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Tag: YouTube

  • Girl Hit With Shovel To The Head Video Goes Viral [VIDEO]

    Yesterday, “Shovel Girl” was the star of the world wide web. A video of a group of friends poking fun at each other was posted on YouTube. The 8-minute video started with the girls walking on a lawn. After a bit of conversation, the girls start slapping and pulling each other’s hair.

    What started out as a seemingly playful fight took a nasty turn by the second round. One of the girls starts punching the other in the face. The girl who was being punched seemed unfazed by the beating. “I got a hard-ass head,” she said.

    By the third round of the fight, things got even nastier, as one of the girls starts kicking and punching the other girl on the head. The end of the fight came when one girl grabs a shovel, chases the other girl for a short distance, and throws the shovel at her head.

    After the girl was hit, she fell to the ground grabbing her head saying that she couldn’t hear. “I can’t hear! I can’t hear! I beat her ass though, so it’s okay,” she said.

    According to Josh Officer, the 15-year-old who was filming the scene, everyone involved was fine after the incident happened. The two girls were apparently duking it out over a boy, and they asked him to film their fight.

    Watch the two girls duke it out.

    The 8-minute video was taken down from YouTube but later re-posted. A shorter version that consists of the shovel-hitting incident is available on Vine. As is often the case, videos of deplorable behavior tend to get a lot of attention online – this is one such video. It was posted on May 4 and has garnered more than 510,000 tweets, 73,000 likes, and 75,000 revines in just 48 hours.

    Reports say that nobody was charged with a crime.

    After the incident, the stars of the video posted another Vine, showing everyone that they are okay, and one of the girls saying that she “needs another shovel.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Dayton Hospital Shooting Leaves One Injured

    A former housekeeping employee of a Dayton, Ohio Veterans Affairs hospital brought a gun into the facility and was involved in a break room scuffle, which left a present VA employee with a gunshot wound to the ankle. The suspected shooter was then apprehended shortly after visiting another area hospital seeking psychiatric assistance,

    Neil Moore, 59, was taken into custody at the second hospital, and Dayton Police Chief Richard Beihl said, “Somehow he was able to get from here to there.” The shooting victim, Paul Burnside, 61, apparently was acquainted with Moore, as the two worked in housekeeping at the Good Samaritan VA hospital. There were three witnesses to the shooting, and during the initial 911 call to report the incident, Moore was described as wearing a jacket with a U.S. Marine Corps emblem on it.

    The shooting occurred during lunch hour in the service and operations area of the hospital’s main building, which prompted a lockdown as FBI agents searched the area. Roads leading to the hospital complex were blocked by authorities. Police also blocked roads leading to the hospital complex.

    The VA hospital doesn’t have metal detectors and holds beds for roughly 450 patients and provides veterans with medical, psychiatric and nursing home care. An Iraq Army veteran shot himself to death outside of the same hospital four years ago, in front of a monument to soldiers near the entrance. Jesse C. Huff had been a patient there, and was wounded by an explosive device while serving in Iraq.

    Stephanie Brooks, Moore’s sister-in-law, told reporters that her family was devastated. “We’re all confused and we’re trying to find out what has happened,” she said. Moore’s neighbor Myshalee Williams added, “He is always so friendly, and he really is a good family man. He loves his children and his grandchildren,” she said.

    Image via YouTube

  • Paine College Shooting Leaves One Critically Injured

    A second shooting Monday within a 24-hour time period at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia has left one student seriously wounded. The victim was shot in the head inside a dormitory, and the the injury is life threatening. A 21-year-old student labeled as a “person of interest” was taken into custody, according to the Richmond Sheriff’s office.

    The possible attacker was found roughly two hours after an argument occurred in Haygood Hall, which culminated in the shooting. Sgt. Michael McDaniel stated that the male student remains in custody, but has not yet been identified or formally charged.

    A separate shooting had occurred Sunday afternoon on the Paine College campus after a pair of gunman fired into Gray Hall, another men’s dormitory. Two students suffered minor injuries in that incident, and the gunmen were not students. Officials have stated that there was no connection between the shootings yet established.

    Paine College is a historically black institution that was founded in 1882. There are roughly 900 students enrolled at present, and notable alumni include actor Danny Glover. Paine College has a 64-acre campus located near downtown Augusta. The majority of the residence halls, classroom buildings and the library are located in the main campus area.

