Joke

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UPDATE

3:29 PM PT -- A rep for Walmart tells us, "We apologize to Paul Walker's family, friends and fans. The tweet was posted in poor judgment and has been removed."

UPDATE

2:41 PM PT -- The tweet has been deleted. We've reached out to Walmart for comment ... so far, no word back.

Walmart's learning a valuable lesson about making Paul Walker jokes on Twitter, even if said joke is ripped from a funny TV show.

Here's what went down -- a Twitter user shared a story about Walmart selling Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls with strawberry and cream-flavored icing ... and added a funny gif of a car wildly racing through traffic with the caption, "*me racin to the nearest Wally World*."

Innocent enough ... however, the person behind Walmart's Twitter account Thursday decided to take things up a notch and responded to the gif by saying, "Hey, Paul Walker. Click it, or ticket."

Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson The Rock's Dad ... WWE Superstar Dead at 75

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Rocky Johnson, a WWE pioneer and father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has died according to the WWE.

Johnson, who was living in the Tampa Bay area, passed away Wednesday. Rocky "Soulman" Johnson -- started out in the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s, but got widespread notoriety when he joined the WWE in the 80s. He and Tony Atlas became the league's first African-American tag team champions as The Soul Patrol.

Some of his biggest rivals were Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Don Muraco and Adrian Adonis. Rocky retired back in 1991 and he was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

Obviously, his son followed in his footsteps. It is widely known that Dwayne adopted his dad's name for his own wrestling moniker ... and certainly carried on the torch lit by his pop.

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They remained close -- The Rock even gifted his father a brand new car and a house for Christmas. Last year he published his autobiography -- "Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story" -- and his son wrote the foreword.

Rocky was 75. RIP

'Highlander' Star Stan Kirsch Dead at 51 After Suicide

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Stan Kirsch -- better known as Richie Ryan on the original "Highlander" TV series -- was found dead in his L.A. home.

Law enforcement sources confirm Stan's wife, Kristyn Green, found the actor hanging Saturday afternoon in their bathroom. Paramedics responded, but we're told he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stan had tons of acting credits, appearing on shows like "JAG," "General Hospital" and "Friends" ... in addition to his 6 seasons on "Highlander" in the mid-90s. However, he was also a renowned acting coach in Los Angeles.

A tribute to Stan on the show's official Facebook page said, "Without Stan Kirsch, Highlander: The Series would have been far less. He brought a sense of humor, kindness and youthful enthusiasm to the character of Richie Ryan for six seasons."

Washington Nationals Pitching Prospect Dead At 23 ... After Motorcycle Crash

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Tragic news in the Washington Nationals organization ... one of their up-and-coming pitching prospects died Sunday reportedly after a motorcycle crash in the Dominican Republic.

Fausto Segura -- a 6-foot-3 right hander who signed with the Nats back in 2017 -- was allegedly driving his motorcycle when he was struck by a van, ESPN Deportes said.

Segura was reportedly visiting his hometown of Barahona at the time of the accident. He was 23 years old.

"The Washington Nationals are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Fausto Segura," the team said in a statement Monday. "He was beloved by his teammates, coaches, coordinators and everyone he came in contact with throughout our organization."

Segura pitched in the Nationals' farm system the past three seasons ... and showed some upside, according to assistant general manager of international operations Johnny DiPuglia.

"He was starting to take off," DiPuglia said of Segura. "We were excited about him. But the thing we were most excited about him was how his maturation had improved."

"So that’s the sad thing. The kid was starting to figure some things out, and then this happens."

The Nationals added in a statement, "We extend our deepest sympathies to Fausto's family, friends and loved ones in their time of grief."

Montae Nicholson Investigation Woman's Death Ruled Accident ... 'Fentanyl Intoxication'

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The woman who died after being taken to the hospital by NFL player Montae Nicholson passed away due to an accidental fentanyl overdose ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story, back on Nov. 14, Nicholson and a friend found 21-year-old Julia Crabbe "foaming at the mouth" in Nicholson's Ashburn, Virginia home after a night out.

