Shia LaBeouf posted “free me” on X Wednesday morning following his arrest early Tuesday in New Orleans during a Mardi Gras bar crawl.
LaBeouf is not currently in custody, but the actor faces two charges of simple battery with a hearing scheduled for March 19.
In addition, new videos circulated on social media showing the actor dancing on Bourbon Street after his release — with LaBeouf holding his jail release paperwork in his mouth, according to local news station WGNO.
LaBeouf allegedly fought with two men, both of whom told police LaBeouf assaulted them.
The New Orleans Police Department had released a statement following the Transformers actor’s arrest: “A man identified as 39-year-old Shia LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business. Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf, who used his closed fists on the victim several times.”
The incident took place after a bar’s staff member attempted to eject LaBeouf from the premises. LaBeouf then left but soon returned to the bar, according to the police report, and, at that point, was allegedly acting more aggressively, as a small crowd looked on.
After multiple onlookers attempted to hold him down, LaBeouf was let go, the police report states, “in hopes that he would leave.” But he then allegedly resumed hitting the same man whom he’d punched earlier, according to the police report on the scuffle.
LaBeouf then allegedly punched another person in the nose; he was then held down until police officers arrived at the scene.
The establishment’s doorman said LaBeouf was in an “inebriated” state and “somewhat belligerent.” He was also without cash or a shirt, putting the latter back on when he was told he had to. The doorman said, “He did the ‘Do you know who I am?’ bit” and begrudgingly left without incident after he attempted to “be a celebrity bartender” and was asked to leave.
The arrest comes after LaBeouf, who recently claimed to be sober and blamed past abusive behavior on alcoholism, went on an extended-weekend bar crawl during Mardi Gras in New Orleans’ Uptown neighborhood, according to employees of various drinking establishments. The actor is of Cajun descent on his father’s side and is a frequent attendee of the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter alongside his Henry Johnson director David Mamet in May 2025, LaBeouf reflected on past psychological struggles, referring to himself as a “pure actor” sand multiple times called himself “a narcissist.”
Hilary Lewis and Kevin Dolak contributed to this report.