    After the 1 p.m. shooting Monday, the Paine College campus was on lock down for five hours, and classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday, with the final day of the semester being Wednesday. Nearby Georgia Regents University, as well as several nearby schools and a hospital were also closed.

    The Sheriff’s office said that additional deputies will be on the Paine College campus as a result of the rash of shootings, and commented, “the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be augmenting the Paine College Police to provide additional safety and security at Paine College until further notice.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Battlestar Galactica’s Sackhoff Voices EVE: Valkyrie

    Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff is starring in CCP Games’ upcoming multiplayer virtual reality dogfighting shooter, EVE: Valkyrie, playing the role of Rán Kavik. Sackhoff’s Rán isn’t a playable character, but rather a voice that can be heard in the player’s ear, akin to Cortana in the Halo franchise.

    Commenting on the new game, Sackhoff said, “The first time I played EVE: Valkyrie I immediately knew I had to be a part of it. Even with the roles I have played, it is the closest I have ever felt to being a real spaceship pilot. It is a truly transformative video game experience.”

    EVE: Valkyrie (formerly called EVE-VR) is set in the EVE universe, and incorporates new virtual reality peripherals to add to the depth of the gameplay. Eve: Valkyrie is scheduled to be released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4. For Windows, the game will be a launch title for the Oculus Rift virtual reality head-mounted display. As for the PlayStation 4, EVE: Valkyrie will support Sony’s virtual reality headset, tentatively known as Project Morpheus.

    Here is a preview of EVE: Valkyrie, which sports visuals reminiscent of Battlestar’s own space battles:

    Sackhoff, 34, is best known for playing Captain Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on the Sci Fi Channel’s reimagining of Battlestar Galactica, which ran from 2003 to 2009. She was nominated for four Saturn Awards for her work on the show, winning for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2005. The role in EVE: Valkyrie not the first time Sackhoff has appeared in a video game. She also lent her voice to 2007’s Halo 3, 2009’s Resistance 2 and 2011’s Spider-Man: Edge of Time.

    Sackhoff recently appeared in the 2013 supernatural drama horror film Oculus, and was seen in Vin Diesel’s sci-fi action/survival movie Riddick the same year.

    Owen O’Brien, executive producer for EVE: Valkyrie at CCP commented, “Katee is the perfect actor to bring Rán to life. Not only does she have a track record in bringing strong female characters to life, but also once she had played Valkyrie I was delighted to see that she was as excited and enthused about the project as we are.”

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘True Blood’ Season 7 Photos Online

    The seventh season of the HBO vampire drama True Blood premieres on June 22, and new photos from the final season have been released online. A teaser trailer for season 7 was posted last month, which indicated that the storyline continues directly after the season six cliffhanger, which had hepatitis V-infected vampires descending upon the human residents of the fictional town of Bon Temps.

    The new True Blood snapshots do little to describe what’s in store for the Golden Globe-winning series, though viking vampire Eric Northman, a popular character portrayed by Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, was noticeably absent from the latest promotional media. Northman was last seen burning up while lounging nude on a glacier in the season six finale, after a spell protecting his vampiric skin from UV radiation abruptly wore off. Though, True Blood executive producer Brian Buckner confirmed that Skarsgaard remains a regular cast member in the final season.

    Nelsan Ellis as True Blood’s Lafayette Reynolds:

    true blood

    Anna Paquin as True Blood heroine-fairy Sookie Stackhouse:

    true blood

    True Blood is produced by Six Feet Under creator Alan Ball, and is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the dealings of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, Louisiana. The show has been a hit for HBO, and has received generally favorable reviews. Interestingly, the very adult-oriented series influenced a parody featured on Sesame Street in 2010 entitled True Mud:

    The first episode of True Blood season 7 is titled Jesus Gonna Be Here, and was directed by star Stephen Moyer, who plays southern vampire Bill Compton. Commenting on the final season, Moyer said, “I’m really excited, really sad. It’s just a group of people that I absolutely love and it’s certainly the happiest and warmest set I’ve ever been on, so that’s going to be hard to walk away from.”

    Images via YouTube, Facebook, (1)

  • Goblin Shark Netted Off Florida Keys

    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service, a commercial shrimping trawler netted an extremely rare goblin shark off of the Florida Keys on Wednesday, the second specimen ever to be recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. The fish was roughly 18 feet long, and leisurely swam away after being released. The first goblin shark sighting in the region occurred nearly 15 years ago when commercial fisherman captured one in 2000.

