Shia LaBeouf accused of using homophobic slurs during New Orleans arrest

WorldEntertainment
20 Feb 2026 • 3:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • Actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans on two counts of simple battery following an alleged altercation just after midnight on Tuesday.
  • One alleged victim, Jeffrey Damnit, claims LaBeouf targeted him in a hate crime and is asking prosecutors to upgrade the charges.
  • Damnit alleges LaBeouf knocked him over and used homophobic slurs, including “You're a f*ing f****t”, after he tried to de-escalate the situation.
  • Video footage reportedly shows LaBeouf using a slur towards Damnit while being examined by first responders, and police reports noted LaBeouf's alleged use of slurs about “f****ts” putting him in jail.
  • LaBeouf was released from jail on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court on 19 March, having posted cryptic messages on social media since his arrest.

IN FULL