Pride CA Shop Owner Shot Over Rainbow Flag Hanging Outside Store

A woman who owns two clothing stores in California was shot and killed by a man who made derogatory comments about the pride flag hanging outside her business.

The fatal shooting happened Friday night in Lake Arrowhead, CA ... with law enforcement saying the suspect shot the shop owner, Lauri Carleton, because he didn't like the rainbow flag outside her clothing store.

Lauri owns the Mag.Pi store in Lake Arrowhead and another in Studio City ... and she's been a top fashion designer in Los Angeles for decades.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff says deputies arrived at the scene of Friday's shooting to find Lauri suffering from a gunshot wound ... and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

The sheriff says the killer, armed with a handgun, fled on foot and he was tracked down about a mile away from the store ... with deputies shooting and killing him.

It's unclear if the fatal shooting will be investigated as a possible hate crime, though San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe called the incident a "senseless act of hate and violence."

Rowe said in a statement ... "Everyone deserves to live free of hate and discrimination and practice their constitutional right of freedom of speech. Lauri was a remarkable member of the community and I send my deepest condolences to her family in this time of grief."

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Lauri is survived by her husband of 28 years and their 9 children.

She was 66.

RIP

Maui Wildfires Model Sells Nudes For Relief Funds ... GoFundMe Shuts Her Down

The OnlyFans model using her nude photos to raise money for Maui wildfire relief efforts can no longer crowdfund on GoFundMe ... because the platform shut down her efforts.

Mariah Casillas, who goes by Lavagrll on social media, was sending nudes to folks who donated $10 to victims of the deadly Maui wildfires ... and a GoFundMe she started this week was raking in a ton of dough until her page was shut down.

The model raised over $7,400 in just a few days, but the manner in which she collected the money seems to have ruffled some feathers over at the crowdfunding giant.

Selling Nudes For Relief ...

A GoFundMe Spokesperson tells TMZ ... her fundraiser was removed for violating the website's terms of service, specifically, the "prohibited conduct section."

We're told all of the model's donors have been refunded ... so they're essentially getting her nudes for free.

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She's now taking her nude fundraiser over to OnlyFans ... where it will likely get a different reaction from the folks calling the shots.

As for GoFundMe, they tell us folks looking to donate to rebuilding efforts on the island should pledge money through their new Maui wildfire centralized hub ... nudes not included.

For more influencer news, tune in to the TMZ Verified podcast. Dropping every Thursday on all podcast platforms.

'This Is Us' Star Ron Cephas Jones Dead at 66

Ron Cephas Jones, famous for his work on "This Is Us," is dead.

The veteran actor died as a result of a long-standing lung issue ... according to his rep.

Ron won two Emmy Awards for his role as William Hill on the hit show "This Is Us" and he was nominated four times overall. Both of his Emmys were for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Ron's rep says the late actor's "his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him."

In addition to his work on "This Is Us," Ron acted in a bunch of other TV shows ... including "Law & Order: Organized Crime" and "Better Things," plus "Luke Cage" and "Looking For Alaska," just to name a few.

Ron, who grew up in New Jersey, previously told The New York Times he was had been diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease ... and in 2020 he needed a double lung transplant.

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He was 66.

RIP

Valentina Ferrer Melts Miami With Model Bod!

This week's Summer Hot Shots are making their way from South Beach where Argentinian model Valentina Ferrer flossed on Florida with her perfectly bronzed buns, a stringy bikini and boonie cap.

When this Miami Beach mama isn't soaking in the sun down south, Valentina models around the world, focuses on her health line Kapowder and spends her time raising her adorable baby with her longtime love ... and Reggaeton king...  J Balvin!

Mi Gente!

Be sure to check back in all summer long to see who will be melting down your modems with our Summer Hot Shots Features from around the world!

Now That's a Snake!!! Teens Catch 16-Foot Python in Florida

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Cronin's and the Glades Boys

A few teenage boys are celebrating a massive discovery in a Florida swamp after coming face-to-face with 16 feet of slithering reptile!!!

Chris Cronin, the father of teenage python hunters Jack and Brendan, tells TMZ ... he and his sons were out combing through Big Cypress Swamp. The Cronins and some friends call themselves the Glades Boys, and they needed all hands on deck when they stumbled upon the beast of a serpent last weekend.

