Black Lives Matter Car Plows Through Crowd in Times Square

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Scattering to safety
@datainput/Twitter

It's become the tactic of choice for domestic terrorists ... using a car as a weapon to attack protesters.

A Ford Taurus careened through a Black Lives Matter protest Thursday night, as at least 350 people peacefully assembled in Times Square, protesting the death of Daniel Prude at the hands of Rochester police.

The driver gunned it as dozens of protesters ran for cover. Miraculously, no one was injured, but cops are still on the hunt for the driver.

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EXCESSIVE FORCE
Rochester PD

Prude died days after cops put a spit hood over his head, cutting off oxygen. Before officers used the spit hood, you hear Prude plead with cops to let him go. He eventually lost consciousness after cops held him face down for 2 minutes. Only when officers noticed fluid coming out of his mouth did they show concern.

Prude's death was ruled a homicide, and 7 officers have been suspended after the body cam was released. So far, no arrests have been made or charges filed.

Tekashi6ix9ine Drops First Album Since Prison Release ... All About 'Tattletales'

Tekashi 6ix9ine dropped first album since being released from prison, and he's definitely leaning into the whole snitch thing.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

The album's called "TattleTales," and there's a special cameo in the music video, "TUTU," by none other than Blac Chyna. BC makes her presence known with pink boots and sprinkles.

The album has big stars, including Nicki Minaj, Smilez and Akon.

As we reported, Tekashi is a free man, with strings attached. He completed home confinement last month, but he has to keep his nose clean for 5 years while he's on probation.

Tekashi faced 47 years in prison but copped a deal, agreeing to testify against his former gang members. He was sentenced to 24 months back in December and had already served 13. He was released early to home confinement because of coronavirus.

Lots of folks thought Tekashi was done in the music biz because it was just too dangerous for him. Clearly, Tekashi begs to differ.

'Jeopardy!" Season 37 to Debut with Trebek, Jennings

"Jeopardy!" will look different for Season 37 ... new set, new talent, but worry not, because Alex is back!!!

Ken Jennings, the all-time, winningest contestant, will put his mug in front of the camera, challenging new contestants by reading answers from various categories.  He'll also be a consulting producer and he'll help develop new projects.

There will also be a COVID-safe new set for the Sept. 14 rollout.

As for Alex, it's great news. He's responding well to his cancer treatments and is approaching the 2-year survival mark.

Alex feels good enough that he may be going stir-crazy cooped up at home, saying, “I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I’m excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that.”

Good news is hard to come by these days, so this is great news.

Steve Nash 'Of Course' I've Talked W/ KD, Kyrie ... We're Stoked!!!

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GET READY!
TMZSports.com

First Steve Nash sighting after the big news!!!

The newest Brooklyn Nets head coach celebrated his new gig with an Italian dinner at one of NYC's most popular restaurants on Thursday ... and you better believe TMZ Sports was there.

The interaction outside Carbone was super quick -- only 12 seconds long -- but Nash tells us he's already touched base with his teams 2 biggest stars, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant ... and they're excited to work together!!!

Nash was wearing a mask on his way out of the restaurant due to the whole COVID-19 sitch ... but we're guessing he had a huge grin underneath it, considering he just landed what many consider the best available coaching job in the NBA right now.

Of course, we had a LOT more we wanted to ask Nash ... but there's only so much you can do with 12 seconds. Hey, we'll take it.

As we previously reported, the NBA Hall of Famer signed a 4-year deal to take over as head coach of the Nets ... which came as a surprise as nobody knew that he had thrown his hat in the ring.

We look forward to another 12 seconds next time you're out, coach!!

'Real Housewives of Dallas' Star Kameron Westcott Unloads $5M Crib!!!

"Real Housewives of Dallas" star Kameron Westcott has said arrivederci to her Tuscan-style crib ... cause she sold it.

TMZ's learned Kameron's mansion, in the upscale Dallas neighborhood of Highland Park, has just been sold. The 7,409 square foot home has 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and that's just for starters. She put the house on the market for $5.125 million. The exact amount it sold for is unclear, since Texas is a non-disclosure state.

Some of the cool features ... an elevator, home movie theater and a wine cellar with a tasting area. We said Tuscan style, right?! It's also got a finished basement ... which is pretty damn rare in that part of Texas.

We're told Kameron -- a full-time Housewife since joining in season 2 -- and her hubby, Court, built the home back in 2008 and were living in it ever since.

Kelli Macatee of Compass -- who has known Court since they were in middle school -- repped the sellers.

