Police issue update after actor Shia LaBeouf arrested for assaulting two men
Shia LaBeouf was placed under arrest yesterday for allegedly assaulting two men during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.
According to the city's police department, officers were called out at 12:45am on Tuesday (17 February) after a Royal Street Inn and Bar employee was reported to have been punched by the former child star.
In a statement, officers claimed LaBeouf, 39, punched one of the two victims several times, before turning his attention to the other. He is then understood to have punched the second man on the nose.
Following his apprehension, the Transformers star was charged with 'two counts of simple battery'.
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LaBeouf sky-rocketed to stardom in the early 00s after being cast by Disney Channel executives in the coming-of-age sit-com Even Stevens - a role which earned him a Daytime Emmy.
The years that followed saw the Hollywood favourite appear in a handful of blockbuster hits, including Holes, Disturbia, Constantine, Lawless, Fury, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Work somewhat dried up for LaBeouf in the early 2010s, however, after he was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal trespass in 2014, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and obstruction in 2017, and misdemeanour battery and petty theft in 2020.
He was also sued by his musician ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs for sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress in 2020, before the case was settled on undisclosed terms five years later.
Of his latest arrest, a New Orleans Police Department spokesperson said in a statement: "A man identified as 39-year-old Shia LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasing[ly] aggressive at a Royal Street business.
"Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times."
Attending officers stated that LaBeouf then left the premises, but 'came back, acting even more aggressive', punching the same initial victim again, and then punching the other 'in the nose'.
The Los Angeles-born star was subsequently restrained by police before being taken to a nearby hospital to receive 'treatment' for 'unknown injuries'.
Following his release, LaBeouf was charged.
The circumstances that led to the attack have not yet been disclosed.
According to The Guardian, who cited ABC's local news outlet, the actor was later seen back on Bourbon Street - the city's main party road - dancing with his release papers in his mouth.
His next court hearing has been scheduled for 19 March.
LaBeouf previously opened up on his battle with alcoholism, attending rehab in Savannah, Georgia, following his 2017 arrest.
Rhianna Benson