Chris says they were hoping to get a hold of a 5-foot or maybe 7-foot python during the search, but instead they took things to the next level.

They recorded the whole find and capture ... first, Jack jumped on its head to secure it, and then the rest of the gang helped collect the rest of the lengthy body. Of course, they snapped a few proud pics with the python.

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Worth noting the big snake was killed after this capture -- pythons are an invasive non-native species in the area, so it's standard procedure to destroy them. Chris says the snake was handed over to the state for research after their hunt was over.

Did we mention it was Jack and Brendan's first python hunt?? Quite the giant to find for an inaugural outing!

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

Hidden behind this mashed-up image is a singer and actress who was born in New Mexico, grew up in Dallas, Texas and turned into a child star in the early 2000s! Don't let the swirled eyebrows get in your way from guessing this A-lister!

From "Camp Rock" to "Confident," there's no denying she's got skills for days! And when she's not belting it out, you can catch her sharing her latest tats and hairstyles ... today, she's celebrating her 31st birthday, and she's "Sorry Not Sorry" about it!

Can you unscramble the altered pic and guess the celeb?!

NFL Star Jimmy Graham Arrested After Alleged Medical Episode ... New Video Shows Him Running From Security

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5:01 PM PT -- Here's video of Jimmy Graham running down a street at the Saints' resort and being chased by security guards in the leadup to his Friday arrest.

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In the footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, you see the NFL player running away from two security guards at a Southern California resort.

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Folks who were there says Jimmy was hiding in some bushes before fleeing from security.

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9:59 AM PT -- The Saints just addressed Graham's arrest ... saying the tight end experienced a "medical episode" Friday night, which resulted in him becoming disoriented.

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After he was taken into custody, the team says Graham was sent to a nearby hospital to get checked out.

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The Saints added Graham likely suffered a seizure ... and spent the night in the medical facility to receive further testing. He is now back with the team.

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We broke the story -- Graham was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer.

Jimmy Graham's NFL comeback has hit a roadblock -- the New Orleans Saints tight end was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance Friday night ... after cops say they saw him wandering in traffic.

TMZ Sports has learned ... law enforcement responded to a call for a suspicious person acting erratically near a Southern California resort.

At the scene, cops claim they witnessed Graham walking in the streets ... and they attempted to arrest him, but he resisted.

The 36-year-old was eventually taken into custody for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer -- both misdemeanors.

Graham has since been released. The incident is currently under investigation.

FYI -- the Saints are in town in preparation for their preseason matchup against the Chargers on Sunday ... and spent part of their training camp in joint practice with their upcoming opponent earlier this week.

In fact, Graham commented on a video of him chatting with his former quarterback, Drew Brees, during Friday's practice at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa.

Graham has played for the Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears over the course of his 12-year career ... and is slated to return this season after sitting out the 2022 campaign.

He signed a one-year deal to return to New Orleans in July.

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Graham has 713 career catches, 8,506 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.

We're reached out to the Saints and the NFL ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 9:01 AM PT

SAM ASGHARI Help Me Hide From Paparazzi!!! Needs Disguise Amid Britney Divorce

Sam Asghari knows he's going to be under the spotlight as his divorce from Britney Spears plays out ... so now he's playfully asking folks for help hiding from photogs.

Britney's estranged husband just posted a hilarious poll on his Instagram story ... asking fans to vote on one of three disguises he can use to throw the paparazzi off his scent.

Sam's choices include glasses with a gray mustache and gray hair, aviator sunglasses with curly brown hair, or a very Gen-Z TikTok haircut.

It's all in good fun ... Sam's still pretty recognizable in any of the three disguises, and the paparazzi are not easily fooled. Unless Sam's going all Richard Simmons.

Remember .. Sam filed for divorce this week after getting into a blowout fight with Britney over allegations she physically abused him and cheated.

Britney broke her silence on the split the night before Sam's paparazzi disguise poll, saying she's a "little shocked" by the divorce, though she suggests their marriage wasn't working and admits she "couldn't take the pain anymore honestly."

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The divorce and ensuing fallout are of course HUGE news ... so Sam's going to be hounded by paparazzi ... and he is clearly bracing for the storm.

Kevin Costner Here's Your White Knight ... Ready For Divorce Depo

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Kevin Costner appears to be making a statement at his divorce deposition ... showing up in all white.