    The pink-skinned, prehistoric-looking goblin shark is a deep-water, poorly understood species, and is the only living representative of the family Mitsukurinidae, an ancient lineage some 125 million years old.

    The goblin shark possesses a distinctive, flattened snout, and highly protrusible jaws which feature nail-like teeth. The sharks inhabit upper continental slopes, submarine canyons and seamounts worldwide, at depths greater than 300 feet, with adults swimming deeper than juveniles.

    Below is a clip of a goblin shark attack:

    The goblin shark has been recorded in all three major oceans, and has many names, for such a rare fish – it is referred to as an elfin shark (English ), hiisihai (Finnish), Japanese neushaai (Dutch), Japanischer nasenhai (German), kabouterhaai (Dutch and Afrikaans), karsahai (Finnish), Koboldhaai ( Dutch), koboldhai (German), lensuháfur (Icelandic), mitsukurizame ( Japanese), naesehaj (Danish), Nasenhai (German), näshaj (Swedish), nesehai (Norwegian), neushaai (Dutch), requin lutin (French), schoffelneushaai (Dutch), squalo folletto (Dutch), squalo goblin ( Italian), teguzame (Japanese), teppichhai (German), tiburón duende (Spanish), trollhaj (Swedish), tubarão-demónio (Portuguese), tubarão-gnomo (Portuguese), zoozame (Japanese) and žralok škriatok (Czech).

    Though observations of goblin sharks existing in the wild are limited, it is suggested that the animal leads a sluggish lifestyle, mostly feeding on rattail fish and dragonfishes. It also consumes cephalopods and crustaceans, including decapods and isopods. Garbage has been found in the stomachs of some specimens.

    The NOAA points out that biologists encourage anyone who comes across a goblin shark to report these rare sightings and catches, as the information that can be collected is integral to forming a better knowledge of the species.

    Image via YouTube

  • Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Actor, Dies at 95

    Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Actor, Dies at 95

    Actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., best known for his roles in the television series 77 Sunset Strip and The F.B.I., passed away at his ranch in Southern California on Friday. He was 95.

    In a statement, the actor’s daughter Stephanie Zimbalist and son Efrem Zimbalist III said, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing into peace of our beloved father, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., today at his Solvang ranch. He actively enjoyed his life to the last day, showering love on his extended family, playing golf and visiting with close friends.”

    Zimbalist Jr. was born on November 30, 1918 in New York City to Russian-born violinist Efrem Zimbalist, Sr. and Romanian-born operatic soprano Alma Gluck. The actor attended Yale University in the late 1930’s and then served five years in the United States Army during World War II. He received a Purple Heart for a leg wound sustained during the battle of Hürtgen Forest. A year later, Zimbalist returned to New York and made his Broadway acting debut in The Rugged Path, starring Spencer Tracy.

    Zimbalist’s stint on Broadway segued into a career in Hollywood, and the actor signed a contract with Warner Bros. in 1956. His first lead role came in 1958 as detective Stuart “Stu” Bailey in the popular police procedural 77 Sunset Strip, which ran until 1964. In 1959, Zimbalist garnered the Golden Globe for “Most Promising Newcomer – Male”.

    Here is a clip of the opening credits of 77 Sunset Strip:

    Zimbalist was likely best known for his starring role as Inspector Lewis Erskine on The F.B.I., which ran from 1965 to 1974.

    Zimbalist maintained a strong personal relationship with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover while the show was in production. Hoover demanded technical accuracy for the series, and that FBI agents be portrayed in the best possible light. Actors who portrayed agents also had to pass a background check, and Zimbalist himself spent a week at the FBI academy at Quantico, Virginia before production of the series began. Hoover later designated Zimbalist as the image for actual FBI agents to model their personal appearances after.

    Fellow actors took to Twitter to offer their condolences:

    In addition to son Efrem and daughter Stephanie, Zimbalist is survived by four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Derek (Of The Netflix Original) Has A New YouTube Guide

    If you’ve watched Derek, the Ricky Gervais Netflix Original, you know that the titular character loves YouTube videos – particularly videos of animals and songs.

    The Ricky Gervais Channel has just released Derek’s Guide to YouTube. It’s over seven and a half minutes long, so it’s extensive. Enjoy.

