Black Lives Matter Police Shoot and Kill Black Man ... As He Walks Away from Them
8:56 AM PT -- The police department said the shots were fired just as the victim was about to enter the convenience store, armed with a knife. What they did not explain ... why 11 shots?
A Black man was fatally shot and killed by cops -- shot 11 times -- as he walked away from them, and it was all caught on video.
The man was at a gas station in Lafayette, Louisiana when someone called police to report a disturbance. At least half a dozen police arrived, and according to the eyewitness --who shot the video -- he appeared to be holding a knife.
You hear cops order the man on the ground, but he continues to walk. The woman who shot the video says she saw police tase him, but he was still upright.
As the man reaches the door of the gas station convenience store, shots ring out -- 11 shots, and the man is dead.
A spokesperson from the Louisiana State Police says the man was involved in an altercation in an intersection. It's unclear from police reports, but it appears cops may have followed the man for half a mile before the fatal encounter at the gas station.
The officers have all been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.
Originally Published -- 6:23 AM PT
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John Travolta Dances with Daughter ... In Honor of Kelly
John Travolta paid homage to his late wife, Kelly Preston, Friday, with the help of their daughter.
John and 20-year-old Ella hit the dance floor ... something John says was Kelly's favorite thing ... dancing with him.
As we reported, Kelly died last month after a 2-year, very private battle with breast cancer. She was only 57 when she passed away. She and John were married for nearly 29 years.
John posted, "My daughter @ella.travolta and I dancing in memory of momma. One of Kelly's favorite things, dancing with me."
John and Kelly had 3 kids together ... Jett, Ella Blue and Benjamin. Jett died tragically in 2009, after suffering a seizure.
Watching the video is both sweet and sad.
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Naya Rivera Lake Where She Drowned Reopens ... No Swimming Allowed
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The SoCal lake where Naya Rivera was found dead after drowning is open to the public again, but her tragedy is having an impact on operations there.
TMZ's learned Lake Piru reopened Thursday, 43 days after the "Glee" star went out for a day of boating and swimming with her son. The man-made reservoir had been off-limits since Naya went missing. After authorities recovered her body, the lake remained closed as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in L.A. County.
Now that the public can return there are restrictions. For starters, swimming is absolutely banned. Lake officials say that's due to COVID-19, but locals tell us they believe the ban is really about Naya's drowning.
As we reported ... more than 12,000 people signed a petition demanding more effective warnings to swimmers about debris under the water's surface.
As for boating on the lake ... that's back in full swing, along with picnicking, hiking and fishing.
However, the pontoon Naya rented on the night she went missing has been taken out of the fleet and it's been placed in storage.
Remember ... locals had reason to be concerned. Naya's drowning is the 9th death at Lake Piru since 1994.
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Frankie Banali Quiet Riot Drummer Dead at 68
You might say God is feeling the 'Noize' now ... Quiet Riot's drummer, Frankie Banali, has died following his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Frankie died Thursday night in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones, according to his wife, Regina, who said he lost his 16-month battle with cancer. Frankie's wife says chemotherapy stopped working and Frankie suffered a series of strokes, making it impossible to continue a clinical trial.
The rocker was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and Regina says doctors had given him 6 months to live.
While Frankie was not a founding member of the popular 80's metal band, he debuted with Quiet Riot way back in 1983 on their third album, "Metal Health," and played drums on 12 of the band's records.
Quiet Riot was the first metal band to top the Billboard charts with their mega-hit cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize" ... which opens with Frankie's signature LOUD sound on the drums.
This is the band's second loss ... lead singer Kevin Dubrow died back in 2007, and Frankie remembered him as his "dearest friend."
Frankie also played drums for W.A.S.P, performing on 7 albums. He's survived by his wife and daughter, Ashley.
Frankie was 68.
RIP
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Chi Chi DeVayne 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queen Dead at 34
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Chi Chi DeVayne -- a fan favorite on "RuPaul's Drag Race" who competed on 'All-Stars' as well -- has died after recently being admitted to the hospital for pneumonia.
