Shia LaBeouf Faces New Battery Charges in New Orleans

Shia LaBeouf was arrested this month due to unrelated allegations stemming from a bar fight during Mardi Gras. Reports indicate he was taken into custody early Saturday on a fresh charge of simple battery and is currently being held at the Louisiana-Orleans Justice Center. An arrest warrant was issued after more victims from an incident outside R Bar on February 17 came forward.

This marks the actor’s third simple battery charge related to this incident. He is set to make his first court appearance concerning these new charges later today.

LaBeouf already appeared in court on February 26 for a status hearing linked to earlier charges, at which time the Orleans Parish Criminal Court judge set his bail at $100,000 and mandated that he return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Previously, he faced criticism for shouting homophobic slurs while allegedly assaulting multiple people near the French Quarter, an altercation that reportedly left one victim with a dislocated nose.

In that hearing, the judge also required LaBeouf to submit to weekly drug tests.

After the hearing, he managed to post bail and was spotted quickly leaving the courthouse while trying to evade the media. Local news captured footage of him walking away in a white fleece pullover and jeans.

The trouble began during an early morning bar fight in New Orleans’ Faubourg Marigny district. Authorities responded to reports of a simple assault around 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, where two male victims claimed they were attacked on Royal Street. Witnesses reported that LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive as staff attempted to remove him from the venue, allegedly pushing his fist towards a victim multiple times.

The situation escalated as LaBeouf reportedly left only to return and continue the confrontation. Multiple people tried to restrain him outside the business, but he eventually assaulted one victim by punching him in the nose.

Police noted that LaBeouf had to be detained until law enforcement arrived and was taken to the hospital for unspecified injuries. Once released, he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault.

Interestingly, LaBeouf made headlines by posting a brief message on social media the next day, simply stating “Release me.” Earlier that day, he was seen celebrating Mardi Gras and dancing on Bourbon Street with a piece of release paper in his mouth.