Shia LaBeouf wrote “Free me” on his X account Wednesday morning, one day after his arrest over an alleged physical altercation during Mardis Gras in New Orleans.
The “Transformers” actor was involved in an incident early Tuesday outside a bar in the French Quarter, during which he allegedly assaulted two men. According to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department shared with Variety, LaBeouf was “reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasing[ly] aggressive” at a business on Royal Street.
“Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf, who used his closed fists on the victim several times,” the department said.
After briefly leaving, LaBeouf returned and acted “even more aggressive.” Police added, “Multiple people attempted to hold him down — he was eventually let up in hopes that he would leave — but he reportedly again struck the same victim with closed fists to the victim’s upper body.”
The statement noted that LaBeouf allegedly assaulted another individual by “punching him in the nose.”
LaBeouf is facing two charges of simple battery. He was released from jail in New Orleans on Tuesday, and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 19.
LaBeouf has had a history of erratic behavior and prior legal issues, including a lawsuit filed against him by musician FKA Twigs, who accused him of sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit was settled in July of last year.
In an earlier incident, LaBeouf was ordered by a court to attend rehab after his 2017 arrest in Georgia on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
In 2025, LaBeouf appeared in Leo Lewis O’Neil’s documentary “Slauson Rec,” which followed the actor as he leads an experimental theater company. The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior.