According to Chi Chi's family, the famed drag queen died Thursday morning at a hospital. Just days ago, Chi Chi shared a video from a hospital room saying they were "currently battling pneumonia" and asking for prayers.
DeVayne was also hospitalized in mid-July for apparent kidney failure related to scleroderma, an autoimmune disease the 'Drag Race' star was diagnosed with in 2018.
While undergoing dialysis treatment, Chi Chi wrote ... "I let it go too long without going to the doctor and these are the consequences."
Chi Chi, whose real name was Zavion Davenport, was a standout on season 8 of 'Drag Race' in 2016 and went on to finish in fourth place. Chi Chi later returned for the third season of RuPaul's 'All Stars' competition in early 2018 and placed eighth.
RuPaul says he's heartbroken over Chi Chi's passing, but "grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul." He adds ... "She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all."
Chi Chi was 34.
RIP
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'Straight Outta Compton' Star Jason Mitchell Playing Sean Bell ... in '50 Shots' Biopic
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Jason Mitchell's next big role is incredibly timely -- he's portraying the life of a Black man shot and killed by cops just hours before his wedding ... one of the most controversial police-involved shootings in recent history.
Jason, who's previously played Eazy-E in "Straight Outta Compton," has landed the role of Sean Bell in the film aptly titled "50 Shots" ... a reference to the 50 bullets cops fired in 2006, killing Sean in Jamaica, Queens.
Bell was only 23 and had just finished celebrating his bachelor party with his dad and 2 friends when cops opened fire on their car. Undercover cops investigating a nearby strip club believed the men were armed -- but they were not.
Four years later ... the city settled with Bell's family for $7 million, but 3 of the cops who opened fire were fully acquitted. It's one helluva story ... one Jason couldn't pass up when he read the script.
Jason will be an executive producer along with Tru of TruVision Films, as was first reported by Urban Hollywood 411. Jason initially read for the part of one of the undercover cops. But, as he read the script he immediately asked to instead play Sean's role because he wanted to help tell his story. Tru was all for it.
The movie, which has been in the works for 3 years now and will be filmed in Queens, is one of many projects centered around the tragic incident ... but Sean's family feels this one is special because they've been so involved -- especially Sean's father, William. We're told he's spoken with Jason almost every day since he took the role.
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'Gold Rush' Star Jesse Goins Dead at 60 Possible Heart Attack on Set
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Jesse Goins -- best known for appearing on the Discovery show "Gold Rush: Dave Turin's Lost Mine" -- has died.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Jesse was on set in Colorado Tuesday night during filming. His job on the show is to work in the gold room, where he separates and cleans the gold. We're told someone from the crew found him unconscious just outside the gold room. A medic on-site administered CPR and EMTs then arrived and rushed Jesse to the hospital, but efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.
We're told it appeared to those on the scene ... Jesse suffered a heart attack, although the exact cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Jesse's brother, Larry, posted on Facebook saying, "Heaven will never be the same!! My brother Jesse went home to be with his Father, Lord and Savior. He will be missed dearly. Love you brother."
'Lost Mine' premiered in March 2019 and took place near Prescott Valley, Arizona. The second season kicked off earlier this year from February to April and largely centered in Marysville, Montana.
Jesse appeared in 15 episodes of the "Gold Rush" series spinoff. In 'Dave Turin's Lost Mine' ... Jesse worked alongside Turin as they visited abandoned gold mines around the western U.S. They then decided which mine they'd get up and start running again ... in the hopes of turning a profit.
Jesse, who was 60, leaves behind a wife.
RIP
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'Welcome to Sweetie Pie's' Owner Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot ... In Nephew's 2016 Killing
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"Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" star Miss Robbie is dealing with a new family shocker tied to the murder of her grandson -- cops have arrested her own son for an alleged murder-for-hire plot straight outta "Dateline."
Miss Robbie's son, and costar on the OWN show, James Timothy Norman was busted by feds for his alleged role in the 2016 shooting death of Andre Montgomery ... his nephew and Miss Robbie's grandchild.
