Ex-assistant says Diddy armed himself to face Suge Knight at LA diner

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant, David James, testified in court Tuesday about a harrowing incident involving Combs and his longtime rival, Suge Knight. James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, described a tense episode that left him fearing for his life.

According to James, the confrontation occurred near the end of his tenure when Combs allegedly armed himself with three handguns and directed James to drive him to Mel’s Diner in Los Angeles. Combs believed Knight was there.

Earlier that night, around 4 a.m., James and Combs’ security guard Damion Butler, also known as D-Roc, had visited the diner to pick up food. As they parked, Butler reportedly recognized Knight and greeted him, referencing his association with the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., who had been signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records. Knight, then head of rival label Death Row Records and now serving a prison sentence for a separate fatal hit-and-run, allegedly responded, “What are you doing in my city?” The encounter appeared amicable, ending with a handshake.

However, while waiting for food, James said he saw four black SUVs arrive and observed a man handing Knight a firearm. Alarmed, Butler reportedly told James, “We got to fucking go.” They quickly left and returned to Combs’ Hollywood Hills home.

Once there, Combs instructed them to switch vehicles and return to the diner—this time with Combs holding three guns in the backseat. “It was the first time I realized my life was in danger,” James testified. By the time they returned, Knight had left the scene.

James said he resigned shortly after, citing the intense work environment and fear for his safety. He also recounted the pun often repeated by Combs’ team: “Do you know what rhymes with ‘tired’? ‘Fired.’”