COVID-19 S.C. College Bar Packed To The Gills ... Not The Corona You Want

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GIVIN' IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY
@SGTVNews4/Twitter

This does not look good.

Hundreds of college students crammed into a tiny sports bar near the campus of the University of South Carolina, and it was apparently the place to be because of looser COVID-19 safety guidelines.

TLC Sports Bar, just outside Columbia city limits, was wall-to-wall with revelers Thursday night, and as you can see ... there was nary a mask in sight and no regard for social distancing.

It's the proverbial packed-in-like-sardines scenario, where folks are drinking, talking, laughing and maybe the occasional cough or sneeze. None of this is good in terms of spreading the virus.

Richland County, where the campus is located, is reporting 455 cases per 100,000 tests.

The adults in the room finally put a stop to the potential super spreading event ... cops arrived and shut down the bar, forcing hundreds of students to leave the venue.

The bar is a short walk away from Williams-Brice Stadium, where the university got state approval for 20,000 fans at Gamecocks football home games in a coronavirus-shortened season. The stadium has a listed seating capacity of 80,250.

Maybe the students and bar should take a cue from the football situation. Full capacity is not a good thing these days.

UofSC says it's "disappointed" with Thursday's bar scene ... urging students to wear face coverings, social distance and avoid large in-person gatherings. In other words, the opposite of what you see in the video.

NFL's Aldrick Rosas Pleads Not Guilty ... To Hit-And-Run & Reckless Driving Charges

Ex-New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas is fighting back in his hit-and-run case ... pleading NOT GUILTY to all charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 25-year-old is accused of slamming his black Chevrolet SUV into a pickup truck after exceeding speeds of 100 MPH in Chico, Calif. on June 15.

Cops say multiple witnesses saw the former Pro Bowler wreck the car and then flee the scene on foot.

Officers add, when they were finally able to detain Aldrick hours later, they say his hands, legs and bare feet were bloody.

Aldrick was eventually hit with three misdemeanors over the incident -- including reckless driving on a highway and hit-and-run -- but court records show he pleaded not guilty to all charges last week.

The case is obviously a big deal for Rosas ... he was cut by the Giants shortly after the arrest -- and has yet to land with another team despite being one of the league's better kickers.

We've reached out to Rosas' attorney for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.

Rosas is due back in court for another hearing on the matter on Sept. 16 ... just days after the NFL's regular season is slated to kick off.

Tennis Babes Makin' A Racket ... Love All!

It looks like these sporty babes have been heading down to the courts, and serving up some seriously hot shots while they're at it ... and all this time inside, it's no wonder these ladies want to get out and about!

Stars such as Josephine Skriver, Kylie Jenner, and Olivia Culpo are managing to keep their distance, while still making time to have some sweet summer fun ... And they aren't the only ones sharing their swinging snaps!

Get ready for the US Open by taking a look through our gallery of tennis babes making a racket to see all the other famous faces that are hitting us with these hot shots!

Love it!

R. Kelly Alleged Attacker Identifies Himself

R. Kelly's alleged attacker just ID'd himself in court docs, claiming he’s the one who beat up Kelly behind bars ... and he has gang ties and murders on his record.

Jeremiah Shane Farmer filed legal docs, obtained by TMZ, claiming he’s the pissed off inmate who went on the attack and jumped Kelly in his jail cell.

In the docs, Farmer claims "the government made me attack" Kelly -- although he doesn't explain why -- and says he pulled it off in hopes of shedding light on government corruption. As for what the "corruption" is ... he feels he was done dirty by the justice system.

TMZ broke the story ... Kelly got a taste of jailhouse justice last month inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

Farmer's admission is part of legal docs filed in a federal appeals court. Records show he's representing himself and is being housed at MCC just like Kelly.

R. Kelly's attorney, Steven Greenberg, tells TMZ Farmer is indeed the one who attacked the singer.

As we reported ... our federal sources and Kelly's attorneys said the inmate went on the attack because he was angry about MCC being placed on lockdown a few times, largely due to Kelly protesters outside the jail.

Farmer also included a Bureau of Prisons incident report in his filing, which says the alleged attack happened around 9:45 AM Aug. 26. The report says Farmer appeared to repeatedly punch Kelly in the head and torso, with a prison employee using pepper spray to end the alleged assault.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana says Farmer is a Latin Kings gang member, and he was convicted last year after a jury found he beat 2 men to death with a hammer as part of a racketeering conspiracy.

Dr. Dre Wife Wants 2 Mil a Month in Temp Support

Dr. Dre's wife is seeking a steady flow of serious cash from the music mogul as they head toward divorce ... but our sources say she's not going to get it without a fight.