According to docs, prosecutors say Norman -- who owns Sweetie Pie's restaurant -- took out a $450k life insurance policy on his nephew back in 2014 ... and then worked with a woman named Terica Ellis to allegedly pull off the murder. The feds claim they communicated on burner phones in the days leading up to the killing in St. Louis.
In docs, obtained by TMZ, prosecutors claim Ellis got Andre's location the day of the murder ... then placed a call to Norman. Shortly after that, on March 14, 2016 ... Montgomery was shot at killed, and the feds claim they ping'd Ellis' phone near the scene of the crime.
Immediately after Montgomery's murder ... Ellis allegedly called Norman, left town and deposited $9k in cash into various bank accounts. Prosecutors say Norman then contacted the life insurance company in an attempt to collect on the policy.
Ellis is facing the same murder-for-hire conspiracy charge as Norman.
As we reported ... the OWN series' star, Miss Robbie, always believed her grandson's murder was a setup, but you have to imagine this is still quite shocking to her.
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NHL Legend Dale Hawerchuk Dead at 57 ... After Battle with Stomach Cancer
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Dale Hawerchuck -- a hockey Hall of Famer and Winnipeg Jets legend -- died Tuesday after a battle with stomach cancer ... his son announced.
He was 57 years old.
Hawerchuk is arguably the greatest player in Winnipeg Jets history ... tallying 100 or more points in 6 of his first 7 seasons with the team after it selected him with the #1 overall pick in the 1981 NHL draft.
Hawerchuk ended up owning Jets franchise records for points (929) and goals (379) ... all the way up until the marks were finally bested in the 2015-16 season.
"The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, our players, our alumni, and our fans will miss him dearly," the Jets said in a statement, "and we will forever be inspired by his passion for the game, his commitment to his team, and his love for our community."
Hawerchuk went on to play 17 total seasons in the NHL ... which included a solid run with the Buffalo Sabres after his time with the Jets ended in 1990.
"The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Dale Hawerchuk, an instant and enduring star who captured the hearts of two hockey-loving cities, represented his country with class and distinction and is one of the most decorated players in our game's history," commish Gary Bettman said.
Hawerchuk began treatments for cancer in 2019 and completed chemotherapy this past April ... but his son announced just a few weeks ago the disease had returned.
A moment of silence for Dale Hawerchuk before the start of today's Canadiens-Flyers game. pic.twitter.com/dmmgOuxdy3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 18, 2020 @Sportsnet
A moment of silence was observed for Hawerchuk just before the Philadelphia Flyers took on the Montreal Canadians in a playoff game in Toronto on Tuesday.
RIP
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L.A. Lakers To Wear Kobe Tribute Jerseys In NBA Playoffs ... With Gigi Patch
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The L.A. Lakers will rock special Kobe Bryant tribute jerseys during their playoff run -- which include a patch to honor Gigi Bryant ... and Vanessa is a huge fan of it all.
Check out the "Black Mamba" look -- uniforms that were actually inspired by and co-designed by Kobe a few years before he passed.
The design is sweet -- black uniforms with a snakeskin print ... featuring 16 stars on the side to represent the 16 Lakers championships.
The team is set to debut the new threads on Kobe Bryant Day -- 8/24 -- against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their playoff series, according to the NBA's "Lockervision" website.
The jerseys will also include a special patch on the right shoulder to honor Gigi -- featuring her #2 in a white heart.
Vanessa gave a sneak peek at the threads on her Instagram stories Monday and they're awesome.
We're guessing the Lakers players are stoked about the look -- especially since LeBron James and Anthony Davis previously got Kobe Bryant tattoos to pay tribute to the NBA legend.
As for the date, 8/24 has already been declared Kobe Bryant Day in Orange County, where Kobe and Gigi lived.
The date represents the two jersey numbers Kobe wore during his 20-year run with the Lakers ... 8 and 24.
