Shia LaBeouf arrested in New Orleans on suspicion of altercation
Shia LaBeouf has been arrested in New Orleans after an alleged altercation during a Mardi Gras celebration. The actor has a simple battery charged twice.
As Mardi Gras celebrations begin in New Orleans, Shia LaBeouf is facing criminal charges in The Big Easy.
The controversial actor and former child star was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in New Orleans on two counts of assault, New Orleans police confirmed to USA TODAY.
This comes after LaBeouf, 39, was spotted hanging out in the NOLA area over the weekend, frequenting various bars for the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, according to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ.
According to police, around 12:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Royal Street after two men reported being assaulted. Investigators said LaBeouf “caused a disturbance and became increasingly aggressive” at a nearby store.
Police added that the “Megalopolis” star was later taken to a hospital for “treatment of unexplained injuries,” after which he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault.
Details about LaBeouf’s detention conditions were not immediately available. USA TODAY has reached out to the actor’s representative for comment.
Why was Shia LaBeouf arrested?
New Orleans police confirmed to USA TODAY that staff attempted to remove LaBeouf from the store following an incident in which he allegedly engaged in disorderly conduct at a local business.
After being eliminated, the Disney Channel alum punched a man nearby and punched the victim several times with a closed fist, authorities noted.
Police said LaBeouf briefly left the area, but then returned and began acting “more aggressively.” Several witnesses tried to subdue the man, but the man allegedly struck him twice in the upper body with the same fist.
Police said the actor also assaulted another man, including punching him in the nose. LaBeouf was again detained until authorities arrived, then taken to a hospital for treatment.
TMZ spoke with witnesses at the scene and obtained footage of the actor being taken away by paramedics.
Employees at several bars told The Hollywood Reporter that LaBeouf had been on a “weekend bar trip” in New Orleans since Thursday before his arrest.
Robert Skuse, a doorman at Ms. Maze dive bar, told the magazine that LaBeouf appeared to be “intoxicated” and “somewhat belligerent” when he showed up at the bar on Sunday night. LaBeouf, who arrived shirtless and without cash, was reportedly asked to leave after attempting to be a “famous bartender.”
Shia LaBeouf’s history of legal troubles
This isn’t the first time LaBeouf has been in legal trouble.
The “Transformers” star has been charged with multiple counts of disorderly conduct and physical assault over the years. In 2014, LaBeouf pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after an incident at a Broadway show.
Similarly, in 2017, the actor was arrested in Savannah, Georgia on charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and obstruction (the intoxication charge was later dropped, but LaBeouf pleaded guilty to the remaining charges).
And in 2020, LaBeouf was charged with two misdemeanors (petty theft and assault) for allegedly using “force and violence against a male” during an incident in Los Angeles, according to Entertainment Tonight.
In his personal life, LaBeouf was sued by his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs in December 2020, accusing the British singer and actress of repeatedly physically, mentally, and emotionally abusing her during their nearly one-year relationship. The two settled their lawsuit last July.
Contributor: Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY
