RIP

Benny The Butcher is doing his part in helping his Buffalo hometown move forward after a white supremacist gunman murdered 10 people at the local Tops Friendly Market grocery store in May.

Benny and his Black Soprano Family team linked with designers Kat & Nolan Cartwright for a limited edition t-shirt drop with 100% of the profits going to the Buffalo Survivors Fund.

The shirts, which honor all 10 victims with their names, are available now, retail for $40, and only 200 of them were made.

To further emphasize the moment, he also released the new single "Welcome To the States," a political rap record (that flips Kendrick Lamar's "We Cry Together") and details racism and even gives a subtle shoutout to Young Thug and Gunna's ongoing legal drama.

The shooting dampened spirits nationwide ... but particularly hit home for the Griselda rapper, who regularly shops there with his family, as it's only a few minutes from his home.

Because of the incident, his middle-school-aged daughter has yet to return to school.

Alec John Such — the original bassist for Bon Jovi — has died.

Jon made the announcement Sunday, writing … “He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band.”

He adds that Alec was also, by and largely responsible for Bon Jovi coming together in the first place — mentioning how he was friends with Tico Torres and Richie Sambora at the time and introduced everyone.

JBJ says the memories bring a smile to his face and a "tear to my eye." No details about the circumstances of his death were released.

As Jon noted, Alec was there since the beginning — he played with Bon Jovi from 1983 through 1994, including their heyday. He contributed to hits like "Livin' On a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Bad Medicine," and "Keep the Faith," among many others.

While he departed from the band in the '90s, Such rejoined them for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

He was 70.

Metro Boomin is in the throes of a horrific family tragedy -- he's lost his mother at the hands of her husband, who took his own life thereafter ... TMZ has learned.

The producer -- who's cranked out hits for Future, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Migos, Travis Scott, Drake, Kanye West and 21 Savage, just to name a few -- received the tragic news this weekend after his mother's body was discovered by cops just outside of the Atlanta area.

Sources connected to the investigation tell TMZ ... MB's mom, Leslie Joanne Wayne, appears to have been murdered by her spouse -- not Metro's father -- who then killed himself. We're told this happened Friday night, but further details are hazy.

An autopsy will be conducted for an official cause of death. Metro's rep confirms Leslie died this weekend -- adding that he and his family request privacy during this difficult time.

Leslie raised Boomin and his 3 siblings in St. Louis. Word is, she was one of the first people to notice her son's musical talents ... and encouraged him to pursue his passion through adolescence and early adulthood. She'd even drive him from STL to Atlanta so he could collaborate with artists he was connecting with, all in hopes of getting his career started.

She and her boy were incredibly close -- even when Metro achieved international stardom, she was always at the forefront of his mind.

Another day, another mass shooting ... that is what our nation has become.

This time the horror played out in Philadelphia ... 3 people dead and at least 13 injured Saturday night after gunmen opened fire on a crowded street.

It happened just before midnight ... Police Inspector D.F. Pace said there were "several active shooters shooting into the crowd."

One of the cops got close to one of the shooters and fired at him ... it's unclear if the shooter was hit, and he apparently dropped the gun and fled the scene.

The shooters chose an area that is at the heart of the entertainment section of Philly ... and an area with lots of bars and restaurants. Hundreds of folks were doing what they routinely do on the weekend ... eat, party and enjoy the company of fellow Philadelphians when shots rang out.

Pace said 2 handguns were recovered, including one that had an extended magazine.

So far, no arrests.

Kobe Bryant's game-worn Lakers jersey from his first playoff series -- the only one publicly known/available -- just sold for a riiiiiiidiculous amount of money ... $2,735,546 million, to be exact!

The threads were on the block at SCP Auctions ... and after 26 bids, the purple and gold Lakers home jersey went for 7 figures.

As we previously reported, Bryant wore the jersey on at least five occasions ... including two home games during the 1996-1997 NBA playoff series against Karl Malone, John Stockton, and the Utah Jazz.

The playoff games were played on May 8 and May 10, 1997. On the 8th, the Lakers won 104-84. Bryant dropped 19 points in just over 19 minutes.

During game 4 on May 10, 1997, L.A. -- down two games to one -- was defeated 110-95. Mamba, who came off the bench that series, had a down game, scoring 9 points in 28 minutes.

It was some of the last losing Bryant -- who ultimately won 5 NBA titles -- would experience in the postseason.

SCP also had a rare -- likely one-of-one -- signed 1997 Precious Metal Gems Kobe card on the auction block ... which sold for over $403K!

The identity of the fan who put in the winning bid for the jersey is currently unknown ... but, we can confirm the person's wealthy.

LeBron James and his family are sharing their condolences after a 17-year-old boy died near the NBA superstar's I Promise School in Akron ... saying, "Our condolences goes out to the family who lost a loved one!!"

A male victim was found beaten and unconscious in the parking lot of the school's outdoor court at 10:45 PM on Thursday ... after authorities say he was assaulted by unknown suspects.

Cops believe the victim was in a fight with three other suspects who were playing basketball at the school's court, according to Fox 8.

The victim's friends reportedly rushed home to call 911, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene at 11:05 PM.

LeBron's foundation released a statement on the tragic incident ... saying, "Our community is everything to us."

"We were devastated to learn of the overnight incident that saw a life lost near our school," the org. added. "We are grieving with our community over another senseless act of violence. Our campus is safe and secure as we continue to do everything we can to support our students, families, and the entire Akron community."

LeBron also tweeted just minutes ago ... saying, "My (sic) the heavens above watch over you during this tragedy! Pray for our community! 💚👑."

Akron Public schools also addressed the student's passing ... saying he was a student leader at the Firestone Community Learning Center and involved in the design academy.

We've reached out to cops for more information.

Terrifying video has emerged from a shooting at a cemetery funeral service which left multiple people with gunshot wounds.

The clip, recorded at Graceland Cemetery in Racine, Wisconsin shows dozens of people gathered around the service as a pastor speaks before shots ring out. Everyone screams, and gets on the ground as chaos erupts.

From there ... you hear someone in the crowd yell out that another person had been shot.

The Racine Police Department says 2 people were shot during the mayhem, one was flown to a hospital in Milwaukee and the other was treated and released. No arrests have been made.

As for the funeral, it was for Da'Shontay Lucas King Sr. who was killed by a police officer last month.

Former NFL star Marion Barber III was working on a trucking venture, writing a book, and had been committed to raising awareness for social injustice before his tragic death this week ... his attorney tells TMZ Sports.

Zoltan Papp, who represented Barber in his legal case following his 2019 arrest, says he and the former Dallas Cowboys running back were close friends -- and the 38-year-old had given him no signs recently that he had been in any kind of trouble.

"There was no indication of any desire to end his life, if that is what happened," Papp said. "Everything was about the fight to bring justice and to help others. Marion is a person who at his core is pure good."

Papp tells us Barber -- who was found dead in his Frisco, Texas apartment on Wednesday afternoon -- had started a trucking venture following his retirement from the NFL after the 2011 season.

Papp also says the former Pro Bowler was an advocate for social justice and had spent a large portion of the past few years trying to help kids in inner cities.

In fact, Papp tells us the ex-tailback was involved in the coaching team at Flow -- a business simulation designed to help people improve their leadership abilities and lifestyles.

Barber was also working on a book about his life "to show others how to work through difficult times," Papp added.

"He has been a warrior for all in a constant battle with an unjust system," Papp said. "He attacked his craft of football and life with grace, integrity, purpose and authenticity."

"He lived life humbly and with kindness and generosity ... and all against a system that gave little help or support, and recently went hard against him as he was working on helping others."

As for any effects of potential CTE, Papp said, "Marion's personality is grounded as a very humble and soft-spoken man, and that may be wrongly taken as cognitive dysfunction."

Authorities have yet to release any information regarding the circumstances of Barber's death. Cops say an investigation is still ongoing.

Dr. Preston Phillips -- a former WNBA team doctor -- was the main target in the deadly mass shooting at a hospital in Oklahoma this week that left four innocent people dead.