Nike, meanwhile, is giving Kobe his own memorial week starting on 8/23 (Bryant's birthday) ... with reps from the Swoosh saying they'll honor the Lakers legend all week with special programming and merch.
Kobe and Gianna -- along with 7 others -- died in a helicopter crash back in January.
Gianna was only 13-years-old. Kobe would have turned 42 this coming Sunday.
RIP
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Michael Jordan Convicted Murderer of Dad Granted Parole, To Be Released In 2023
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One of the men convicted in the murder of Michael Jordan's father, James Sr., in 1993 will walk free in 2023 ... after he was granted parole on Tuesday.
MJ's dad was shot to death in July 1993 while sleeping in his car at a rest stop in North Carolina. His body was dumped off a bridge in South Carolina and recovered 11 days later.
One of the men -- 45-year-old Larry Demery -- pled guilty to first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery in 1996.
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission announced that it has granted Demery parole as part of the Mutual Agreement Parole Program.
Demery is set to be released on August 6, 2023.
In a letter explaining Demery's release, the MAPP is described as a scholastic and vocational program that is a three-way agreement between the Commission, the Division of Prisons and the offender.
The letter also explains the state's Structured Sentencing law eliminates parole for certain crimes committed on or before October 1, 1994 ... however, Demery was sentenced under previous guidelines, which made him eligible for parole.
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Elvis Presley Fans Flock to Graceland w/ Masks For 43rd Death Anniversary
Elvis Presley lives on in the hearts of adoring fans who made sure to pay their respects on his 43rd death anniversary ... even if it meant wearing masks and having to spread out.
A candlelight vigil was held for The King Saturday night at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee -- which hundreds of people flocked to come sundown just to get a glimpse of the man's gravesite and leave behind flowers, notes and photos of their idol. It was one of the last events for Elvis Week around there -- but this year, precautions were in place.
Elvis Week: Candlelight Vigil https://t.co/TVviQsr8iR
— Commercial Appeal (@memphisnews) August 16, 2020 @memphisnews
The vigil was a ticketed event of sorts -- only 720 people were given access to the grounds for an up-close view, and the folks running the place only let parties in who wore face coverings and traveled in groups of 6 or less. Also, everyone had to trickle in slowly for proper distancing ... so it was certainly less packed than gatherings like this in the past.
Elvis candlelight vigil is 'socially distanced' at Graceland https://t.co/4LYyHdyse3
— Commercial Appeal (@memphisnews) August 16, 2020 @memphisnews
There were also police officers stationed outside the property with barricades in place blocking off surrounding roads -- so people who didn't have tickets couldn't even get near the mansion to watch from a distance. By and large, it sounds like it was a success (COVID-wise).
Fortunately, Elvis fans didn't seem to mind either -- in fact, people came from all over the country (and the world) for the momentous event ... marking the year Elvis had been gone longer than he'd been on this Earth. He was just 42 when he died in 1977.
On Sunday -- the day he actually died -- Elvis Week is set to cap off with a virtual gospel event at the Graceland soundstage, and later tonight ... a drive-in Elvis movie in the parking lot (which we imagine will also be limited). Definitely a bummer, but better than nothing.
Elvis died after suffering a heart attack. He was discovered on the bathroom floor, where he was using the commode moments earlier. His legacy is cemented in pop culture as a pioneer for modern rock 'n' roll music as well as the blues.
Speaking of that, he's faced criticism in the years since his death for culturally appropriating music made popular by Black artists, and passing it off as his own style. Still, the guy was incredibly talented ... and goes down as an icon from his time, paving the way for other big-time acts to follow. John Lennon once said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."
He left behind his wife, Priscilla, and only child Lisa-Marie ... plus lots of grandchildren, many of whom went on to be famous in their own right. Some have tragically passed as well.
RIP
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Donald Trump Younger Brother Robert Dead at 71
Robert Trump, President Donald Trump's younger brother, has died.
The White House released a statement Saturday night from the President ... "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight."
