RIP

12:05 PM PT -- Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes gave updates to the case this afternoon, and clarified a significant detail about the school shooting.

"Yesterday, after looking at the computer-aided dispatch system, it seems as if a call came from a second-grader -- it actually read, 'The call came from a second-grade teacher.' That was a mistake. That's my responsibility, and I apologize, and I clarify that today. It did not come from a second-grader -- it read 'second-grade teacher.'"

A 15-year-old girl has been identified as the Wisconsin school shooter who killed a student and a teacher and seriously injured several more people.

According to police, Natalie Rupnow died by suicide Monday after going on her terrifying shooting rampage at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, WI, where she was also a student.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes announced at last night's press conference that Rupnow — who went by the name Samantha — was the assailant, which came as a total shock because of her age and gender.

Diane Delano -- famous for her roles in "Northern Exposure" and "The Wicker Man" -- has died, TMZ has learned.

Diane's rep tells us ... the actress passed away at her home in Los Angeles Friday after a brief illness. An official cause of death was not released.

Diane was best known for playing St. Barbara Semanski on the CBS TV series "Northern Exposure" in the 1990's, as well as Sister Beech in the 2006 film, "The Wicker Man," starring Nicholas Cage.

Phoenix Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale -- famously known as the "Original Sun" -- has passed away, the team announced Monday. He was 81 years old.

The Suns shared the heartbreaking news just minutes ago ... saying, "Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time."

Van Arsdale was a star for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1962-65 ... earning All-American honors alongside his identical twin, Tom.

Offset getting to see Cardi B last night at his birthday party in Miami wasn't his only surprise of the evening ... the newly certified 33-year-old got a shiny memento of his late Migos bro Takeoff!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained footage from the peak of Set's private birthday party during Art Basel at Habibi.

Mazza New York surprised Offset with a jewelry box as he was posted up with Travis Scott, who had just finished his helicopter-boosted Rolling Loud set, where we're hearing he sold more tix than the other two headliners combined!!!

A waiter prosecutors want to charge in connection with Liam Payne's death admits he used cocaine with the singer ... but insists he didn’t get paid and is NOT a drug dealer.

Braian Paiz told us in our upcoming documentary "TMZ Investigates: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?" -- airing Monday night at 8 PM ET on FOX — he partied with Liam in the singer’s Buenos Aires Hotel room.

Paiz says they drank whiskey and used the cocaine he brought to the hotel. He says they did it on 2 occasions … the second just 2 days before Liam’s fatal fall from the hotel balcony.

Jill Jacobson -- a longtime actress in Hollywood with parts in "Falcon Crest" and 'Star Trek' -- has died ... according to reports.

Jacob's longtime friend Dan Harary tells The Hollywood Reporter ... Jill passed away earlier this month in Los Angeles after battling a long illness.

Jacobson kicked off her career in Hollywood in a series of small roles beginning in the late 1970s ... eventually appearing in well-known flicks like "Splash."

Liam Payne's close friend, now in the crosshairs of Argentinian authorities -- insists when he left the singer at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel an hour before his death, he seemed fine ... But authorities and eyewitnesses say that's anything but true.

Roger Nores appears in our new documentary, "TMZ Investigates: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?" -- which airs Monday night at 8 PM ET on FOX -- says he was with Liam on and off the day he fell from the hotel balcony to his death.

Nores says, he checked on Liam three times during the day, and when he left an hour before the fatal fall Liam seemed happy and fine, although a little tipsy.

Conan O'Brien's parents passed away earlier this week ... with his mother dying Thursday, just three days after his father.

Dr. Thomas O’Brien's health had been failing for a long time prior to his death on Monday, according to the Boston Globe, while Ruth Reardon O’Brien passed peacefully on December 12.

Dr. O'Brien was an expert in antimicrobial drug resistance research -- serving as director of the Infectious Diseases Division at what is now Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also taught at Harvard as an associate professor, finally retiring in 2019 at the age of 90.

The Amazing Kreskin -- the world-renowned mentalist with connections to some of the biggest stars in show business -- has died ... according to a statement posted to his social media.

Kreskin's social media accounts posted a statement late Tuesday ... explaining the star passed away in the middle of the holiday season he loved so much.

According to the post, Kreskin decorated his house with numerous decorations and multiple Christmas trees each year -- and hosted lavish Christmas parties where he regaled guests with "Ave Maria."

Michael Cole, who was notably the last surviving star of the '60s/'70s hit crime drama "The Mod Squad," has died ... his reps confirmed Tuesday.

Per the actor's team ... Michael passed away peacefully this morning while surrounded by his loved ones. They applauded the late star for "living a full and vibrant life."

A cause of death was not shared.

The suspected killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO began shouting toward media cameras as he was quickly rushed into a Pennsylvania courthouse on Tuesday ... where he will face his extradition hearing.

Luigi Mangione began shouting as soon as he was led out of a police van in an orange jumpsuit ... saying in part "... Completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!"

It was difficult to make out exactly what the suspect was saying ... 'cause as soon as he started his stunt, officers roughly manhandled him inside.

Authorities are reportedly weighing charges against two more people in connection with Liam Payne’s death investigation, according to new legal documents.

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ a judge is considering charges in a new filing Monday against two employees at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Liam fell to his death from his third-floor balcony.

The judge referred to both the receptionist who called 911 twice the morning Liam died and the hotel manager as "imputados" or "people charged."

The man accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO is being celebrated by a portion of the country ... and now some are trying to make a buck off that twisted admiration.

Here's the deal ... Luigi Mangione was apprehended Monday ... and hours later, the Manhattan D.A. charged him with murder in the brazen December 4 fatal shooting of Brian Thompson.

Ever since the cold-blooded murder ... Mangione cultivated a large fan following of those who hate the health insurance industry -- so, it is not that big of a surprise that there's now merchandise celebrating the suspect.

Luigi Mangione is now charged with the cold-blooded killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO ... and social media is being flooded with memes hailing the suspect as a hero.

Here's the deal ... 26-year-old Mangione was apprehended Monday and hours later the Manhattan D.A. charged him with murder for the brazen December 4 fatal shooting of Brian Thompson. He's also facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon, possession of a forged instrument, and 2 counts of possession of a loaded firearm.

Mere minutes after the suspect was identified and internet sleuths found his socials ... admirers began posting Super Mario Bros. and "Sopranos" memes celebrating Mangione.

Luigi Mangione, who has been named a person of interest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been described as an all-around good guy ... this according to his friends.

Sources close to Mangione tell TMZ ... they don't have anything negative to say about the person of interest -- though, some had some not-so-nice things to say about his family. (More on that later on!!!)

One pal described LM as "an exceptionally kind and compassionate friend" ... and made a point to highlight that Mangione, who attended University of Pennsylvania, is a "very intelligent" individual.

The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was one of the biggest stories of the week ... so, it wasn't surprising when "Saturday Night Live" addressed the situation first thing on 'Weekend Update.'

Check it out ... longtime 'Weekend Update' co-anchor Colin Jost weighed in on the shooting at the very top of the sketch show's segment ... as he roasted New York City officials for the ongoing manhunt and called out the country's thirsty reaction to the suspected shooter's looks.

As Jost put it ... there were two distinct reactions when images of the alleged assassin surfaced this week -- "Yeah, well healthcare stinks" and "Girl, that shooter hot."