Shia LaBeouf Yelled 'I'm A Catholic' While Hurling Gay Slurs At His Alleged Victims, Police Claim
By Favour Adegoke on February 19, 2026 at 4:45 PM EST
Updated on February 19, 2026 at 5:57 PM EST
New details have revealed that Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans after allegedly targeting two men with anti-gay slurs and physical attacks at a bar.
One victim said he was punched in the nose despite trying to de-escalate, possibly causing a dislocation. The actor was charged with two counts of simple battery and released on his own recognizance.
The incident follows Shia LaBeouf's history of legal troubles and what has now been revealed to be marital issues with his estranged wife, Mia Goth.
Shia LaBeouf Allegedly Used Anti-Gay Slurs During His New Orleans Brawl
One of LaBeouf's alleged victims from his Monday night arrest in New Orleans claims the actor repeatedly directed anti-gay slurs at him during the confrontation.
According to a police report obtained by TMZ, LaBeouf shouted the slur multiple times at two men while striking them with his fists.
The report states he continued using offensive language even after officers arrived and began questioning those involved. At one point, he allegedly remarked, "These f--gots put me in jail. I'm a Catholic."
The incident reportedly began at R Bar in the city's French Quarter. Authorities say the "Transformers" actor became disruptive inside the establishment and was escorted out. After leaving, he allegedly returned in a more agitated state and became physical.
A second man told police he attempted to defuse the situation and made it clear he did not want to fight, but claims LaBeouf punched him in the nose. The report notes the injury may have caused a dislocation, and the man said he reset his nose himself before seeking medical treatment.
Shia LaBeouf Arrested Amid Ongoing Legal Troubles And Past Allegations
Video obtained before police intervention appears to show LaBeouf involved in a physical altercation. He was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery.
He appeared virtually the following day before a judge in the Orleans Parish Criminal Court and was released on his own recognizance by Judge Simone Levine, and is expected back in court on March 19.
This arrest is the latest in a history of legal troubles for LaBeouf. In June 2020, the actor was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor theft stemming from a separate incident.
He avoided jail time but was ordered to attend weekly private therapy for anger management, submit to random alcohol testing, and wear a Soberlink monitoring device.
Later that year, his former girlfriend, FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress.
The two met while working on the 2018 film "Honey Boy" and dated for about eight months before splitting in 2019.
The Actor And FKA Twigs Settled Their Legal Dispute
In her complaint, Twigs alleged that LaBeouf knowingly exposed her to a sexually transmitted disease and described the relationship as emotionally and physically abusive.
She claimed the alleged behavior included grabbing and squeezing her hard enough to cause bruising.
At the time, the "Salvable" actor denied many of the allegations, but acknowledged struggling with personal issues.
He said he was seeking treatment and working to improve himself, noting that he had not yet overcome what he described as PTSD and alcoholism. In July 2025, Twigs settled her lawsuit against LaBeouf, bringing the legal dispute to a close.
Shia LaBeouf Once Called Himself A 'Narcissist'
In a May 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, alongside director David Mamet, LaBeouf openly discussed past struggles with ego.
He referred to himself multiple times as "a narcissist," saying he is working toward a healthier version of himself.
Professionally, LaBeouf has continued acting, recently appearing in "Henry Johnson" and "Megalopolis," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, as well as "Padre Pio" and "Pieces of a Woman."
He first rose to fame on the "Even Stevens" TV show before leading major films, including "Transformers" and "Disturbia."
Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth Quietly Separate After Years Of On-And-Off Relationship
Amid the legal developments, LaBeouf's personal life has also shifted. He and his wife, Mia Goth, quietly separated last year, a source confirmed to People Magazine.
The couple, who began their on-and-off relationship in 2012, share a daughter born in 2022. According to an insider, their relationship had long been marked by ups and downs, with increased tension over the past year.
LaBeouf reportedly relocated from their Los Angeles home to New Orleans, a move the source says Goth encouraged.
The insider further notes that while the actress still "loves" LaBeouth, she doesn't need him.
"She's very independent," they added about the actress. "She has her own life, her own career, and her priority is their daughter."
Despite the split, LaBeouf remains involved in their daughter's life. The two actors first met while filming "Nymphomaniac: Vol. II," directed by Lars von Trier.
