Weapons & Guns

President Trump's relentless attacks on CNN have forced the network to take extreme measures -- offering armed security to on-air talent who have reason to fear for their safety.

Network sources tell TMZ ... CNN brass offered reporters and anchors who have been targets of President Trump around-the-clock protection. We're told the logic is simple ... there are Trump fanatics who believe the President when he calls the media and certain reporters "the enemy of the people," and the fear is that they will take violent action.

There's actual proof here ... the person who sent mail bombs targeted CNN at least twice.

We're told CNN has told the targeted employees they can choose the level of protection they want, ranging from round-the-clock armed guards to more limited security, such as following the personality to and from work.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Don Lemon ... and it doesn't seem like a coincidence a self-proclaimed white nationalist Trump supporter threatened to kill him.

More recently ... a 39-year-old Arkansas man was busted Tuesday for making more than 40 calls to CNN that included death threats aimed at Lemon.

TMZ broke the story ... April Ryan -- a White House correspondent with Urban Radio Networks and well-known CNN contributor -- now has protection after receiving threats over the last few months ... threats which sure seem related to Trump's venom toward her.

3:45 PM PT -- An Instagram user just posted video from inside Borderline Bar & Grill during the shooting. In the video you can see a shadowy figure moving around as gunshots ring out -- the IG user claims that figure is Long, and he was firing shots at injured victims at the time.

8:52 AM PT -- According to more dispatch audio -- obtained by TMZ -- officers can be heard communicating Long suffered 3 gunshot wounds to the chest and is down. They describe him as wearing all black with a beard.

8:35 AM PT -- Long served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008-13 and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2010-2011, his last duty assignment was in Hawaii. His military occupational specialty was machine gunner.

He was decorated too ... some awards included the Navy Unit Commendation (x2), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

7:40 AM PT -- President Trump has ordered flags flown at half-staff on all public buildings and military facilities until sundown on Saturday.

6:45 AM PT -- The shooter's been identified as 28-year-old Ian David Long -- a retired Marine who served in Afghanistan.

We found this pic of Long at a cemetery that appears to be in the L.A./Thousand Oaks area. We're told he was heavily tattooed.

A horrific scene unfolded at a bar packed with college students Wednesday night as a gunman opened fire, and at least 12 people are dead.

Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks was hosting its weekly College Country Night. College students from the area were enjoying themselves, line dancing when, at around 11:20 PM, shots rang out.

A man dressed in all black began firing a handgun. Several patrons broke windows to allow others to escape, cutting themselves on shards of glass as they exited.

Sheriff's deputies responded quickly and as they rushed the bar the gunman opened fire on them, killing Sergeant Ron Helus.

Long reportedly drove his mother's car to the bar. He threw smoke bombs into the crowd before opening fire.

No word yet on the number of injured, but around a dozen people are known to have gone to the hospital. It appears some may have driven themselves and may not be accounted for yet.

President Trump tweeted, "Great bravery shown by police ... God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you law enforcement."

We spoke with multiple coaches from Long's high school baseball team who remember him as a sad loner who didn't have many friends. As one coach put it, he had "sad eyes" and never appeared happy. We're told he also wore an army jacket to school often and it was clear he had ambitions to join the military. One coach tells us, "He was a quiet kid. Respectful. But kept to himself."

Story developing ...

11:50 AM PT -- Tamera just revealed her niece Alaina was one of the victims in the attack ... saying, "Our hearts are broken. We just learned that our Alaina was one of the victims of last night's shooting at Borderline Bar in Thousand Oaks."

She continues, "Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner."

Tamera Mowry is desperately searching for her niece who was at the college bar where a gunman opened fire and brutally killed 12 people.

Tamera's niece, Alaina Housley, was one of just a handful of girls who went line dancing Wednesday night at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks ... this according to a tweet sent by Alaina's friend who added Alaina was the only girl unaccounted for among her friends.

