New Orleans, LA – Actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with two counts of simple battery following alleged altercations during Mardi Gras celebrations in the French Quarter, according to the New Orleans Police Department. The arrest, which occurred around 12:45 a.m. On Royal Street, marks the latest incident in a series of reports detailing disruptive behavior by the actor during an extended stay in the city.
Police responded to a call from a staff member at a business on Royal Street who reported being punched by a man later identified as 39-year-old Shia LaBeouf. According to the NOPD statement, LaBeouf was initially asked to abandon the establishment due to a disturbance. “Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times,” police said. The situation escalated when LaBeouf allegedly returned, acting more aggressively, and struck the same victim again before assaulting a second individual by punching him in the nose, NBC News reported.
LaBeouf was subsequently restrained by multiple people until police arrived on the scene. He was then taken to a local hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being formally arrested and charged. Representatives for LaBeouf have not yet responded to requests for comment, according to multiple news outlets including Sky News.
Reports of Disruptive Behavior Preceded Arrest
The arrest follows reports from The Hollywood Reporter detailing LaBeouf’s presence on an “extended-weekend bar crawl” in New Orleans since Thursday, February 12. Sources described the actor as “inebriated” and “somewhat belligerent” during a visit to Ms Mae’s bar on Sunday, February 15, alleging he arrived without a shirt or money. A patron at the live jazz club Dos Jefes reportedly witnessed LaBeouf being disruptive, “louder than everyone and was giving acting instructions to a girl at the bar.”
One anonymous bar employee told The Hollywood Reporter, “He is terrorising the city!” Adding to the narrative, LaBeouf posted an image of himself on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15 wearing Mardi Gras beads.
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 15, 2026
A Career Marked by Both Success and Controversy
Shia LaBeouf rose to prominence as a teenager starring in the Disney Channel series Even Stevens. He later gained widespread recognition for his roles in the Transformers franchise and films like Disturbia and Lawless. More recently, LaBeouf appeared in the 2025 films Henry Johnson and Salvable, and participated in the documentary Slauson Rec, which chronicles the experimental acting collective he founded in 2018.
However, LaBeouf’s career has also been punctuated by legal issues and public controversies. In 2020, his former partner, singer FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit alleging “relentless abuse,” including claims of choking and knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease. The case was settled out of court last year after Twigs dropped the lawsuit “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled, according to reports at the time.
What’s Next in the New Orleans Case?
LaBeouf is facing two counts of simple battery in connection with the Mardi Gras incident. The New Orleans Police Department has not released further details regarding the investigation. We see currently unknown when LaBeouf will appear in court. The actor was treated for injuries at a local hospital before being taken into custody, but the nature of those injuries has not been disclosed. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
This is a developing story. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the New Orleans Police Department.
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/.
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