Weapons & Guns

Michael J. Snyder -- known for being the first franchisee of the Red Robin restaurant chain, who later became CEO -- has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head ... TMZ has learned.

Yakima County Chief Deputy Coroner Marshall Slight tells us ... Snyder committed suicide with a high-powered gun Sunday in Washington state. We're told he shot himself on a bench in the front yard of his home.

Slight says police responded to a 911 call and found Snyder's body ... no suicide note was left behind.

Michael and his brother became the first Red Robin franchisees in 1979 and went on to open 14 of the burger restaurants in Washington, Colorado and Idaho. Snyder merged his franchise company with the parent company in 2000 ... and took over as CEO and President.

He was ousted in 2005, though, after an internal investigation discovered he had misused funds and charter planes. He reportedly remained the largest individual shareholder of the company.

Neighbors around the home where Magic Johnson's daughter escaped a home invasion are on edge ... and surveillance cams captured some suspicious activity just before the armed robbery went down.

We've obtained these videos, taken just an hour before Elisa Johnson ran out of the San Fernando Valley Airbnb where 2 armed men held her friends at gunpoint. The first video shows 2 men in hoodies -- one of them on the phone -- walking around that neighborhood around 3:30 AM. We're told they walked back about a half hour later.

Another video shows a black Cadillac Escalade driving in the same neighborhood with its headlights off around 3:45 AM. We're told the Escalade went up and down the hill twice.

At this point, there's nothing to connect the 2 men or the Escalade to the home invasion -- police are investigating, but we're told neighbors were already on edge due to other violent crimes.

We're told Elisa was running down this same street, knocking on neighbors' doors and pleading with them to call 911.

We broke the story ... 2 armed men robbed Elisa's friends and made off with a Rolex, cash and electronics for a total haul worth between $30-40k.

TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie knows 90% of Americans want what he does when it comes to gun reform, but what might surprise you is he says a majority of NRA members also back his plan.

Blake was on TMZ Live Wednesday when he told us he's planning to hit up NRA leaders about his initiative to get Congress to enact universal background checks for all gun purchases. He told us the vast majority of the NRA's rank and file members support it ... so he's hoping the org gets on board with his "End Gun Violence Together" campaign.

Blake has said the Thousand Oaks bar mass shooting sparked his company's interest in taking a stand. He kicked things into high gear last week announcing on 'The Tonight Show' that TOMS will donate $5 million to several organizations working to end gun violence.

He's proudly touting, and rightfully so, the technology on toms.com that makes it simpler than ever to mail a postcard to your elected officials, demanding they back universal background checks.

A North Carolina man grabbed a shotgun and fired at his son during a HEATED Thanksgiving Day argument about kneeling players in the NFL.

Makes you feel a little better about your family, right?

Here's the deal ... cops say 51-year-old Jorge Luis Valencia-Lamadrid had invited family members over to his home for Turkey Day when his two sons began arguing about NFL kneelers.

The sons began fighting and Jorge tried to break it up -- but realized his kids were too strong. So, he went and got his shotgun.

Officials say Jorge told his 21-year-old son -- who appeared intoxicated -- to leave the home.

Things began to escalate again -- and the son allegedly threw a water bottle at Jorge, striking him in the face -- and causing him to squeeze the trigger on his gun.

The shot connected with his son -- striking him in the hand and leg. Jorge told cops he checked on his son, made sure he wasn't seriously injured and then went inside to change his clothes.

Don't worry, the son will be fine.

As for Jorge, he was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He's since been released.

Senator Dianne Feinstein got a serious bomb threat a month before pipe bombs started showing up at the homes and offices of other prominent politicians ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs ... an intern at the California Senator's field office on Santa Monica Blvd. answered the phone on September 26 and a man on the line wanted to confirm the address of the office. He got mad and blurted out he was gonna "bomb the place" and hung up.

The intern, concerned with what he had just heard, told his supervisor who then contacted Capitol police. According to the docs, cops executed a search warrant for phone records in hopes of identifying the caller.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... no arrests have been made and it's an ongoing investigation.

The bomb threat came nearly a month to the day before pipe bombs were sent to former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, among others. There was also a package addressed to former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's HQ and Robert De Niro.

It had been believed a similar package was sent to Feinstein's field office on October 25 ... but the item turned out to be harmless.

4:34 PM PT -- CBP San Diego says pedestrian bridges between Tijuana and San Diego are now open again in both directions, heading north and south.

Tensions are at a boiling point at the U.S.-Mexico border in California, where migrants have started to clash with border agents ... who've also begun throwing tear gas at them and their children.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed the San Ysidro border crossing outside of San Diego Sunday, as hundreds of migrants trying to enter the U.S. -- many of whom are seeking asylum -- gathered at the border and demanded entry. Some of them even started throwing rocks at agents, and U.S. agents reportedly responded by throwing tear gas into the crowd.

