Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans early Tuesday morning after allegedly hitting two people at a bar during the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations.
LaBeouf was charged with two counts of simple battery, according to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department shared with Rolling Stone. He is expected to appear in court later today. A representative for the actor did not immediately return a request for comment.
According to the police, the fight broke out after LaBeouf was accused of “causing a disturbance” and getting increasingly “aggressive” at a bar in the French Quarter. A staff member tried to “eject” LaBeouf, and once the actor was removed, one of the victims “reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times.”
LaBeouf allegedly left, but then returned “acting even more aggressive.” The NOPD’s statement continues: “Multiple people attempted to hold [LaBeouf] down — he was eventually let up in hopes that he would leave — but he reportedly again struck the same victim with closed fists to the victim’s upper body. LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose. LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived.”
Police first took LaBeouf to the hospital, where he was treated for unknown injuries. He was arrested and charged upon his release from the hospital.
According to various reports, LaBeouf has been spotted at Mardi Gras celebrations around New Orleans in recent days. His behavior has reportedly ranged from innocuously inebriated to increasingly erratic. He reportedly showed up to one bar without a shirt (though he put one on when asked to), per The Hollywood Reporter. Another establishment reportedly asked LaBeouf to leave on Sunday after he tried to “be a celebrity bartender.”
LaBeouf has a history of alcoholism and has faced accusations of violent behavior and domestic abuse. When his former partner, FKA Twigs, accused LaBeouf of emotional and physical abuse, he released a statement saying, “I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years.” (LaBeouf later denied FKA Twigs’ allegations, and the two settled a sexual battery and assault lawsuit last summer.)
Last year, LaBeouf was also the subject of Lewis O’Neil’s documentary, Slauson Rec, about an experimental theater troupe the actor founded and led in 2018. The film featured numerous scenes of LaBeouf verbally berating his students and occasionally getting physical with them.
