Luigi Mangione Flooded W/ Follows, Flirty Comments ... After Being Named 'Strong Person of Interest'

UPDATE

3:30 PM PT -- Luigi Mangione's X account has been suspended.

Luigi Mangione's social media presence is blowing up after he was named a person of interest in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Check it out ... earlier this morning, Mangione -- who is currently being questioned by authorities after being picked up in Altoona, Pennsylvania -- had a mere 975 followers on Instagram. His follower count skyrocketed by tens of thousands after his identity was revealed to the public.

At the time of writing, Mangione's IG account -- which has been inactive since 2021 -- had just over 27,000 followers ... many of whom have declared their attraction to the person of interest.

Tina Knowles Denies Reacting to Jay-Z Rape Allegation ... 'I Was Hacked'!!!

Tina Knowles is making it clear she hasn't weighed in on son-in-law Jay-Z's current legal woes ... posting a pointed response after her social media activity was called out.

Beyoncé's mother posted to Instagram on Monday after reports began pointing out that the Knowles matriarch "liked" a post detailing the rape allegation made against Jay-Z and Diddy in a recent lawsuit.

However, as Tina claimed in a note shared to Instagram, she was not the person who liked the news post ... as she said she was "hacked" prior to the social media activity.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Hits The Court To Finalize Divorce Reality Show Cameras Roll

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HITTIN' THE COURT
KB

Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s divorce from Ryan Anderson is officially wrapped up, and fans will get a front-row seat to the momentous occasion -- thanks to a camera crew that was rolling while she was at the courthouse.

Check out these pics and vid, obtained by TMZ, of GRB pulling up at the Lafourche Courthouse in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on Monday morning .... she was dodging the drizzle as she hurried indoors with her stepmom and grandma -- and it was caught on camera for S2 of "Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up."

Gypsy Rose was later spotted stepping back out hiding under a jacket, completely covering her face while heading to a vehicle.

RACHEL LINDSAY SPENDING TIME WITH BEYONCE COLLABORATOR ... Is That Your New Man?!?

Rachel Lindsay was seen spending a lot of time this weekend with what may be a new male companion who has ties to a major A-list artist ... TMZ has learned.

Witnesses tell us the former "Bachelorette" star and Willie Jones, who collaborated on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album, were spotted together on Friday at iHeart’s Jingle Ball in Los Angeles.

We're told the two enjoyed each other's company in the Patrón Lounge suite, where they sat closely, chatting, and laughing throughout the night. Our witnesses say when T-Pain hit the stage, the pair got up to dance.

The two continued to spend time together over the weekend. On Sunday, they were spotted shopping at the Melrose Trading Post, where a store called Blk Rchvs posted a photo of them on social media. In the snap, Willie is seen with his arm around Rachel, fueling even more questions about their status.

UnitedHealthCare CEO Murder Suspect Made Loads of Sloppy Mistakes ... says Ex-FBI Profiler

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TOO MANY MISTAKES
TMZ.com

A former top FBI profiler is breaking down Luigi Mangione’s arrest today -- the prime person of interest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson  ... and he's also pointing out all the "sloppy" blunders made along the way by the person who did the shooting -- Mangione has not been charged in the case.

James Fitzgerald, an ex-FBI profiler who served in NYC during the late '80s and '90s, tells TMZ that the alleged killer -- who he makes clear is innocent until proven guilty -- was no criminal mastermind ... he was just someone laser-focused on completing a mission.

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PERSON OF INTEREST IDENTIFIED

Fitzgerald didn’t hold back, calling out the missteps of whoever committed the murder -- like the "amateur" bullet engravings, using the wrong kind of firearm -- and he comments on key evidence allegedly found in Mangione's possession, asking why it wasn't ditched.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Person of Interest's Fake ID, Gun Shown In Pictures Released by Police

Luigi Mangione -- the person of interest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week -- had items in his possession police say tied him to the case, and now we're getting a look at them.

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, earlier today after a McDonald's employee recognized him from widely distributed suspect photos while he was enjoying a meal inside the fast food restaurant.

Altoona Police have now released an image of Luigi Mangione's fake identification card -- a New Jersey driver's license -- and police say it's the same ID used by Mangione during his stay at a hostel in New York City prior to Thompson's shooting death. Police raided that hostel last week after learning Mangione was renting a room.

Kate Upton Clarifies Cryptic Instagram Message ... Not About Verlander

Kate Upton had her fans concerned last month after posting a worrisome scenario to her Instagram ... but the SI Swimsuit legend is now clarifying the details of the note, saying it had nothing to do with her husband, MLB star Justin Verlander.

As we previously reported, Upton asked her followers about a situation involving a 10-year-old girl traveling with her intoxicated dad ... the father threatens a taxi driver with a gun "if he does not drop them off on the highway at midnight to walk home."

Upton then speculated whether the described scene was an emergency or crime and how "lawyers/judges/advocates/law enforcement/parents" would feel about the matter... but did not explain what exactly was going on until Monday.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Person of Interest's Identity Revealed ... Recognized at McDonald's

The person of interest detained in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been revealed ... and his name is Luigi Mangione.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Mangione is being questioned by authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania ... though, he has not been charged in connection with the fatal shooting.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams confirmed in a Monday news conference that 26-year-old Luigi Mangione is officially the top person of interest in the murder of Thompson.