    Earlier this week, Netflix released a trailer for the second season, which debuts on May 30th (it’s already started on Channel 4 in the UK):

    It looks like it’s being pretty well received in the UK:

    Image via YouTube

  • Video: Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos

    If the internet had to be summarized in one word, it would be ‘pussy’ – the vulgar slang for a woman’s genitalia and the informal use of the word cat. Yet, the versatility of the internet’ content isn’t limited to just those two hairy beasts alone, as viral videos come in different forms of attractions. Hamsters dining on miniaturized versions of human foods are the next big thing.

    This week’s viral video that at least one of your friends on Facebook will be posting about is titled “Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos – Episode 1”, a short film involving a nervous gourmet burrito chef and his itty bitty customer, a hamster.

    The video is paired with elegant classical music and shots of the pre-burrito preparations. The chef constructs the little dish with salsa, tomatoes, beef, garlic, parsley, all in tiny doses. A tortilla flour flat no bigger than a silver dollar and diligent hands wrap up the mini masterpiece – inspection is made for extra measure. The mammal of discriminatory tastes is then presented the burrito, no bigger than a thumb, to which it promptly shoves in its cheeks, like anybody you see at Chipotle.

    HelloDenizen is the YouTube user responsible for the uploaded video, their first, which has already reached 2.6 million views. By the end of this article, the video will most likely hit the 3 million mark. “Episode 1” may insinuate the idea that in a week or two since the original upload, we’ll find another similar video involving different dishes for the little hamsters to dine on – charming mini restaurants, tiny plates, and all.

    HelloDenizen types in their description for the video: “Subscribe for more videos!! Rate and comment if you want more!”, and since the ratings (32,156 likes), subscribers (25,938), and comments (1,576) are soaring, we’ll most likely be graced with another episode.

    “Sometimes love is best expressed through tiny food.”

    Images via YouTube

  • Sophia Loren Honored at Cannes Film Festival

    International film star and Italy’s most renowned actress Sophia Loren has been named the Guest of Honor at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 14-25 in Cannes, France.

    Aside from attending a screening of her new film, La Voce Umana (The Human Voice), which was directed by her son Edoardo Ponti, Loren, 79, will conduct a masterclass at the festival.

    Loren began her career in 1949 after entering an Italian beauty pageant (she didn’t win), and is regarded as one of the last great sex symbols of the 1950’s and 1960’s. The two-time Oscar winner became internationally recognized after signing a five movie deal with Paramount in 1958. In 1961, Loren starred in Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women, and her performance garnered her the best performance award at Cannes, and an Oscar for Best Actress, the first major Academy Award for a non-English-language performance and to an Italian actress.

    Here is a clip from Two Women:

    Loren also received an Honorary Academy Award in 1991, for her storied career which has so far earned her a Grammy Award, five special Golden Globes, a BAFTA Award, a Laurel Award as well as the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievements.

    The actress is also known for her sharp wit:

    Over 20 features and documentaries will be screened as part of the Cannes Classics series this year, including a restored version of Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas, which marks its 30th anniversary this year. Other classics by directors including Alfred Hitchcock, Sergio Leone, Frank Capra, Jean Renoir, Wim Wenders, Francois Truffaut and Krzysztof Kieślowski will also be presented.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Lil Za, Friend of Bieber, Gets Probation

    Lil Za, Friend of Bieber, Gets Probation

    Lil Za, best known as the younger brother of rapper Lil Twist, as well as for being a frequent house guest of Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber, has been granted probation stemming from drug and vandalism charges filed after a January search of Bieber’s mansion.

    Lil Za, legally known as Xavier Smith, pleaded “no contest” to a felony drug possession charge and a misdemeanor vandalism count during a Los Angeles hearing on Wednesday. Police had searched Bieber’s Calabasas mansion in January looking for evidence in a neighborhood egging incident, and found ecstasy pills near Lil Za’s bed.

    Lil Za was arrested for felony drug possession and caught a vandalism charge after breaking a phone while in a jail cell trying to arrange bond. Judge Mitchell Block ordered Lil Za to pay the sheriff $600 for the phone damage along with a $1000 fine for the vandalism charge. Block, noting Lil Za’s good behavior during various court appearances, sentenced the house guest to three years probation, an outpatient drug treatment program and 20 hours of community service on a road crew. Block commented during sentencing, “That impresses me as someone who will take his probation seriously, get the job done that needs to be done.”