A male gunman opened fire on the second floor of the Warren Clinic in Tulsa Wednesday afternoon ... after police say a patient of the hospital traveled to the clinic with multiple weapons and opened fire.

Cops say the killer -- who we've chosen not to identify -- was furious with Dr. Phillips after the orthopedic surgeon recently operated on him, claiming the procedure caused him terrible back pain.

Officials say the man went to a local gun store on Wednesday -- just hours before the shooting -- and bought a semi-automatic rifle which he eventually used in the attack.

Phillips, aside from being a highly respected doctor in the city, also served as head team physician for the Tulsa Shock ... beginning in 2010.

The Shock moved to Dallas in 2016 ... where they currently play.

Indiana Fever assistant coach Gary Kloppenburg, who coached for the Shock from 2012-2013, penned an emotional letter to Phillips on social media, and blamed Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt for weak gun laws.

"Lord help us, our wonderful WNBA Tulsa Shock team doctor Preston Phillips was one of the innocent people murdered in the latest mass shooting."

"Such a kind and compassionate man who loved basketball and looked out for our players."

Betty White's longtime home in Los Angeles where the Hollywood icon was living at the time of her death has sold for more than its asking price.

The 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom Brentwood property was listed at $10.575 million and sold for $10.678 million. The backyard comes complete with a swimming pool and beautiful views of The Getty Museum.

Sources connected to the sale tell us there were several offers on the home, and while it's not yet clear who the buyer was, we're told it's not another celebrity.

As we reported, those interested in the home first had to be prequalified, and were not allowed inside ... so almost safe to say it could be torn down for a new build.

Betty spent most of her life there, first moving in in 1968 -- and living there until her death on New Year's Eve 2021.

Kim Kardashian is lending her voice to the fight in allowing the incarcerated father of one of the Uvalde shooting victims to be granted temporary release to attend his daughter's funeral.

Kim posted a photo of 10-year-old Eliahana Cruz Torres Thursday with the message, "Her family are desperately hoping that her father, who is incarcerated for a non violent drug offense, be granted temporary release so that he can attend her funeral."

So far, requests for Ellie's dad have been denied, Kim writes, "I ask the Federal Bureau of Prisons to grant Eli Torres temporary release so that he can say his last goodbye to his baby girl. Every parent deserves that right."

Kardashian joins a swelling number of people who have also pushed for Torres to be able to attend the funeral.

Torres, who is locked up in Kentucky, serving a 25-year sentence for drug trafficking, has been given the option of watching a live stream of the service ... but has expressed a desire to be there at the funeral in person.

In an interview with The Houston Chronicle, Torres said his mistakes cost him more than just his freedom, saying of the shooting, "I could have prevented this from happening, somehow, some way, as a father. … I could have stopped it somehow. Protected her."

Another mass shooting ... as a gunman opened fire at a Tulsa hospital, killing at least 3 other people before turning the gun on himself.

The incident happened Wednesday at St. Francis Hospital. The Tulsa PD says, "Earlier this afternoon, we responded to a call about a man armed with a rifle at the Natalie Building at St. Francis Hospital. This turned into an active shooter situation."

Their statement continues, "At this point, we can confirm the shooter is down at this time. Officers are currently going through every room in the building checking for additional threats. We know there are multiple injuries, and potentially multiple casualties."

Local reporters say Tulsa City Councilor, Jayme Fowler, claims the suspect shot and killed himself, but not before killing 3 innocent bystanders ... there's allegedly a fifth person still in critical condition.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III was found dead in his apartment on Wednesday. He was just 38 years old.

Barber -- a Pro Bowler in 2007 -- was found by Frisco Police, according to the Dallas Star-Telegram. Further information has not been made available.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III," the Dallas Cowboys said in a statement.

"Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates."

"Our hearts go out to Marion's family and friends during this difficult time."

The former University of Minnesota star had a solid pro career spanning seven seasons ... suiting up for, most notably, the Cowboys from 2005-2010. He also played one season with the Chicago Bears.

Barber was a 4th-round pick ... earning 4,780 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns over 99 total games. His rough running style earned him the nickname, "Marion the Barbarian."

