Topline: Police say the actor struck one victim multiple times and punched another in the nose after being removed from a Royal Street bar during early morning celebrations.
Published: February 19, 2026 8:22 am ET
Must Read
Photos via Instagram/X
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Actor Shia LaBeouf was taken into custody just before 1 a.m. on Mardi Gras Day after authorities said he became aggressive and struck two people during a disturbance on Royal Street.
Officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street around 12:45 a.m. in response to a report that two adult men had been assaulted, WVUE reported. Investigators said LaBeouf, 39, had been causing a disturbance inside the business and was becoming increasingly aggressive.
According to police, a staff member attempted to remove LaBeouf from the establishment. “Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times,” police said in a news release, as reported by NBC News. “The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.”
Multiple people tried to hold down the “Transformers” star and former Disney child actor, but when they allowed him to get up so he could leave, he is alleged to have struck the same victim again in the upper body with his fists, police said. “LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose,” police said. “LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived.”
Nola.com identified the location as R Bar in the Marigny and reported that one of the two people allegedly punched was an employee of the bar. Officials said the altercation began when the employee tried to eject LaBeouf after he caused a “disturbance” and became aggressive.
LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment “of unknown injuries” and was arrested upon his release, according to police and online records cited by NBC News. He was booked into the Orleans Parish jail on two counts of simple battery.
Court records show LaBeouf was released on his own recognizance by Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine prior to his scheduled first appearance in Orleans Parish Magistrate Court, WVUE reported. It was not immediately clear when or if he would be required to return to court.
Hours after his release, LaBeouf was seen on Bourbon Street celebrating with Mardi Gras revelers before festivities were shut down by city officials, WVUE reported. Nola.com also reported that he was spotted taking photos with fans and celebrating Fat Tuesday later that day.
Early Wednesday morning at 4:27 a.m., LaBeouf posted a brief message to X: “Free me.”
Free me
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 18, 2026
Nola.com reported that the two-word post appeared to reference the “Free Shia” phrase that quickly spread across the city and trended on social media following news of his arrest. The post prompted mixed reactions online, with some users asking for more context and others responding critically. “You’re a little too free my man,” one social media user wrote in reply.
Representatives for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to requests for comment, NBC News reported.
The arrest adds to a history of legal troubles for the actor. In 2020, his ex-partner, British singer FKA Twigs, sued him, accusing him of “relentless abuse,” including choking her and knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. The case was settled out of court last year after FKA Twigs dropped the lawsuit with prejudice.
At the time of the suit, LaBeouf said he had no excuses for his “alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations.” “I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years,” he said at the time. “I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt.”
In 2017, he made racist remarks to Georgia police officers who arrested him on suspicion of public drunkenness, The Associated Press reported. He pleaded guilty to obstruction and was sentenced to a year’s probation. The public drunkenness allegation was dropped, and LaBeouf later apologized, citing his addiction as a struggle.
In 2014, he was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment after disrupting a Broadway play, to which he pleaded guilty, according to The Associated Press.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Shia LaBeouf Arrested During Mardi Gras After Allegedly Punching Two in New Orleans
Police say the actor struck one victim multiple times and punched another in the nose after being removed from a Royal Street bar during early morning celebrations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 19, 2026 8:22 am ET
Photos via Instagram/X
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Actor Shia LaBeouf was taken into custody just before 1 a.m. on Mardi Gras Day after authorities said he became aggressive and struck two people during a disturbance on Royal Street.
Officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street around 12:45 a.m. in response to a report that two adult men had been assaulted, WVUE reported. Investigators said LaBeouf, 39, had been causing a disturbance inside the business and was becoming increasingly aggressive.
According to police, a staff member attempted to remove LaBeouf from the establishment. “Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times,” police said in a news release, as reported by NBC News. “The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.”
Multiple people tried to hold down the “Transformers” star and former Disney child actor, but when they allowed him to get up so he could leave, he is alleged to have struck the same victim again in the upper body with his fists, police said. “LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose,” police said. “LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived.”
Nola.com identified the location as R Bar in the Marigny and reported that one of the two people allegedly punched was an employee of the bar. Officials said the altercation began when the employee tried to eject LaBeouf after he caused a “disturbance” and became aggressive.
LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment “of unknown injuries” and was arrested upon his release, according to police and online records cited by NBC News. He was booked into the Orleans Parish jail on two counts of simple battery.
Court records show LaBeouf was released on his own recognizance by Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine prior to his scheduled first appearance in Orleans Parish Magistrate Court, WVUE reported. It was not immediately clear when or if he would be required to return to court.