It was apparent Robert Trump was gravely ill a few days ago, when Donald Trump flew to New York City to visit him in the hospital. He had reportedly been in ICU for upwards of a week.
Robert Trump was an exec in the Trump organization and close to his older brother. In announcing Robert's death, Donald Trump said, “He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.”
Robert Trump made news in the last few months when he tried to block a book, "Too Much and Never Enough," written by his niece, Mary Trump. The book was published in July.
Joe Biden sent his condolences, saying, "Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert's passing. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one -- and I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all."
Robert Trump was 71.
RIP
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Connecticut Prison Inmate Suicide by Hanging ... Used Own Face Mask
A prison inmate in Connecticut hanged himself behind bars, and officials say he did it with the very face mask they provided him to fight off COVID-19.
32-year-old Daniel Ocasio was found dead Wednesday at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Montville, with a ligature tied around his neck. That ligature was from the cloth mask issued to every inmate to prevent the spread of coronavirus from inside.
The Connecticut DOC says he was discovered in his cell around 5 AM, after which life-saving measures were administered ... before he was transferred to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner's Office there ruled his death to be a suicide by hanging.
Ocasio had been at the prison since August 5 on a 3rd-degree burglary charge ... held on a $10,000 bond. Usually, paying 10% of that amount up front will get someone sprung.
The DOC says it's conducting an investigation into Ocasio's death. Also of note, upwards of 1,300 inmates in their system have tested positive for COVID-19 ... at least 7 have died.
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Tekashi 6ix9ine I Didn't Diss Nipsey ... I Love L.A.!!!
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Tekashi 6ix9ine is feeling like Randy Newman ... he says he loves L.A. and didn't disrespect Nipsey Hussle when he visited a mural of the late rapper ... near where he was murdered.
We got Tekashi shopping on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills Friday, where he was surrounded by his security team and flanked by tons of supporters, as well as haters shouting obscenities. You could sense the tension in the streets.
69 tells us everyone claiming he trolled Nipsey's 'hood by posing in front of the mural has it wrong ... he says he loves Nipsey, which is why he kneeled and paid respects.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Lots of folks are pissed at Tekashi's stop in Crenshaw because Nispey was famously killed by a snitch, but he says his love for Nip is like L.A.'s love for the Notorious B.I.G.
6ix9ine also shoots down rumors he was robbed while seeing the sights around town. It's his first time in L.A. since he ratted on his former gang members back in New York, and he's been met with a mix of anger and adulation everywhere he goes.
Akon's also rolling with Tekashi, but as you can see ... they weren't sticking around with the block getting hot.
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George Floyd Murder Case New Body Cam Released ... Shows Take Down, Horrified Crowd's Pleas
George Floyd had at least 8 civilian onlookers, including a Minneapolis firefighter, pleading for his life ... and this newly released police body cam shows the panic and horror they all felt.
The footage comes from the body cam of now ex-officer Tou Thao -- he's the one who was doing crowd control during Floyd's arrest. The video shows the initial attempt to put Floyd into a patrol car and, seconds later, the 3 officers -- including Derek Chauvin -- taking him down onto the pavement.
As soon as George was on the street, with Chauvin's knee on his neck, Thao went straight to the curb where a handful of onlookers could immediately tell Floyd was in life-threatening distress.
While one young woman, Darnella Frazier, recorded the original video the world saw of Floyd's killing ... the most vocal citizen on the curbside was a black man who repeatedly asked Thao if he was just going to watch the other officers "choke him like that?"
Another onlooker, who identified herself as a Minneapolis firefighter, made multiple attempts to get a closer look ... and yelled at Thao, "Does he have a pulse? Show me his pulse!"
What's most interesting about this angle of the incident is you can see and feel the crowd's worry increase with every minute the officers are on top of George. It was painfully obvious to them a man was dying, and they got more and more agitated as the clock ticked through the 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
As you know, Thao and 2 other ex-officers, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Keung, are charged with aiding and abetting murder ... while Chauvin's been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, as well as an additional count of second-degree murder.