shia labeouf Accused of Using Homophobic Slurs Before Mardi Gras Arrest in New Orleans

Actor shia labeouf was arrested early Tuesday during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans after two men say he assaulted them and directed homophobic slurs at them. Police charged him with two counts of misdemeanor battery; a judge ordered his release on his own recognizance by Tuesday afternoon ET while the matter proceeds through the courts.

Victims say slurs and abuse preceded arrest

Two men identified by investigators as victims have described a violent encounter that they say included anti-gay epithets. Jeffrey Damnit, who was born with the last name Klein, said he was wearing mascara, eye shadow and lipstick at the time and that the actor tried to beat him up "while screaming, 'You're a fucking faggot. '" Damnit shared a cellphone video showing the actor being examined by first responders in the back of a vehicle; the clip includes the actor glancing at Damnit and saying the slur.

The other man named by police, Nathan Thomas Reed, who identifies as queer, also said he was targeted with the same slur. An initial police report included a further alleged statement by the actor referencing the victims with a slur and his Catholic faith. That line was omitted from a later sworn court summary of probable cause that was filed with the criminal case.

A police spokesperson declined to comment beyond saying the matter remains an ongoing investigation that must be adjudicated in court. Under Louisiana law, prosecutors may pursue hate-crime enhancements when a violent offense is committed because of a victim's real or perceived sexual orientation; it is not yet clear whether prosecutors will seek such an enhancement in this case.

Arrest, release and public appearance

Authorities charged the 39-year-old actor with two counts of simple battery after the early-morning confrontation on Fat Tuesday. He was held in custody and scheduled to make a court appearance that would have occurred at 4: 00 p. m. ET. By Tuesday afternoon ET the court released him on his own recognizance pending further proceedings.

Within hours of his release, the actor was photographed and seen on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, wearing Mardi Gras beads and holding his release papers in his mouth while dancing among revelers. He told a local reporter that "Mardi Gras is amazing" and praised the interesting people he had met. Later, at about 5: 30 a. m. ET on Ash Wednesday, he posted the single-line message "Free me. " on his social feed.

Damnit, who was visiting New Orleans from Los Angeles and spent Mardi Gras dressed in drag, said he hopes the union that represents screen performers will examine whether it remains safe for LaBeouf to work alongside other members. The other alleged victim also made clear he wants the slur and the attack to be part of the public record as the case moves forward.

Context: nights out and personal reporting

Several New Orleans bar staff and patrons had described the actor's behavior around town in the days before the arrest, recounting runs of heavy drinking and boisterous conduct in multiple venues during the lead-up to Fat Tuesday. Accounts from employees characterized some interactions as belligerent while others who encountered him said he was friendly or cooperative on certain nights.

Separately, one account in circulation asserts that the actor and his wife quietly split nearly a year ago, and that he relocated to New Orleans to be closer to family. That personal status has not been confirmed in court filings, and representatives for the actor and his former partner have not provided comments about their relationship to the public record connected to this matter.

The criminal case will move through the local court system in the coming weeks. Prosecutors will decide whether to press hate-crime enhancements or pursue additional counts as investigators review witness statements, video evidence and medical or emergency responder reports.