    Here Lil Za claims he doesn’t know about sizzurp:

    Justin Bieber’s attorney Shawn Holley represented Lil Za in court, and has called Bieber’s egging incident a “silly prank.” Though, that case is seen as a “wobbler,” meaning it could teeter between a felony or misdemeanor. The Los Angeles County district attorney has yet to declare if Bieber will be charged with vandalism for the egg attack. A felony could be attached to a charge due to the roughly $20,000 in damage the eggs caused. At the same time, it was plainly a massive egging, and could be prosecuted as a prank.

    Image via YouTube

  • Qatar Airport Receives First Flights

    Qatar Airport Receives First Flights

    Hamad International Airport opened today in the Qatari capital of Doha, with a ceremonial Qatar Airways flight landing from Doha International Airport. National carrier Qatar Airways is scheduled to fully move into the airport on May 27.

    The new airport cost about $15 billion to build, and Qatar plans to spend roughly $100 billion on upgrading its infrastructure in time for its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the largest sports event on the planet.

    Abdul Aziz Mohammad al-Noaimi, chairman the airport steering committee, called the new airport “a source of pride and joy” for all Qataris, and mentioned that it can presently accommodate 30 million passengers annually. In time, the facility might be able to serve up to 93 million passengers per year, which would make it the second largest airport in the region after Dubai International Airport.

    “It will deliver a memorable experience to all passengers that will travel through its gates, an experience that reflects Qatar’s status and importance on the world travel and tourism map,” al-Noaimi added.

    Here is a clip of a small tour of the Hamad terminal:

    In related news, The Qatar Museum Authority decided to buy a 16-foot tall statue of Zinedine Zidane infamously headbutting Marco Materazzi, for an untold sum in October, as a sort of “ode to defeat” World Cup ornament.

    Oil-rich Qatar has been recently struggling to keep dibs on hosting the international soccer event. Aside from the classy headbutt statue acquisition, the country has been questioned by soccer federation FIFA about its use hundreds of thousands of migrant workers, in a situation similar to modern-day slavery. It’s been reported that over 40 Nepalese workers died last year, while building World Cup infrastructure.

    Image via Twitter

  • William Shatner Honored by NASA for Service

    William Shatner Honored by NASA for Service

    NASA honored iconic actor William Shatner with its highest award bestowed upon civilians Saturday, the Distinguished Public Service medal. Shatner received the citation while attending his own Hollywood Charity Horse Show in Los Angeles, which raises money for children’s causes.

    The medal cited Shatner for “outstanding generosity and dedication to inspiring new generations of explorers around the world, and for unwavering support for NASA and its missions of discovery.”

    Best known for his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series, Shatner has been somewhat of an informal spokesman for NASA over the past few years, issuing a Star Trek-themed wake-up call to the astronauts of the Discovery mission STS-133 in 2011. In 2012, the actor recorded a message for the occupants of the International Space Station, and also narrated a video regarding NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover:

    David Weaver, NASA’s associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said in a statement, “William Shatner has been so generous with his time and energy in encouraging students to study science and math, and for inspiring generations of explorers, including many of the astronauts and engineers who are a part of NASA today.” Weaver added, “He’s most deserving of this prestigious award.”

    Shatner, 83, was born on March 22, 1931, in the Côte Saint-Luc neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and has shown support for his home country’s space exploration efforts. Last year he traded tweets with astronaut Chris Hadfield, Canada’s first space station commander.

    Shatner’s latest artistic endeavor is a reality show called The Shatner Project, which is set to premiere some time this year, and will be a five-episode series in which the actor and wife Liz will gut their 1970′s-era California home, and remodel it. Commenting on the new series, Shatner states, “I am embracing change. Our home will be unfamiliar territory for a while but I am excited by all of it.”

    Image via NASA

  • Whale Carcass Feared Ready to Explode

    Whale Carcass Feared Ready to Explode

    Residents of Trout River in Newfoundland, Canada fear that a blue whale carcass that washed ashore last week may be ready to explode. The stinky, 82-foot-long cetacean has been expanding due to a buildup of various gasses, and might go by the way of a putrefied sperm whale that exploded in the Faroe Islands last November.