Tamera responded to the tweet saying, "Ashley this is her aunt Tamera Mowry Housley. Can you please DM me your information?" The exchange is pretty heartbreaking ... Ashley replied saying she's been in contact with Alaina's uncle and so far there's nothing new to report.

Tamera's husband, Adam, went looking for Alaina at a local hospital but a reporter tweeted guards wouldn't let him in because the hospital was on lockdown. Making matters worse ... Alaina's Apple Watch and iPhone still showed her location at the bar, this according to the L.A. Times.

Adam told the newspaper, "My gut is saying she's inside the bar, dead. I'm hoping I'm wrong."

Plies just caught a break after being hauled out of an airport in cuffs this summer, because prosecutors are dropping the felony gun charge against the rapper ... TMZ has learned.

A county clerk tells us Plies was facing a felony charge for carrying a concealed firearm, but prosecutors dropped it after he completed a concealed weapons course. They'd also determined he had a valid permit for carrying a concealed weapon.

We broke the story ... Plies was arrested in September after a gun was found in his carry-on luggage as he was attempting to board a Delta flight in Tampa. TSA agents discovered a Glock .43 in one of his bags, as well as a fully-loaded magazine lying next to the firearm, and cops said Plies did not have a permit for the gun.

Sources close to Plies tell TMZ he grabbed the wrong bag by mistake, and admitted the gun is his.

Chief Keef still doesn't want to utter Tekashi69's name after the rainbow-haired MC was linked to a shooting involving Keef -- but he's more than happy to talk symphonies.

We got CK Wednesday on Rodeo Drive, where he appeared to be hitting the strip for some retail therapy. Our guy complimented his fashion choices, but when we tried to ask about 6ix9ine ... Keef quickly warned us off that topic.

He told us point-blank, he doesn't give a f**k about Tekashi, and added we're barking up the wrong tree by asking him about the dude.

Remember, police are still investigating Tekashi after one of his known associates was found to be tailing Keef, leading up to someone opening fire on him in NYC.

But, the Chi-town rapper was happy to talk strings and woodwinds!

While holding strong on his silence policy regarding Tekashi ... he happily opened up about his recent collab with the Drill Symphony on his hit song, "Love Sosa." No doubt, it was a huge left turn for him, musically speaking, but he told us he's down to jam with 'em again.

Jared Goff and his teammates are devastated by the bar shooting that left 12 people dead just miles from the team's headquarters ... with some players vowing to help in any way possible.

FYI -- the L.A. Rams practice facility in Thousand Oaks is just 5 miles from the Borderline Bar & Grill, where David Ian Long opened fire around 11:20 PM on Wednesday.

Goff spoke out about the tragedy on Thursday ... saying "Heartbroken for our community. Thinking about everyone involved as well as friends and family of the victims. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

Offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth added ... "I’m just sorry to those affected. I don’t have words that I feel can help. But I promise to find a way to help support our community through this tragedy!"

The team released a statement saying, "The Los Angeles Rams organization is heartbroken by the horrific shooting that took place last night in our community of Thousand Oaks."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and our entire community."

Punter Johnny Hekker ... "Praying comfort and healing to those affected by this senseless shooting. Thank you to the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect and serve us every day."

"Thousand Oaks is my home; I will do everything in my power to help those in need of support."

Cooper Kupp added, "Heartbroken. Thoughts and prayers are with the people of this community, and those that have lost loved ones."

The L.A. Chargers also shared condolences ... "We are deeply saddened by the terrible news coming out of Thousand Oaks this morning."

The man who allegedly shot and killed Angela Simmons' ex-fiance has turned himself into authorities ... TMZ has learned.

The lawyer for Michael Williams tells TMZ ... Williams turned himself into the Atlanta Police Dept. just moments ago. The 44-year-old has been charged with murder.

The attorney, Jackie Patterson, tells us his client denies the allegations that he shot and killed Sutton Tennyson, Angela's ex-fiance and father of their child.