The "Yellowstone" star casually strolled into Saturday's depo in Santa Barbara in an all-white ensemble, keeping it cool behind some dark sunglasses and leaving the top of his dress shirt unbuttoned.

Kevin's sitting down to answer questions under oath about his divorce from estranged wife Christine Baumgartner ... and he's got his lawyer, Disso Queen Laura Wasser, in his corner.

Christine was quite the opposite on her way into the depo ... wearing a red blouse and dark slacks, with a couple fancy bags.

She was actually scheduled to arrive for her deposition after Kevin, but she showed up about a half hour before him ... and it looks like she means business.

Remember ... Kevin and Christine's divorce has gotten extremely contentious.

Most recently, Kevin's lawyers slammed Christine over their prenuptial agreement ... as there have been some signals she's going to contest the prenup on grounds she didn't understand what she was signing.

It's a good bet Wasser is going to grill Christine over the prenup ... and there's a lot on the line for Kevin's estranged wife.

If Christine challenges the prenup and the judge enforces it, she will have to return the $1.5 million Kevin already fronted her, plus pay his attorney's fees.

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Kevin and Christine are also battling over how much money she'll get in child support ... but he looks at ease heading into his depo.

'The Challenge' Paulie Calafiore I'm Attracted To Men and Women ... Comes Out After MTV Show

Paulie Calafiore, who just got eliminated from MTV's "The Challenge: USA," is coming out as bisexual.

The reality TV star came out to GLAAD, saying he almost feels guilty about waiting so long to share his truth.

Paulie says he decided to come out as bisexual after changing his perspective ... explaining, "There might be other people that are going through this exact same thing …and maybe this is what they needed to hear and what they needed to see in order to do it themselves."

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For Paulie, one of the hurdles was his upbringing as an athlete ... he says he felt pressure to be viewed publicly as a strong athlete and competitor, and that sports culture made him feel like he had to repress his sexuality.

Paulie, who is also a "Big Brother" alum, says since coming out as bisexual he's been accepted by his family and his longtime girlfriend and fellow 'Challenge' star Cara Maria Sorbello.

Now that the weight's been lifted, Paulie tells TMZ ... "I really don’t know what to say at this point other than I’m extremely grateful. I am looking forward to what the future holds, the community has been so welcoming and so has everyone from all walks of life."

Famous Meme Dog Cheems Dead at 12

Cheems, one of the most famous dogs on the internet, is dead after a battle with cancer.

The viral meme dog died Friday during a surgical procedure ... according to his owners, who say he fell asleep during surgery and never woke up.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Cheems shot to fame way back in 2017 when an awkward photo of him went viral ... sparking a meme that is still shared to this day.

Also known as Pup Balltze or just Balltze, the shiba inu was famous for his love of cheeseburgers ... and he's got his own meme character, Cheemsburger.

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The pup's owners say ... "Don't be sad, please remember the joy that Balltze brought to the world. A Shiba Inu with a round smiling face connecting you and me, he has helped many people during the pandemic and brought a lot of joy to many of you, but now his mission has completed."

Cheem's family believes he's in a better place now ... "running freely in the sky and having a lot of delicious food with his new friends."

Naturally, Cheems is getting a grand send-off on social media ... with the meme getting posted all over the place.

Cheems was 12.

RIP

Billy Porter on Hollywood Strike I've Got Venom and Rage For Studios ... But Trying To Have Grace

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Billy Porter has three things for the Hollywood studios, producers and executives he blames for the strikes ... venom, rage and a little bit of grace.

The actor was at LAX Friday when a photog asked him about the unnamed studio exec who was quoted as saying studios are purposefully delaying negotiations with the writers and actors "until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses."

Billy unloads ... he says he's already losing his home, and his financial situation is why there are strikes in the first place ... though he's not quite going full Ron Perlman here.

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WATCH YOUR BACK

Getting emotional, Billy says the strikes aren't a game ... and he's trying to have some grace about the situation he and others in Hollywood find themselves in.

At the same time, Billy says he's tried to bite his tongue because he knows all that's going to come out of his mouth is venom and rage, which he fears will not be useful to the strike's end goal.

Billy also seems to reference some of his recent interviews, like the one where he slammed Harry Styles' Vogue cover and called Anna Wintour a bitch.

For Billy, he says he's just telling the truth and is getting dragged as a result of keeping it real.