    Emily Butler, Trout River town manager, commented, “The whale is blowing up. It looks as if it’s a big balloon, from a distance. There is a possibility as well, with all these gases inside the whale, that it may possibly explode…That’s a major concern for us.”

    Trout River, pop. 600, had asked for a hand in removing the carcass from provincial and federal government agencies, but were told that they have to deal with the whale themselves. Butler added, “I wouldn’t want to direct anybody to actually remove this animal you know, under the town’s responsibility because we don’t have the expertise to do such a thing. I’m also hearing that DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) would seem to take this as being an interference with navigation if it’s taken back out to the ocean.”

    The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed, sometimes reaching 100 feet in length. and weighing almost 200 tons. Trout River residents are already complaining of the stench of the whale, which would be compounded if it blew up. Though, it would appear that some sort of gaseous release will occur regardless of how the situation is handled.

    During the putrefaction process of a dead animal, various gasses begin to build up within the abdominal cavity of the carcass, specifically methane, sometimes resulting in animal explosions. These foul forces of nature are rare, though not unprecedented. Here is a clip of the Faroe Islands explosion:

    It is not yet clear how Trout River plans to dispose of their whale, and Butler said, “We’re really concerned about the smell from this. We are also concerned with the health aspect of this animal being on the beach line.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Samantha Ramsey, 19, Shot Dead by Kentucky Deputy

    The Boone County, Kentucky Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenage driver over the weekend by a deputy who claims the deceased was attempting to run him over.

    Deputy Tyler Brockman shot Samantha Ramsey, 19, of Covington, Kentucky, just after 2 a.m. Saturday, as she was leaving a bonfire party in a field along the Ohio River. A dash cam video recorded from Brockman’s cruiser depicts the deputy approaching Ramsey’s car, but didn’t capture the shooting. Brockman stated that after ordering Ramsey to stop her car, the teen accelerated, causing the deputy to roll over her hood and hit the windshield. One of Ramsey’s passengers, Chelsey Pendleton, claims that Brockman had willingly jumped onto the hood of the car from the side of the vehicle.

    Boone County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Tom Scheben commented that deputies are trained to “protect themselves first” when suspects approach them with vehicles. Scheben adds that the investigation will be turned over to Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Tally Smith, who will ultimately decide whether to refer the case to a grand jury. Statements will be taken from Ramsey’s passengers, as well as from witnesses who were at the party.

    Here is the full dash cam footage from Brockman’s cruiser:

    Pendleton’s mother Donna said that as her daughter was sitting in the back seat behind Ramsey, “She heard pop, pop, and she ducked. Then she heard pop, pop, and there was a bullet right where she (had been). If she had not have ducked, it would have been worse for her.”

    Ramsey had been convicted of drunk driving in Kenton County, Kentucky in August, and her license was suspended for 120 days. Kentucky considers anyone under 21 with a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 or greater to be legally drunk.

    Brockman was treated for a leg injury the morning of the shooting, which will be considered in the investigation, which is still pending lab results.

    Image via Facebook

  • Mega Millions Winners in Florida Claim $207 Million

    A central Florida man and woman have stepped forward to claim their half of the $414 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot on Tuesday.

    Raymond Moyer and Robyn Collier, both 35, claimed $207 million in winnings from the Florida Lottery, and opted for a one-time, lump-sum payout of roughly $115.5 million. A check dated for April 21 was made out to the Cobie and Seamus Trust, which Moyer and Collier are members of.

    The golden Quick Pick ticket for the March 18 drawing was bought at a Publix grocery store on Merritt Island. Florida Lottery officials stated Publix will receive a $100,000 cut for selling the ticket. The $414 million jackpot is the third largest in the history of the game, and a second winning ticket was purchased in Maryland, though has not yet been claimed.

    Collier said that she wasn’t aware that she and Moyer were winners, until the numbers came up on the local news. Moyer commented, “It was definitely a shock, but it is an incredible blessing that will allow us to do many things we would not have had the opportunity to do before.”

    Non-winners took to Twitter to explain what they might do if they were winners:

    The two plan to invest the money, travel and attend Notre Dame football games. Though, not all lottery winners are equipped to handle such prompt reversal of fortune. There have been numerous instances describing the pitfalls of instant wealth.