As we reported ... Sutton was shot and killed over the weekend at his home. Cops say they found him dead in his garage with multiple gunshot wounds. Cops added Sutton was talking in the driveway with another man when the conversation got heated and he was shot. The suspect fled in a car.

Following Sutton's death, Simmons said, "Thank you for leaving behind my greatest gift. I'm hurting. I'm numb. Thank you for the outpouring of love everyone. I can't believe I'm even saying Rest in Peace Sutton. I promise to hold SJ down in every way I promise."

3:20 PM PT -- A grand jury has now indicted Shottie on 2 felonies -- an attempt to commit the crime of assault in the first degree, and assault in the second degree.

9:34 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Shottie has been charged with gang assault -- which is a felony -- and weapon possession for allegedly hitting a guy in the head with a chair.

Tekashi 6ix9ine's Brooklyn crew just got a little smaller, 'cause one of the dudes who allegedly helped spark a shooting last weekend just turned himself in to cops ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Tekashi's manager, Shottie, surrendered to the NYPD Wednesday. Witnesses say he allegedly escalated a violent confrontation between 6ix9ine's NYC entourage and his label head's security.

We broke the story ... gunfire erupted when Tekashi's Tr3yway crew was denied access to a restaurant where Tekashi was set to meet with West Coast music exec Elliot Grainge. Two of Elliot's bodyguards turned Tekashi's entire crew away, which blew up when some of them stuck around and allegedly instigated a brawl ... that ended with someone being shot.

We're told cops believe Shottie was one of three of Tekashi's guys who got violent and allegedly struck the bodyguards with a chair. Eyewitnesses also told cops he uttered an ominous threat, allegedly saying ... "I'm going to violate you both with gunshots."

At some point, we're told one of Elliot's bodyguards saw someone in Tekashi's camp reach for something in their waistband, which prompted him to fire his weapon.

An unidentified member of Tekashi's crew was struck in the gut, and Shottie bolted from the scene while two other Tekashi-linked guys were arrested. Shottie's attorney previously told us his client had no involvement in any crime, and promised the charges would be dropped.

Tekashi69 is in the middle of a deadly game of tug-of-war between his NY crew and his record label team in Cali, which could get worse after last week's shooting ... according to cops, anyway.

Law enforcement sources familiar with the case tell TMZ that they fear more blood could be shed after things reached a boiling point between two factions of Tekashi's world.

We broke the story ... Tekashi was set to meet with record producer Elliot Grainge for a dinner meeting in NYC, but things got heated after Tekashi's entourage was denied entry ... and shots were eventually fired, leaving one of 6ix9ine's guys with a bullet in his gut.

We're told last week's confrontation was not a one-time freak thing -- it had been brewing for a while, as there have been several disagreements between Tekashi's camp in the East and Elliot's team in the West on how Tekashi's career should be managed.

BTW ... Tekashi is signed to Elliot's label, 10k Projects, which also has Trippie Redd signed as an artist.

Regarding the East Coast/West Coast "war," our law enforcement sources say it's nothing on the scale of the Tupac-Biggie beef from the '90s ... it's way smaller than that.

Still, we're told police fear the worst is yet to come between these two groups. Meanwhile, Tekashi has stayed silent on the shooting and the bad blood in general.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will honor the victims and families of those affected by this weekend's Synagogue shooting by wearing a special "Stronger Than Hate" patch on their jerseys Tuesday night.

The team says it will also donate $50,000 to help victims -- and will give all proceeds from the evening's 50/50 raffle to the cause.

There's more ... each player -- from Sidney Crosby to Evgeni Malkin -- will sign their jerseys after the game against the New York Islanders and donate them to be auctioned off with proceeds helping the victims.

As we previously reported ... 11 people were murdered after an anti-Semitic shooter opened fire inside the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday.

Tyler Perry thinks houses of worship should remain holy and sacrosanct, but the sad reality is that armed guards may be necessary.