The move is drawing heavy criticism, as there are children among the migrants. No shots have been fired, but remember ... President Trump essentially gave the green light for retaliation a few weeks ago as the migrant caravan made its way north.

Needless to say, it's an intense scene. As for a possible solution ... the Trump administration reportedly struck a deal with the incoming Mexican government to keep asylum seekers south of the border as their cases are heard in court.

It pays to protect Tekashi69 -- especially these days -- 'cause he spared NO expense when it came to hiring muscle to cover his ass in La La Land ... TMZ has learned.

Tekashi hired a small army from 2 different security companies during his recent 10-day stay in L.A. -- we saw the mountainous men shadowing him everywhere. We're told the armed guards provided round-the-clock protection and 3 bulletproof SUVs ... all for the low, low price of $97,165.

Sounds like a ton of cash, until you add the context of what went down during that trip ... starting with nearly coming to blows with Slim 400 in an intense showdown.

6ix9ine's security had to hold him back, which almost certainly saved him from an immediate probation violation and prison time.

Then, a few days later the Bev Hills shooting went down. We're told there were only 2 shifts of security initially scheduled for the music video set, but after the gunmen opened fire ... they called in a third emergency shift. As a result, Tekashi racked up 25 hours of protection for that single event!

The kicker? The security companies ain't happy ... and not due to the bullets. We're told Tekashi hasn't paid his tab, but to be fair he's had bigger things on his mind.

11/24 10:30 AM PT -- Police are now saying that the man shot and killed Thursday night at the Alabama mall "likely did not fire" the shots that wounded and hospitalized 2 people, an 18-year-old and a 12-year-old.

Authorities say they mistakenly believed 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. was the shooter, but admit now "our initial media release was not totally accurate." Bradford -- who was shot and killed by an officer as he fled the scene -- is believed to have been involved in the altercation ... but was not the gunman.

The actual suspected gunman is still at large.

A confrontation erupted at an Alabama mall on Thanksgiving night, and it ended with a gunman injuring 2 before he was shot dead.

The incident went down at Alabama's largest enclosed mall -- the Riverchase Galleria in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover.

There was an argument between a 21-year-old man and an 18-year-old male. The 21-year-old pulled out a gun and shot the 18-year-old twice in the torso. An armed, off-duty cop who was working security shot the gunman as he fled, killing him.

A 12-year-old girl was shot in the melee, although it's unclear if the bullet was from the gun of the shooter or the officer.

The 2 victims are expected to survive. The 12-year-old girl had to undergo surgery. She's in stable condition.

Tekashi69 appears to have ordered his goons to shoot up Chief Keef's cousin, days before Keef narrowly escaped gunfire in New York City.

In shocking new footage, obtained by TMZ, you see Tekashi on FaceTime with Chief's cousin, Tadoe, asking him if he's going to be at Keef's NYC hotel. When the convo ends, 6ix9ine brags to his crew about placing a $30,000 bounty on Tadoe.

It's interesting ... the video was recorded in late May, just days before someone shot at and missed Chief Keef at the W Hotel in Times Square. Remember, 6ix9ine and Keef were beefing all spring over social media leading up to the shooting.

We got Tekashi in Bev Hills hours after bullets flew in Keef's direction, and 6ix9ine denied any involvement. But, Tekashi's very public denial didn't stop cops from looking into his role in the failed hit.

Tekashi is now sitting with neutral inmates at a federal facility after getting busted on racketeering, among other charges. Prosecutors say 6ix9ine and his crew conspired to commit a slew of crimes, including shootings.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" star David Henrie used some legal magic to dodge jail time in his airport gun case -- and by magic we mean ... he took a plea deal.

The actor pled no contest Wednesday to possessing a weapon at the airport ... according to the court clerk. We're told Henrie was sentenced to 2 years probation and 20 days of community labor, but he won't spend any time behind bars.

David also has to take a gun safety course and drop some cash for fines and fees.

We broke the story ... Henrie was originally charged with 3 crimes after being busted at LAX with a loaded gun in September. As part of the deal, he got 2 charges dropped -- carrying a loaded firearm and carrying a concealed firearm.

Future and Drake turned ATL's famed Magic City strip club into "Future City" for the rapper's birthday, but the party was cut short when a report of gunfire brought cops to the scene ... TMZ has learned.

Sources say Future and Drake's invite-only party brought in rappers Lil Yachty, Jacquees, Pastor Troy, Casino, MJAE The Great & 550 and Atlanta Falcons stud Julio Jones. Solid guest list and they pulled out all the stops with the 3 Bs -- tons of booze, booty-shaking and bands of cash.