Nicole Young just filed legal docs asking for temporary spousal support from Dre ... and the amounts are staggering, even for the uber-wealthy.

According to the docs, Nicole wants $1,936,399 monthly in temporary spousal support. She wants an additional $5 million in lawyer fees ... even though she just filed for divorce 2 months ago.

This huge swing by Dre's estranged wife has all the makings of a contentious and bitter divorce battle ... especially since there's already a raging prenup dispute.

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... nothing has really changed for the 2 since Nicole filed for divorce -- she still lives in their Malibu house and has access to all the cars, personal chefs and other luxuries.

Our sources say Dre's going to push back, arguing Nicole doesn't need anywhere close to that amount since her lifestyle hasn't changed. Nicole, on the other hand, will argue she doesn't want to depend on Dre paying all the bills ... thus the need for temporary support.

As we reported ... things are already contentious after Nicole filed docs in early August claiming she was forced to sign the prenup back in 1996. She says 2 years into their marriage he told her he was ashamed he made her sign the prenup and tore it up in front of her.

Dr. Dre -- whose net worth is estimated at $800 million -- denies he ever tore up the prenup, and says she signed it willingly and wants it enforced.

Dre and Nicole wed on May 25, 1996, and they have 2 adult children together -- a son named Truice and a daughter named Truly -- so at least they won't have to deal with child support.

UFC's Dana White Asks Trump to Save Wrestling Champ ... Sentenced to Die in Iran

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PLEASE SPARE HIM
@danawhite / Twitter

UFC boss Dana White personally called President Trump to ask for help in saving an Iranian wrestling champ who is set to be executed ... and POTUS has already taken action.

As we previously reported, 27-year-old Navid Afkari received TWO death sentences for allegedly participating in a peaceful protest against the government back in 2018.

Afkari is a decorated wrestler in Iran who has medaled in multiple national tournaments, according to several reports.

When White learned about the situation, the UFC honcho says he felt compelled to do something because "he's one of us, could be any one of my fighters."

"The only thing I thought to do was to call the President and see if he could help this man," White says.

"[Trump] said, 'Let us look into it, let me talk to my administration and see if there's something we can do to save his life.'"

President Trump went to Twitter to address Iran's leadership.

"Hearing that Iran is looking to execute a great and popular wrestling star, 27-year-old Navid Afkarai, whose sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets. They were protesting the 'country’s worsening economic situation and inflation.'"

He continued, "To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him."

White also had a message for Iran -- "I would just like to say that I too, respectfully and humbly, ask the government officials in Iran to please not execute this man and spare his life."

Daniel Prude Arrest Body Cam Shows Apparent Suffocation 7 Cops Suspended, Mayor Slams Chief

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EXCESSIVE FORCE
Rochester PD
UPDATE

4:03 PM PT -- Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren just said at a news conference she suspended the officers against counsel's advice and admonished Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary for failing to fully and accurately inform her about what had occurred. She added the police department, mental health care system, society and she herself failed Prude. Warren said she learned about what had happened on August 4.

UPDATE
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I WAS MISLED
WROC
UPDATE

2:39 PM PT -- At least 7 Rochester police officers have been suspended in wake of the release of the body cam footage showing what led to Prude losing consciousness, and ultimately his life, 7 days later.

Graphic new video shows Daniel Prude -- a 41-year-old Black man -- having a hood placed over his head by police, who then press his face into the ground for 2 minutes until he stops breathing ... leading to his death days later.

The disturbing incident happened back on March 23 in Rochester, NY when Prude's brother called for help because Daniel was acting erratically and went out into the cold night with no clothes. This police body cam footage was just released.

Cops arrived to find him in the nude, but Prude complied when they told him to sit down and handcuffed him.

The video shows Prude spitting at one point, then yelling and pleading with officers to let him go before they place a "spit hood" over his head. Moments later when he tries to stand up, they wrestle him down and hold him face down for more than 2 minutes.

After noticing fluid seeping from his mouth, some of the officers become concerned and realize he's unconscious. He never woke up again.

Prude was taken to the hospital and placed on life support, but died a week later. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint" as well as "excited delirium" and PCP intoxication.

Daniel's family released the footage Wednesday, claiming it shows the excessive police force used during the incident. Prude's brother said ... "I placed a phone call for my brother to get help. Not for my brother to get lynched."

Protests are erupting in upstate NY over his killing, which looks tragically similar to what happened to George Floyd 2 months later ... sparking the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement.