    Kenneth and Connie Parker were winners of a $25 million jackpot, and abruptly ended their 16-year marriage within months. Jeffrey Dampier was kidnapped and murdered by his sister-in-law, after winning $20 million. Jack Whittaker won the largest individual payout in U.S. lottery history in 2002, only to have his granddaughter overdose on drugs and have numerous brushes with the law. Hurley from ABC’s cult classic LOST entered a world of pain after hitting a jackpot.

    It would appear to be wise to never tell anyone you’ve won (if the state where the ticket was purchased allows this; few do), and perhaps exact a more complex plan than eternal recreation.

    Image via YouTube

  • Oklahoma Botches Execution, Postpones Another

    An Oklahoma death row prisoner died of a heart attack roughly 20 minutes after waking up during his execution mid-injection, due to faulty equipment. The scheduled execution of a second inmate for the evening was subsequently postponed.

    Corrections Director Robert Patton stopped the delivery of the three drug combination used in Oklahoma, after realizing inmate Clayton Lockett had regained consciousness after being sedated at the start of his execution. Patton attributed the botched procedure to a vein failure which prevented all three chemicals from efficiently entering Lockett’s system.

    An eyewitness described the scene – Lockett grimaced and tensed his body several times over a three minute period before the execution was shielded from the press. After being declared unconscious ten minutes into the process, Lockett spoke at three separate moments. The first two were inaudible, however the third time he spoke, Lockett said the word “man.”

    Those against the death penalty took to Twitter:

    Lockett, 38, convicted of shooting 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman and having her buried alive in 1999, died of cardiac arrest 43 minutes after the first drug was administered. The press was shielded from the event after Lockett woke up and began speaking, 16 minutes after the execution began. Lockett died roughly 20 minutes later. “It was extremely difficult to watch,” Lockett’s attorney, David Autry, said afterward.

    A second death row inmate, Charles Warner, was scheduled to be executed at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, which will be rescheduled due to the equipment error. Warner, 46, was convicted of raping and killing an 11-month-old in 1997.

    There has been some controversy in Oklahoma regarding a policy to not reveal the source of the drugs used for lethal injections.

    Both Lockett and Warner had sued the state for failing to disclose details regarding the source of the execution drugs, which resulted in the Supreme Court issuing a stay of execution for Lockett. This stay was eventually revoked, then replaced by another extension issued by Governor Mary Fallin, which is the reason why Lockett and Warner ended up being scheduled to die on the same day.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Scorpions Drummer Jailed for a Month in Dubai

    Scorpions Drummer Jailed for a Month in Dubai

    Scorpions drummer James Kottak was arrested at Dubai International Airport for drunk and disorderly conduct on April 3, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail for the crime of insulting Islam. According to Dubai state-run newspaper The National, Kottak flipped the bird and mooned other travelers while in an airport transit hall.

    Kottak told police he had taken a wrong turn on his way to a Formula One grand prix gig in Bahrain, and subsequently denied flashing his middle finger, dropping his pants or insulting Islam.

    A witness described as ‘Officer AA’ said he heard Kottak saying “what is this disgusting smell?” before insulting Islam. “I didn’t see anything else but I heard him. I then informed my supervisor, who came and took the defendant away,” AA added. A Jordanian passenger services agent called ‘AB’ said that Kottak was shouting “non-educated Muslims” and then gave other passengers the middle finger.

    Kottak has been sitting in a Dubai jail since the incident, and will soon be released, having logged some time served. Kottak did plead guilty to being intoxicated without a license, and paid a fine of roughly $550. The drummer also explained that he was merely showing people his back tattoo, not mooning. During his misdemeanor trial, Kottak’s attorney Hamid Al Khazraji told the judge, “Their testimonies are contradictory, your honor.”

    Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965, and have sold between 75 and 100 million records worldwide. Here is a bit of a Scorpions refresher:

    Awesome.

    James Kottack, 51, of Louisville, Kentucky joined the band in 1996, and was previously married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee’s sister Althena.

    Here is Kottak doing a drum solo at a Scorpions gig:

    Kottak’s fans took to Twitter, relaying some confusion regarding the missing musician:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jennifer Lawrence and Boyfriend Buy a House

    Actress Jennifer Lawrence and beau Nicholas Hoult reportedly bought a house in London, after looking at properties in the area for the past few weeks. Lawrence, 23, and Hoult, 24, met on the set of X-Men: First Class in 2011, and are again starring together in director Bryan Singer’s upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past.