The "Nobody's Fool" director was in NYC Tuesday, where he said Trump's call to arms in houses of worship is not the solution.

A rabbi in the deep South says he and his congregation are seriously considering taking President Trump's advice -- in the wake of the mass shooting in Pittsburgh -- and arm themselves during worship.

Rabbi Moshe Rube -- who heads up the Knesseth Israel Congregation in Birmingham, AL -- tells TMZ ... he's already spoken to temple members about having someone armed on-site after a gunman killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue.

You'll recall, President Trump caught some flak for suggesting the killing might've been avoided if people inside were armed -- but the idea's clearly gained support from some Jewish leaders.

Rabbi Rube says he's considering several options, including having members carry concealed weapons during services, as long as they're licensed.

Considering Alabama's history of racially-motivated church bombings and anti-Semitic attacks ... the rabbi says it's a difficult subject that simply couldn't be avoided.

Congressman Sean Duffy thinks it's grossly unfair to lay blame on President Trump for the bombs sent to political foes of the Prez -- and he had a heated debate with us over it on TMZ Live.

The Republican rep from Wisconsin -- and former 'Real World' star -- joined us Monday to explain why he believes there's a clear double standard from anyone trying to blame Trump for the pipe bombs mailed to prominent Democrats.

The way Sean sees it, suspected bomber Cesar A. Sayoc was crazy long before Trump took office.

1:22 PM PT -- Cops say Bonnar was speeding down I-15 in a red Cadillac CTS in excess of 90 MPH around 1:15 PM.

Witnesses say he was driving like a maniac. By the time the Highway Patrol responded to the scene, citizens had already surrounded the vehicle and physically restrained Bonnar, who appeared incoherent.

As cops tried to place handcuffs on him, Bonnar woke up and began to resist. With help from the citizens, cops eventually got him cuffed and transported him to a nearby station where he was booked for 3rd-degree felony DUI.

Cops say Bonnar reeked of booze. Medical staff also responded to the scene and determined nothing was medically abnormal, he was just drunk.

UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar was arrested for DUI on Sunday -- after a group of concerned citizens (one armed with a gun) corralled him after an apparent car crash in Nevada.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... witnesses claim the 41-year-old was driving erratically and feared he would hurt someone.

Somehow, a group of concerned citizens wrangled Bonnar to the ground and kept him at bay until law enforcement arrived.

One he was taken into official custody he was booked for DUI, resisting arrest and unsafe driving. Bail was set at $22,000.

Bonnar is a UFC legend -- he fought Forrest Griffin in the finale of the very first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" back in 2005 -- a fight that's regarded as one of the best and most important in UFC history.

Bonnar lost that fight, but got a UFC contract out of the deal and went on to have a pretty solid career -- fighting guys like Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

Sarah Palin has an answer for stopping mass shootings in America ... and it has nothing to do with restricting gun sales or getting more weapons in the hands of law enforcement.

We got Sarah Monday at LAX and asked about the deadly attack at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and what can be done to prevent domestic terrorism ... and Sarah tells us it's all about religion -- or lack thereof.

Check out the clip ... Sarah preaches about driving out evil by worshiping God, telling us why religion will be way more effective than protesting or screaming into the Twittersphere.

President Trump's call for arming synagogues after the mass shooting in Pittsburgh really is NOT a crazy idea ... so says Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, one of the country's most prominent Jewish leaders.

Shmuley -- who's been dubbed "America's Rabbi" and a rabbi to the stars -- tells us he completely agrees with DT's suggestion that armed security should be in place at places of worship after a gunman killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue Saturday.

There's a catch though, according to Shmuley. He says beefing up security at synagogues across the U.S.A. ain't gonna be cheap, and Uncle Sam's gotta chip in to make it happen.

Even more troubling ... he tells us synagogues everywhere are already considering moves to protect themselves in the wake of the anti-Semitic attack. He goes on to condemn social media posts made by the suspected shooter, Robert Bowers, illustrating his hatred of Jews.