According to police documents, Nicholson and the friend took Crabbe to a nearby hospital ... where she was later pronounced dead.

Now, TMZ Sports has learned Crabbe's death has been ruled an accident ... a spokesperson for the county medical examiner tells us Crabbe died of "fentanyl intoxication."

FYI, the CDC characterizes fentanyl as an opioid pain reliever that is "50 to 100 times more potent than morphine."

Mexican Wrestling Star La Parka Dead ... After Tragic In-Ring Injury

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Mexican wrestler La Parka -- a superstar in Lucha Libre AAA -- died on Saturday ... a little more than 2 months after he suffered a severe injury during an October wrestling match.

La Parka -- aka Jesus Alfonso Escoboza Huerta -- did a leaping dive through the ropes at an opponent in Monterey, Mexico ... but tragically hit his head on a guard rail before falling to the ground.

Escoboza Huerta underwent emergency surgery to save his life ... but the wrestler was reportedly still left paralyzed from the fall.

After battling the injuries for the last several months ... Lucha Libre AAA said Escoboza Huerta was put on assisted breathing Friday after he showed signs of kidney failure.

A day later, the wrestling org. announced Escoboza Huerta passed away after his lungs and kidneys failed. He was 54 years old.

Escoboza Huerta began wrestling in 1987 and wrestled under the "La Parka" moniker for more than 20 years, Lucha Libre AAA said.

He famously won championships in the Triplemanía Cup and Antonio Peña Cup ... in addition to winning the King of Kings event that's annually put on by Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

Wrestling superstars Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara and others posted tributes to Escoboza Huerta on social media after learning of his death.

The "La Parka" character was originally created by wrestler Adolfo Margarito Tapia Ibarra ... who wrestled in WCW and now goes by the name of "L.A. Park."

Hollywood Blvd. Superman Suffocated To Death In Donation Bin ... High On Meth

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Christopher Dennis -- a street performer known for portraying Superman on Hollywood Blvd. for more than 25 years -- died from a lack of oxygen after crawling into a clothing donation bin while high on drugs.

The Man of Steel impersonator suffocated to death as a result of blunt force trauma to his head and neck ... this according to the L.A. County Coroner's Office. The Coroner's report also cites methamphetamine toxicity as a significant factor in his death.

Christopher suffered the fatal injuries after being partially entrapped within a metal box used for donating clothes, according to the Coroner's Office, which ruled his death accidental.

As we reported ... Christopher -- who was homeless -- died back in November when his lifeless body was discovered lying headfirst in the donation bin. Investigators believed he was attempting to gather clothes for himself.

Christopher entertained folks in Hollywood for over two decades by dressing up as Superman ... he also starred in the documentary "Confessions of a Superhero," and made multiple appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

He was 52.

Neil Peart Rush Drummer Dead at 67

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Neil Peart from the band Rush -- one of the greatest drummers in rock history -- died Tuesday after battling cancer ... according to his family.

Peart passed away in Santa Monica. The family says he'd been diagnosed with brain cancer 3 years ago, but hadn't announced it to Rush's legion of fans around the world.

The Canadian rock trio of Rush formed in 1968, but Neil didn't join his bandmates -- bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson -- until 1974. All 3 men were known as virtuoso musicians and Neil's solo's are legendary ... in particular his drumming on iconic songs like "Tom Sawyer."

His influence on today's rock musicians can't be overstated. If you, or your parents, were a drummer growing up in the 70s or 80s... you know about the endless hours amateurs spent trying to play like Neil.

Sadly, he announced his retirement from the band in 2015 -- he'd been battling chronic pain related to tendinitis. The following year they announced the band was done touring ... not only because of Neil's health, but Alex was also battling arthritis.

