Mardi Gras in New Orleans is famous for wild celebrations. However, the festivities ended in handcuffs for actor Shia LaBeouf.
Police arrested the 39-year-old star early Tuesday morning. He faces two counts of simple battery after a bar fight in the French Quarter. According to the New Orleans Police Department, the incident happened just hours before the Fat Tuesday parades began.
The Incident: What Happened?
Police were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street—identified by The Times-Picayune as the location of the popular R Bar—around 12:45 AM.
Witnesses say LaBeouf caused a disturbance. A staff member asked him to leave. The situation escalated quickly:
- The Alleged Assault: LaBeouf reportedly returned after the staff kicked him out. Police say he acted “even more aggressive.” He allegedly punched the staff member who ejected him. He then struck another man in the nose.
- Citizen’s Arrest: Bystanders intervened. They held the actor down until law enforcement arrived. TMZ obtained video footage of the scuffle. It appears to show someone hitting the actor during the chaos.
An ambulance took LaBeouf to a local hospital for treatment. Officers then booked him into jail.
A Weekend of Erratic Behavior
This arrest appears to be the culmination of a chaotic weekend for the Transformers star. Reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicate that LaBeouf had been patronizing multiple Uptown bars in the days leading up to Mardi Gras.
- Ms. Mae’s Incident: He was reportedly asked to leave the dive bar Ms. Mae’s after showing up shirtless during the Bacchus parade and attempting to “be a celebrity bartender.”
- Parade Sightings: On Lundi Gras, he was spotted outside R Bar for the Krewe of Red Beans parade, just hours before the altercation took place.
Legal Trouble & Local Ties
LaBeouf faces two misdemeanor charges. The court scheduled his first appearance for Tuesday afternoon. A follow-up hearing is set for March 19.
Court records list LaBeouf’s address as an Uptown home. Someone purchased the property in December for $1.1 million. This suggests the actor put down roots in the Crescent City.
Also Read : Hollywood Legend Robert Duvall, the “Chameleon” of Cinema, Dies at 95