Hours after his release, LaBeouf was seen on Bourbon Street celebrating with Mardi Gras revelers before festivities were shut down by city officials, WVUE reported. Nola.com also reported that he was spotted taking photos with fans and celebrating Fat Tuesday later that day.
Early Wednesday morning at 4:27 a.m., LaBeouf posted a brief message to X: “Free me.”
Free me
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 18, 2026
Nola.com reported that the two-word post appeared to reference the “Free Shia” phrase that quickly spread across the city and trended on social media following news of his arrest. The post prompted mixed reactions online, with some users asking for more context and others responding critically. “You’re a little too free my man,” one social media user wrote in reply.
Representatives for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to requests for comment, NBC News reported.
The arrest adds to a history of legal troubles for the actor. In 2020, his ex-partner, British singer FKA Twigs, sued him, accusing him of “relentless abuse,” including choking her and knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. The case was settled out of court last year after FKA Twigs dropped the lawsuit with prejudice.
At the time of the suit, LaBeouf said he had no excuses for his “alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations.” “I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years,” he said at the time. “I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt.”
In 2017, he made racist remarks to Georgia police officers who arrested him on suspicion of public drunkenness, The Associated Press reported. He pleaded guilty to obstruction and was sentenced to a year’s probation. The public drunkenness allegation was dropped, and LaBeouf later apologized, citing his addiction as a struggle.
In 2014, he was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment after disrupting a Broadway play, to which he pleaded guilty, according to The Associated Press.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Shia LaBeouf Arrested During Mardi Gras After Allegedly Punching Two in New Orleans
Police say the actor struck one victim multiple times and punched another in the nose after being removed from a Royal Street bar during early morning celebrations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 19, 2026 8:22 am ET
Photos via Instagram/X
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Actor Shia LaBeouf was taken into custody just before 1 a.m. on Mardi Gras Day after authorities said he became aggressive and struck two people during a disturbance on Royal Street.
Officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street around 12:45 a.m. in response to a report that two adult men had been assaulted, WVUE reported. Investigators said LaBeouf, 39, had been causing a disturbance inside the business and was becoming increasingly aggressive.
According to police, a staff member attempted to remove LaBeouf from the establishment. “Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times,” police said in a news release, as reported by NBC News. “The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.”
Multiple people tried to hold down the “Transformers” star and former Disney child actor, but when they allowed him to get up so he could leave, he is alleged to have struck the same victim again in the upper body with his fists, police said. “LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose,” police said. “LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived.”
Nola.com identified the location as R Bar in the Marigny and reported that one of the two people allegedly punched was an employee of the bar. Officials said the altercation began when the employee tried to eject LaBeouf after he caused a “disturbance” and became aggressive.
LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment “of unknown injuries” and was arrested upon his release, according to police and online records cited by NBC News. He was booked into the Orleans Parish jail on two counts of simple battery.
Court records show LaBeouf was released on his own recognizance by Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine prior to his scheduled first appearance in Orleans Parish Magistrate Court, WVUE reported. It was not immediately clear when or if he would be required to return to court.
Hours after his release, LaBeouf was seen on Bourbon Street celebrating with Mardi Gras revelers before festivities were shut down by city officials, WVUE reported. Nola.com also reported that he was spotted taking photos with fans and celebrating Fat Tuesday later that day.
Early Wednesday morning at 4:27 a.m., LaBeouf posted a brief message to X: “Free me.”
Free me
— Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) February 18, 2026
Nola.com reported that the two-word post appeared to reference the “Free Shia” phrase that quickly spread across the city and trended on social media following news of his arrest. The post prompted mixed reactions online, with some users asking for more context and others responding critically. “You’re a little too free my man,” one social media user wrote in reply.
Representatives for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to requests for comment, NBC News reported.
The arrest adds to a history of legal troubles for the actor. In 2020, his ex-partner, British singer FKA Twigs, sued him, accusing him of “relentless abuse,” including choking her and knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. The case was settled out of court last year after FKA Twigs dropped the lawsuit with prejudice.
At the time of the suit, LaBeouf said he had no excuses for his “alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations.” “I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years,” he said at the time. “I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt.”
In 2017, he made racist remarks to Georgia police officers who arrested him on suspicion of public drunkenness, The Associated Press reported. He pleaded guilty to obstruction and was sentenced to a year’s probation. The public drunkenness allegation was dropped, and LaBeouf later apologized, citing his addiction as a struggle.
In 2014, he was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment after disrupting a Broadway play, to which he pleaded guilty, according to The Associated Press.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