Barber III's dad, Marion Jr., and brother, Dominique, also played in the NFL ... and his youngest brother, Thomas, played at Minnesota as well.

Barber fell on hard times following his pro career -- most recently, he was arrested in 2019 after allegedly damaging multiple cars in 2018. He pleaded no contest to close out the case in late April.

Barber's passing comes one week before his 39th birthday -- June 10.

Pro golfer Bart Bryant -- a 3-time PGA Tour winner -- was tragically killed in a car crash on Tuesday. He was 59 years old.

Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed the sad news in a statement on Wednesday ... saying, "The PGA TOUR is saddened by the tragic passing of Bart Bryant and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."

Bryant went pro in 1986 ... but his career was troubled with injuries. He won his first PGA Tour in 2004 ... making him the oldest first-time winner at the Valero Texas Open in 9 years.

The Texas native then went on to win two more tournaments in 2005 ... the Memorial Tournament and the Tour Championship, the latter being a big win over Tiger Woods.

Bryant also won the Dicks Sporting Goods Open in 2013 and 2018.

Bryant's older brother, Brad, is also a former PGA Tour winner.

"The Bryants have been a part of the PGA TOUR family for over four decades," Monahan said.

"We are grateful for the impact and legacy he made on our organization and countless communities. Bart will be dearly missed."

Bryant is survived by his wife Donna, his two daughters, stepchildren and his brother. His first wife, Cathy, passed in 2017.

RIP

Master P's family is grieving the loss of his daughter, Tytyana Miller, and cops are working to determine exactly how she died, with initial evidence suggesting it was an overdose.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... drug paraphernalia was found at the scene of Tytyana's death, indicating it might have killed her ... but there were no substances present on the scene.

We're told the autopsy has been completed, but toxicology results will take several weeks.

As we've reported with other cases, fentanyl has been a silent killer in many OD deaths. Our law enforcement sources tell us there's no evidence right now it's connected to Tytyana's death -- but if it shows up in toxicology, we're told LAPD investigators will go into overdrive to find out who supplied the drugs.

As we reported, Master P made the devastating announcement he'd lost Tytyana over the holiday weekend. While he and his family are mourning, Master P tells TMZ ... "The only way that we are going to heal and grow from this is with the truth. It has been a long and painful journey for our family, my daughter has been battling with this since 2015. Mental illness and substance abuse is a real issue and we hope to turn this tragedy into a testimony."

He adds, "As a father, I have always established parameters to protect my children. Unfortunately, when they become adults, they have the legal right to choose who to have relationships with whether healthy or unhealthy."

Tytyana's brother, Romeo Miller, also posted a heartfelt message about his sister, saying, "We appreciate all of the prayers, love, and support, and although this is sad times, I'm forever grateful for the memories I did have with my amazing sister."

Amazingly, even as he grieves, Master P is thinking about other families in the same situation -- "I put my faith and trust in God, I realize that no person is exempt from pain or death. Every day families are dealing with the loss of their loved ones due to mental illness and substance abuse. I have committed to invest my time, resources and passion to help other families affected by these same issues. Our healing process will not end in grief, we will celebrate my daughter's life. Tytyana was inspiring, uplifting, artistic and a loving person who deeply cared for others."

John Madden is receiving yet another huge honor following his death ... EA Sports just revealed the Hall of Famer will grace the covers of the "Madden 23" video game this year.

The game -- the most popular football one ever made -- will feature three different versions ... and officials at EA Sports say all three covers will honor various points of Madden's life.

The "All Madden Edition" artwork was released by the video game giant on Wednesday ... showing a young Madden smiling with a football in his hand.

The covers will mark the first time the former Raiders coach and legendary broadcaster has been the main art on the front of the game since 2000.

In his place the past 22 years, the game's biggest stars -- including Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson and Rob Gronkowski -- have graced the covers of the game.

In addition to announcing the cover art, EA Sports also revealed Wednesday it's dedicating a field at its headquarters in Northern California to the legend who died in December.

Madden is expected to be honored in several other ways in this year's game -- EA Sports officials are slated to announce more features in the coming days and weeks.