Bar Refaeli Heats Up For Rooftop Photoshoot ... BTS Hot Shots!!!

Winter is just around the corner, but Israeli model Bar Refaeli is heating things up with her latest photoshoot ... wearing a body-hugging body suit while posing on a rooftop.

Check it out ... the leggy beauty, who is best known for her jaw-dropping Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover and hosting "The X Factor Israel," puts her killer body on display in a gray one-piece and black high heels.

While the start of winter kicks off in a couple weeks, Bar didn't appear to be braving any chilly temperatures ... the sun was shining bright as she struck several poses for the camera.

Ohio State Soccer Player Shot After Game

The Ohio State athletic department just announced a member of its men's soccer team was a victim in an off-campus shooting on Saturday ... revealing the student-athlete is currently surrounded by family members after receiving medical treatment.

The school said redshirt junior Nathan Demian was shot following the team's match against Wake Forest ... but made it clear he is not a suspect in the criminal investigation, nor was he involved in any sort of altercation prior to the incident.

"The soccer program is thankful for the incredible university support and medical care available to Nathan and his family during this difficult time," the athletic department said in a statement.

Jay-Z Rape Accuser's Identity Should Be Revealed ... Tells Judge, 'Fair Is Fair'

Jay-Z says the woman who's suing him, along with Diddy, for allegedly raping her should be forced to reveal her identity, instead of pursuing the case anonymously ... TMZ has learned.

Jay-Z's attorney Alex Spiro filed docs Monday morning, asking the judge to make the plaintiff reveal herself. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Spiro says "Fair is fair. It is not consistent with justice, fairness, or the rules governing federal proceedings for the Plaintiff and her counsel to smear [Jay-Z]'s good name."

Further, the docs state Jay-Z's built an "impeccable reputation" and has never been accused of, or engaged in, any sexual misconduct.

Jack Del Rio OWI Arrest Video 'Can We Just Take A Leak, Man?!?'

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MOANING & GROANING
TMZSports.com

Jack Del Rio had a miserable night in handcuffs following his OWI arrest last month ... TMZ Sports has obtained police video showing he begged an officer to let him "take a leak" -- before he repeatedly screamed and moaned in pain while in the back of a squad car.

The scene all unfolded in Madison, Wisc. back on Nov. 8, after Del Rio had allegedly rammed his vehicle through a person's fence ... and then attempted to flee the area on foot.

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APPROACHED BY COPS
TMZSports.com

Cops say they were able to catch up to the former NFL head coach on a street near the crash site -- and in a police report, officers wrote he reeked of booze.

Daniel Penny Acquitted in NYC Subway Chokehold Case Jury Decided on Lesser Charge

update

11:27 AM -- Penny was all smiles and in a celebratory mood after his acquittal. Check out this photo of him grabbing a few beers with his lawyers, Tom Kenniff and Steven Raiser, inside a bar.

Daniel Penny -- the man who choked Jordan Neely to death on a NYC subway -- has been found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide Monday, according to his attorneys, Tom Kenniff and Steven Raiser ... after prosecutors dropped a manslaughter charge Friday when the jury deadlocked.

The jury of 7 women and 5 men had been deliberating since Tuesday last week in the case -- they deadlocked twice on Friday, telling the judge they could not reach a unanimous verdict. Penny was facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and the negligence count. Prosecutors then moved to drop the manslaughter charge, and the judge allowed it, instructing the jury to consider only that count.

The central issue during the trial ... was whether Penny was justified in placing 30-year-old Neely in what turned out to be a fatal chokehold after witnesses claimed Neely was threatening passengers on a NYC subway car on May 1, 2023.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Person of Interest Detained

A person of interest in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been detained.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a man in Altoona, Pennsylvania is being held for questioning in connection with last week's shooting in New York City.

Our sources tell TMZ ... local police responded after receiving a tip that the person of interest was seen in a McDonald's.

Jay-Z Rappers In Disbelief Over SA Lawsuit ... 50, Foxy, Meek, Soulja Boy 🗣️

Jay-Z is vowing to fight allegations he and Diddy sexually assaulted a minor to the very end ... and several big-name rap stars are reacting over the brewing legal battle!!!

As Jay and attorney Tony Buzbee fire words back and forth, 50 Cent questioned Jay's status as the producer for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show next year ... valid points in today's "cancel culture."

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BEING TARGETED

Soulja Boy called big 🧢 on the accusations and argued that celebrities -- especially African Americans -- are being targeted because of their wealth and success.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder New Video Shows Suspect Lurking Killer Lying in Wait

New video appears to show the suspect wanted for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson ... lying in wait moments before the fatal shooting last week.

The video obtained by ABC News shows a figure wearing what appears to be the same dark clothing and gray backpack shown in photos of the suspect previously released by the NYPD, loitering across the street from the scene of the shooting.

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WAITING FOR THOMPSON

In the new video, the figure lurks among vehicles parked on the street -- then appears to move swiftly toward Thompson. As we've previously seen, the killer emerged from between SUVs parked in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, approached Thompson from behind, and fired multiple rounds. The suspect then calmly walked across the street into an alley, before fleeing on a Citi Bike electric bicycle into Central Park, according to police.