Edd Byrnes 'Grease' Star Dead at 87

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Edd Byrnes, who became famous acting in movies like "Grease" and iconic TV shows like "77 Sunset Strip" is dead.

Byrnes died unexpectedly Wednesday at his Santa Monica home of natural causes.

His career had a bunch of high points. Edd played Vince Fontaine in "Grease," he was the host of the famous National Bandstand dance-off.

As for "77 Sunset Strip" -- which ran from 1958-1964 -- it was one of the most popular shows on the boob tube. He became the breakout star -- Kookie. For most of you who have never heard of the show, he was as big as Luke Perry's character in '90210' ... and not dissimilar.

Edd even scored a gold record for the hit with Connie Stevens, "Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)," which hit #4 in 1959 and spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart. The character Kookie was famous for combing his impressive locks with a comb.

Other credits include "Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "Married With Children," "Murder, She Wrote," "Maverick," and, of course -- where every star eventually landed -- "The Love Boat."

He leaves behind his son, Logan, an evening news anchor in San Diego and his longtime partner, Catherine Gross.

Edd was 87. RIP

MTV's 'Are You The One?' Alexis Eddy Dead at 23

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Alexis Eddy -- who rose to fame on MTV's "Are You The One?" -- has been found dead in West Virginia ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops got a call just before 7AM Thursday morning for a female in cardiac arrest. We're told no foul play is suspected, but authorities are still waiting on a toxicology report to determine cause of death.

Alexis Eddy
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A West Virginia native, Alexis was a contestant on the reality dating show back in 2017, and she caused quite a stir in the house for her character and backstory, revealing on-camera her cousin is a convicted murderer.

Alexis was very open on social media about her struggles with substance abuse ... but as recently as late September she said she and her father were both clean and sober. She also posted pics comparing the 2 in a side-by-side from a couple years ago.

A family member tells us Alexis came home to her mom's house Wednesday night around 11 PM and seemed to be fine. She was found by another family member ... and they believe she was still sober.

In October of 2019, Alexis announced she was engaged, but it appears that engagement was recently ended.

RIP

NAIA Champion Soccer Player Body Devoured By Sharks ... After Drowning

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The body of a 21-year-old college soccer player was found being devoured by sharks in Western Australia ... after the man went missing in the ocean last week.

Rising star Eric Birighitti -- from Perth, Australia -- was a stand-out player for Hastings College in Nebraska and won a national title with the team in 2016.

Birighitti was at Twilight Beach near Esperance last Thursday when he was swept into the ocean by a swell. Friends tried to save him with a life preserver ... but the current was too strong.

The man's body was discovered on Tuesday when the sharks were spotted attacking the corpse in the water, witnesses tell to 9 News Perth.

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"My sister and my father saw the sharks attacking the body. And it was quite a big one, they say," the witness told the outlet.

Birighitti's college team released a statement on his death, saying, "The Broncos family are saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Eric Birighitti."

"Eric played for Hastings during the 2016 & 2017 season and won a national title with the team."

"He will be truly missed and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."

Gary Busey's Ex-Wife Tiani Warden Dies From Cocaine Overdose in Jail

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One of Gary Busey's ex-wives, Tiani Warden, died behind bars in Texas ... and according to her autopsy, it was a cocaine overdose that killed her.

Tiani was found unresponsive in her jail cell at the Hunty County Detention Center back on Nov. 4, the day after police arrested her for public intoxication ... the Hunt County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ.

The actress died from the toxic effects of cocaine ... this according to the Dallas County Medical Examiner. They've ruled her death accidental, and say chronic ethanolism -- heavy drinking -- likely contributed to her death.

It's interesting ... when Tiani was arrested, cops said they were responding to a call of a person lying in a ditch, and the person turned out to be Warden. Police say Tiani was intoxicated and they called for an ambulance, but she refused treatment and was arrested and brought to the Hunt County Detention Center.