Transformers star Shia LaBeouf has sparked yet another controversy for reportedly shouting homophobic slurs at two men on the morning of the Mardi Gras holiday before his eventual arrest. The incident occurred at a New Orleans establishment on Tuesday morning, following a scuffle between the under-fire actor and the bar employees.
Reports suggest Shia LaBeouf used slur words before arrest
Two men, namely Jeffrey Damnit and Nathan Thomas Reed, have reportedly shared evidence of Shia LaBeouf repeatedly hurling homophobic slurs at the duo after allegedly inciting a brawl at a bar on February 17.
According to The Guardian, Damnit revealed on Wednesday that the 39-year-old actor attempted to assault him as he screamed, “You’re a f***ing f**got.” He then disclosed a video, captured with his phone, highlighting Shia LaBeouf’s arrest. Despite being in the police’s vehicle, LaBeouf continued throwing insults at Damnit, referring to him by the aforementioned homophobic slur. “Keep on calling me f**got,” Damnit said while replying to the actor.
Reed, who identifies as a queer man, reacted to the debacle by stating, “I want it to be known that he was calling people f**got.”
Authorities involved in Shia LaBeouf’s arrest noted that things started escalating when the Megalopolis star began causing a ruckus at R Bar in New Orleans’ Marigny section. Damnit, who was also present at the establishment, shared that a seemingly intoxicated LaBeouf initially tried getting in a bartender’s face before giving out animated reactions.
Official court documents reveal that LaBeouf even attempted to assault a bar manager as he tried to escort the movie star out. After his ousting, LaBeouf allegedly punched Damnit in his upper body, before landing a blow on Reed’s nose.
Damnit further claimed that LaBeouf blurted out death threats to him. People around the establishment subsequently chimed in and restricted the actor. After taking Shia LaBeouf to a hospital, the police arrested him on two counts of misdemeanor battery.
“These f**gots put me in jail – I’m a Catholic,” LaBeouf remarked, per the report.
The court ultimately set the actor free, with Shia LaBeouf, sporting his release papers in his mouth, taking to Bourbon Street just hours after his arrest.
