New Orleans police arrested actor Shia LaBeouf early Wednesday morning following an alleged altercation during Mardi Gras celebrations in the French Quarter. LaBeouf, 39, faces two counts of simple battery, according to a statement released by the New Orleans Police Department. The incident marks the latest in a series of legal issues for the actor, who has faced both criminal charges and civil lawsuits in recent years.
Police responded to a call around 12:45 a.m. Local time regarding a disturbance at an unspecified business in the French Quarter. Officers were informed that LaBeouf was “causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive” inside the establishment, the Associated Press reported. An employee attempted to remove LaBeouf from the premises, at which point the actor allegedly physically assaulted a man, striking him “multiple times with closed fists.”
Alleged Assault and Arrest Details
According to police reports, LaBeouf initially left the area but later returned and continued to act aggressively. “Multiple individuals attempted to restrain him, releasing him in hopes he would leave,” police stated. The first man allegedly struck by LaBeouf reported being hit again upon the actor’s return. A second man told officers that LaBeouf also punched him in the nose. Both men were reportedly held by others until police arrived on the scene.
LaBeouf was subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being taken into police custody. As of Wednesday afternoon, court and jail records did not list an attorney representing LaBeouf, and emails sent to his publicists have not yet received a response. The timeline of events, from the initial disturbance to the arrest, unfolded over a period of several hours during the peak of Mardi Gras festivities.
A History of Legal Issues
This arrest is not LaBeouf’s first encounter with the law. In early 2017, he was arrested in New York City for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, an incident that was livestreamed and widely publicized. He was later required to attend court-mandated rehabilitation. Later that same year, while filming “The Peanut Butter Falcon” in Georgia, he was arrested again for public drunkenness, as well as disorderly conduct and obstruction, and sentenced to probation. Fox 8 Live reported that he was released from jail after the Mardi Gras arrest.
In 2020, LaBeouf faced charges of misdemeanor battery and petty theft in Los Angeles. That same year, he was also the subject of a lawsuit filed by singer and actor FKA Twigs (Tahliah Barnett), who alleged physical and emotional abuse during their relationship. Barnett detailed allegations of abuse, including being slammed into a car, threatened with strangulation, and knowingly being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases. LaBeouf issued a statement apologizing for his actions following the filing of the lawsuit, but subsequently denied the accusations in a 2021 court filing, claiming he was not responsible for any injuries or damages Barnett may have incurred.
From Child Star to Controversy
LaBeouf first gained recognition as a child actor on the Disney Channel series “Even Stevens.” He transitioned to a successful film career, starring in blockbuster franchises such as “Transformers” (2007) and “Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull” (2008). Despite his early success, LaBeouf’s career has been frequently punctuated by public controversies and legal troubles. He shares a daughter, born in 2022, with actor Mia Goth.
The actor was recently appearing at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, promoting films “The Phoenician Scheme” and “Slauson Rec.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the New Orleans Police Department has not released further details regarding the investigation. The next step in the legal process will likely involve LaBeouf’s arraignment, where he will be formally presented with the charges and given an opportunity to enter a plea. Updates on the case will be available through the Orleans Parish Criminal Court.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at https://www.thehotline.org/.
This is a developing story. We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available. Share your thoughts on this story in the comments below.
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