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Billy says the blowback is new for him, but that won't stop him from being open, vulnerable and truthful about all topics, Hollywood strikes or otherwise.

Drake Catches Book Thrown at Him ... Beat You If It Hit My Face!!!

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DAMN, DRAKE

Drake's now having books thrown at him onstage, in addition to bras ... and it sounds like a fan got lucky the page-turner didn't smack him in the face.

Ya gotta see the video from Drizzy's Friday concert in San Francisco ... he's onstage talking to fans between a break in songs when suddenly a book comes hurtling out of the crowd, and he snatches it with one hand.

While it appears the book may have gone over his head, Drake told the book-thrower ... "You lucky I'm quick. Would've had to beat your ass if that hit me in the face."

Champagne Papi's been totally cool with women throwing bras at him during his concerts, even helping one big-chested fan go viral and land modeling deals.

But, it appears book throwing is crossing a line for Drake.

It's part of a larger trend unfolding at concerts ... Bebe Rexha got hit in the face with a flying phone, Keslea Ballerini took a friendship bracelet to the noggin and someone even threw a bag of cremated ashes at Pink.

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Fortunately, Drake's got cat-like reflexes.

Fat Joe Turns 53 $100M Yacht Bday Bash!!! Babyface, Remy, Kim, More Perform!!!

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Fat Joe made a huge splash to ring in his 53rd birthday — on a $100 million superyacht surrounded by his closet and coolest pals, including Babyface, who performed a song he’s never done live!!!

The BX bomber’s shindig went down on the Hudson River across from NYC and was hosted by Market America co-founder Loren Ridinger.

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Babyface ribbed Joe for being his #1 superfan but did him a solid and performed his favorite song, “Given A Chance” a deep cut from BF’s 1989 album “Tender Lover” … and managed to bring the house down, without sinking the ship!!!

Other artists in attendance such as Jim Jones and Styles P also performed hits but Remy Ma stole the show when she grabbed the mic and rapped Lil Kim’s “Quiet Storm (Remix)” verse — in front of the Queen Bee and sent everyone into a frenzy!!!

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Mary J. Blige, Angie Martinez, CC Sabathia, Chrissy Lampkin and many more were on deck to soak up the good times … and good times were had!!! 🍾

Britney & Sam Divorce Turns Bitter, No Longer Talking

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have totally shut down any and all communication with one another, leaving it up to their legal teams to handle everything moving forward.

Sources connected to the estranged pair tell us ... things got really nasty when Sam left their home, and the two haven't spoken since.

From here on out, we're told all communication, negotiations and any other business to be handled between the two will be done by their legal teams.

While totally shutting down communication might seem improbable, it's important to note the two never had kids -- so there's no need to communicate about child care, schedules, or even FaceTime calls between parents and kiddos -- making it easier to avoid talking.

US Weekly was first to report they've stopped communication.

TMZ broke the story ... Sam moved out after he believed Britney was cheating with a staffer at their home. At this time, we're told the relationship between Sam and Britney is so bad that people around them believe it's possible they may never talk again.

We were also the first to tell you there's a growing concern for Britney's well-being, as Sam was her main support system, and she's totally iced out the rest of her family.

Sam posted a statement on the divorce Thursday, writing in part, "After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and I have decided to end our journey together." He's also taking a lot of heat for mentioning, "S*** happens" in his statement ... as many feel he showed a lack of sincerity in how things ended with Britney.

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Britney has yet to publicly speak about the divorce.

Jeremy Allen White, Addison Timlin Friendliest Divorce Ever!!!

Jeremy Allen White and Addison Timlin have figured out what seems to be an elusive concept in divorce generally and Hollywood divorces specifically ... parting without hate.

Jeremy and Addison both showed up for their daughter's soccer practice Friday in L.A., and at least on the surface, they seemed like a happy family.

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As we reported, Addison has filed for divorce and Jeremy seems to have moved on to a new relationship with model Ashley Moore, with whom he was making out earlier this month.

Nevertheless, Jeremy and Addison, who share 2 young daughters, seemed to get along just fine, at times high-fiving and hugging each other. And they don't seem like phony hugs, either!

Apparently, this soccer team is a thing for celebs ... Hilary Duff was there as well.

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When you watch Angelina/Brad, Kevin/Christine, Britney/Sam, you gotta give it to Jeremy and Addison ... they do divorce right.