    Hoult’s sister Clarista commented that the couple also considered buying a property in Hampshire, where Hoult’s parents live, but settled on London, and now plan to decorate.

    “It’s his first house,” Clarista said, adding, “He’s very excited and has been getting all his furniture from Ikea. Nick has been big into feng shui. In his room he has had branches, twigs with lights, the mattress and everything else on the floor, like water feathers and chairs, facing in the right direction.”

    Lawrence and Hoult had been dating for two years before taking a break, and got back together during the latest X-Men production. A source said, “Jen loves the English way of life. As they are now serious again, it makes sense to look into buying somewhere.”

    Here is a clip of Hoult and Lawrence as Beast and Mystique from X-Men: First Class:

    In related news, X-Men: Days of Future Past director Singer is presently embroiled in a civil suit in which he is accused of having sex with an underage male in 1999. Former child actor Michael Egan named Singer as being involved in a string of underage sex parties, and filed a civil lawsuit. Singer has decided not to participate in the promotion of his new X-Men film, and commented, “Out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I’ve decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shakedown it is.”

    Here is the X-Men: Days of Future Past trailer:

    Image via YouTube

  • Jason Momoa Rumored to Appear in Batman vs. Superman

    The actor who portrayed Khal Drogo on HBO’s Game of Thrones might be joining the cast of Zack Snyder’s upcoming Batman vs. Superman film. Jason Momoa has been rumored to have signed on for the Man of Steel sequel, possibly playing DC Comics superhero Aquaman.

    Batman-News.com has speculated that Momoa had joined the Batman vs. Superman cast months ago, to appear alongside Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Though, Momoa has repeatedly denied the rumor, telling IGN, “It’s just rumors. I want to say something amazing, but I can’t comment on rumors. It’s flattering. I’m not involved in it.”

    Momoa again denied any involvement in the Snyder production during an interview in January. “I get it all the time. It’s just a rumor. It’s just rumors. I swear. Man to man. You can punch me in the face. You’re allowed to punch me in the face. It’s a flattering rumor, but…,” Momoa commented.

    Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa, 34, hails from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is best known for his roles in the fantasy series Stargate Atlantis and Game of Thrones. He’s recently written, directed and produced the feature Road to Paloma, also starring alongside wife Lisa Bonet, which is set to be released in July. Momoa received his signature facial scar in 2008 after being slashed in the face during a bar fight in Hollywood. The actor received roughly 140 stitches during reconstructive surgery.

    Momoa as Khal Drogo in action (GRAPHIC):

    While it’s been rumored that Affleck buddy Matt Damon might take on the role of Aquaman, some fans see Momoa as a better fit for the part:

    In related news, Zack Snyder has just been chosen by Warner Bros. to direct a Justice League movie.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Tennessee Policeman Fired After Choking Student

    A Knoxville, Tennessee police officer was dismissed by the Knox County Sheriff after photos surfaced of the patrolman strangling a University of Tennessee student during an arrest near the site of a large party. The officer, 47-year-old Frank Phillips, choked 21-year-old Jarod Dotson while two other officers handcuffed him, until the student fell to his knees.

    Dotson did not appear to be displaying any sign of resistance, and Phillips proceeded to slap him in his head a couple of times before walking off. Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones said in a statement posted on the Knox County Sheriff’s Department website (which is down at the time of this writing), “In my 34 years of law enforcement experience, excessive force has never been tolerated. After an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, I believe excessive force was used in this incident.”

    Jones added, “This incident provides a perfect example of why we are in the process of purchasing officer-worn body cameras (video and audio recordings) so incidents like this will be fully documented.” The party near where the arrest occurred was attended by roughly 800 drunken coeds, some of which were throwing beer bottles at police officers.

    Dotson was charged with public intoxication and resisting, and was released from custody after posting a $500 bail. Phillips, a police officer since 1992, was immediately dismissed after the photos surfaced, and the case has been handed to the Knox County Attorney General’s Office to determine if any charges should be filed.

    Police brutality, or the wanton use of excessive force by a police officer, is prevalent in the United States, with 26,556 citizen complaints made in 2002. Though, of those cases filed, only about 2000 were substantiated. Still, the New York City Police Department recently suffered a public relations fiasco with the Twitter #myNYPD debacle.

    Here are some notable Tweets from the scandal.

    Image via YouTube