Actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans after an alleged altercation outside a bar in the city’s French Quarter, according to police records and eyewitnesses.
Actor Shia LaBeouf arrested during Mardi Gras incident in New Orleans
The incident happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday and drew emergency services to one of the busiest areas of the annual festival.
Authorities confirmed the actor was taken into custody and booked with two counts of simple assault after what officials described as a physical confrontation involving multiple people. The arrests came amid large crowds gathered for Mardi Gras festivities, an event known for drawing thousands of visitors to the Louisiana city each year.
Read also | Kanpur Lamborghini accident: Son of tobacco baron Shivam Mishra granted bail
Video obtained by TMZ entertainment shows the aftermath of the incident outside a salon in the French Quarter. In the footage, LaBeouf appears shirtless, with visible tattoos on his back, standing on the street and facing several people. At one point, he is seen leaning towards the man as if trying to speak to him during what appears to be a tense standoff.
An eyewitness told TMZ that the actor was escorted out of the bar by staff shortly before the situation escalated. A confrontation outside the venue ensued, leading to a brief fight, according to a witness statement. After the altercation, LaBeouf reportedly left the area before returning to the front of the bar where emergency responders arrived.
Paramedics treated the actor on the spot. The video footage shows LaBeouf receiving medical attention while talking animatedly to emergency medical personnel. Another photographer later captured images of him being placed in a parked ambulance with emergency lights flashing. Reports indicated that he did not appear to have sustained serious injuries.
Read also | When is Mardi Gras 2026? Why is it celebrated? What is Fat Tuesday?
Police have not released any details about what led to the confrontation or whether others involved in the incident may be charged. According to authorities, the investigation is still ongoing.
Shia LaBeouf and his previous struggles
The arrest put LaBeouf back in the public spotlight due to the legal problems that regularly interrupted his acting career. Once considered one of Hollywood’s most promising young performers after his breakthrough in Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and later major success in the Transformers franchise, the actor has had a tumultuous personal journey marked by legal issues and highly publicized struggles with addiction and mental health.
In 2017, LaBeouf was arrested in Savannah, Georgia for public intoxication and disorderly conduct, an incident that led to a court-ordered rehab. At the time, the actor publicly acknowledged problems related to alcohol consumption and emotional well-being, and later spoke about trying to address his behavior and focus on recovery.
Read also | What authorities can do to help employees return to work after a mental health break
Over the past decade, LaBeouf has attempted to rebuild his professional reputation through smaller independent projects and autobiographical work. His semi-autobiographical film Honey Boy, which he wrote based on his own childhood experiences, received critical praise and was widely regarded as a turning point in his artistic career.
The Mardi Gras arrest comes as LaBeouf has largely kept a lower public profile compared to earlier periods of controversy. Industry observers note that incidents involving celebrities during large public festivals are not uncommon, especially in environments where crowds, alcohol and heightened emotions converge.
The actor’s representatives have not yet released a public statement regarding the arrest or charges. A trial in New Orleans District Court is expected to follow on simple battery charges.