We're told Drake literally backed up an armored truck to deliver six figures ... to make it rain on the strippers. Throw in 30 bottles of Hennessey, 30 bottles of Don Julio and another few thousand for Indaglow Productions to rebrand the club, "Future City" -- and ya got all ya need for the party of the year.

One problem though ... Atlanta PD responded at 3 AM to reports of fighting and gunfire. We're told officers found no evidence to support the gunshot claim, but the vibe was definitely killed and people started clearing out.

We've just obtained shocking new video of Lil Pump moments after tear gas was dispersed at his concert ... and it's clear the rapper felt the full brunt of the attack.

You see a shirtless Pump rapping and hyping up the crowd as he stands on the edge of the stage, and that's when then the concert comes to a screeching halt as Lil Pump apparently starts smelling the gas.

Lil Pump has a puzzled look on his face as he slowly realizes something's not right, he lowers the mic and starts retreating off stage.

Backstage, Pump is nearly unconscious as he's getting treated by medics. Fortunately, he's able to recover and he climbs on top of his tour bus and finishes the show.

The crazy scene went down Friday night at Rock City in Nottingham, United Kingdom after someone tossed tear gas into the crowd.

The crowd may have gotten the worst of it because fans were sent scrambling as gas fills the auditorium. The building was evacuated and cops tell us at least two people were treated for minor injuries.

It's still unclear who launched the attack, but law enforcement sources tell us the incident was not terrorism.

Kanye West was deeply moved by the story of a Chicago security guard who was murdered by the cops after he subdued a gunman ... and has stepped up big time to help his family.

West heard the story of Jemel Roberson -- who was gunned down by police after stopping a drunken man with a gun -- and wanted to do whatever he could to lessen the burden on his family. West donated $150,000 to Roberson's family Friday, the goal originally placed on a GoFundMe account for Roberson's family was $10,000.

As we reported ... Roberson was working security at Manny's Blue Room Bar Sunday around 4 AM where several drunk customers were ordered out. One of those customers returned to the bar a short time later with a gun and opened fire.

Reports say Roberson returned fire, subdued the gunman and held him at gunpoint until police arrived ... but when the police officer got to the scene, he shot Roberson, killing him.

Kanye has spent a lot of time in Chicago over the last few months.

As for Roberson ... reports say he was working extra shifts at the bar in order to have some extra money to provide for his son at Christmas.

2:38 PM PT -- We just got video of Pump taken right after the gas was released, he's close to unconscious and getting treated by medics. Luckily, he recovered to get on top of his tour bus and finish the show.

2:25 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the Nottingham Police Department tells us they got a call around 9:30 PM for a reported smoke flare inside the venue. We're told at least two people are getting treated for minor injuries.

Lil Pump's show came to a screeching halt after someone tossed tear gas into the crowd ... sending fans scrambling and gasping for air.

Pump was performing at Rock City in Nottingham, United Kingdom Friday when what witnesses describe as tear gas started to fill the auditorium. It's currently unclear who launched the attack.

Pump, his crew and everyone else inside the building quickly evacuated ... but he started the party right back up.

Once outside, Pump hopped on top of his tour bus and performed "I Love It" -- his song with Kanye West -- for his fans ... who seemed unfazed by what went down just minutes before.

Police and paramedics are currently on scene, but so far, it doesn't seem like there are any serious injuries.

Law enforcement sources tell us the incident was not terrorism.

Ex-Boise State running back Jack Fields Jr. was shot and killed by a cop at a Georgia hotel on Thursday ... after cops say he stabbed the deputy several times while resisting arrest.

According to multiple reports, cops responded to the Residence Inn in Augusta for a "trouble with subject" call at around 8 PM when Sheriff's Deputy Stephan Psillos found Fields in the hotel lobby.

When Psillos went to handcuff Fields, he allegedly grabbed a knife from his coat and stabbed the officer multiple times ... according to a release by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The officer then fought back by shooting Fields with his gun. The 25-year-old was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Psillos was rushed to a nearby hospital ... where he's receiving treatment for his injuries.

Fetty Wap thinks artists shouldn't be afraid to work with Tekashi69, despite the bullets that seem to fly wherever he goes ... and, in fact, Fetty's down to collab with him right now.

We got Fetty Thursday in L.A. and he told us he isn't fazed by the shooting on the set of Tekashi's music vid with Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. Fetty -- who recorded "KEKE" with Tekashi earlier this year -- went on to tell us why artists would be foolish to cut themselves off from 6ix9ine.

TMZ broke the story ... 2 gunmen opened fire last week at the Beverly Hills home where Tekashi was shooting a music vid, halting production and resulting in a huge financial loss for the record label.

Apparently, that's not enough for Fetty to distance himself -- even though Tekashi himself decided it was time to make sweeping changes on his team.