The 4 cops involved in Prude's arrest are still on the force. New York's Attorney General Letitia James said she is investigating the incident.

Originally Published -- 7:43 AM PT

Giant Panda Twins 4th Birthday Party!!! Bear-ly Containin' Themselves

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IT'S A CELEBRATION
Zoo Atlanta

Ya Lun and Xi Lun -- the only giant panda twins in America -- got to chow down and chill out to celebrate their birthday ... so a pretty typical day for them, but with presents.

The cute and cuddly beasts were treated Thursday by Zoo Atlanta's Panda Care Team with a "special birthday enrichment" in their big dayroom area ... which included ice cakes, sugarcane "candles" with sweet potato "flames" and birthday boxes to bust open and enjoy.

Inside those boxes -- more treats ... like leaf-eater biscuits, apples, bananas, and sweet potatoes. Pretty awesome gifts for any 4-year-old panda ... sure looks that way anyhow.

The video's beyond adorable and a welcome break from the endless bad news 2020 keeps dumping on us. If you wanna see more ... the zoo's got a panda cam!!!

Joe Biden Meets with Jacob Blake Family ... 'Very Obvious He Cared'

Joe Biden spent over an hour face-to-face with Jacob Blake's family ... and even spoke with Jacob by phone from his hospital bed.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the Democratic Presidential nominee, along with his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, spent a "very engaging" 90-minute in-person meeting with Jacob's father, sisters and brother in their hometown of Kenosha, WI. Crump joined by phone along with Jacob's mother and Jacob himself from his hospital bed.

Crump, the Blake family's attorney, says they were "very impressed that the Bidens were so engaged and willing to really listen." He added ... "They talked about changing the disparate treatment of minorities in police interactions, the impact of selecting Kamala Harris as a Black woman as his running mate" and his plans for change.

As for Biden's convo with Jacob himself ... Crump says the candidate extended "a sense of humanity, treating him as a person worthy of consideration and prayer."

The sit down comes less than a week after Jacob's father spoke by phone with Biden and Harris.

Biden's trip to Kenosha comes on the heels of President Trump's ... who did not meet with the Blake family or even mention Blake by name during the visit.

NYC Street Fight Rat vs. Pigeon DQ'd by Blindside Strike

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SURPRISE ATTACK!
ViralHog

A fight between 2 of New York's most notorious residents -- a pigeon and a rat -- looked like it was going to the death ... until a pipe-wielding referee broke up the action.

All this video is missing is a UFC Octagon, and it looks like the rat was about to make the pigeon tap out ... like, forever. The bird was flapping its wings, desperately trying to get out of the rat's death grip.

Things really weren't looking good for the "rat of the sky" when all of a sudden -- outta nowhere -- a man delivered a crushing blow to the ground rat. The rodent quickly scurried away, but looks like the poor pigeon took a few blows too ... adding insult to injury.

Miraculously, both the bird and the rat seemed to walk away from the melee alive. The pigeon even had some swagger in its step as it left. Then again they always look like they're strutting.

The rematch is gonna be awesome.

Damian Daniels Killing Cops Used Force for a Vet in Mental Distress ... Totally Unnecessary Says Lee Merritt

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WE WERE TRYING TO AVOID THIS
TMZ.com

Damian Daniels, the African-Amerian Army vet killed by cops in Texas, was desperately in need of mental counseling, and not sheriff's deputies responding with force ... according to the family's lawyer.

Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt and Damian's brother, Brendan, joined us on "TMZ Live" to discuss the case which is stirring outrage in the San Antonio area and beyond. Brendan says his family was doing everything they could to avoid having police check on Damian -- a combat veteran who was experiencing some mental distress.

He told us why they purposely called the Red Cross, and not cops, to do a welfare check on his brother just over a week ago -- but in the end, he says the Red Cross ended up calling the Bexar County Sheriff's Department. Brendan and Lee believe that's where things took a horrible turn.

When deputies arrived at Damian's home he was armed, and a struggle ensued with deputies who ended up fatally shooting him. The Sheriff's Dept. claims Damian was suicidal, but Lee and Brendan say that's just not true.

They know Damian was hurting, struggling with mental issues brought on by several recent deaths in their family -- but they don't believe for a second he was threatening to anyone. As for his weapon ... Texas is an open-carry state and the gun was legally owned. Brendan says his brother actually got it while serving America in the Army.

Lee says what's particularly disturbing is the body cam footage of the incident. He says cops have refused to release the video, and instead, have only released a few still images ... which makes the family suspicious.