NEW ORLEANS — Mardi Gras is built on chaos, but early Tuesday morning, the French Quarter’s celebration tipped into something darker when actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested after police say he struck two men during a late-night confrontation amid the crowds. Authorities say the incident unfolded around 12:45 a.m. during the height of Carnival energy—when streets are packed, tempers run hot, and one flashpoint can turn an entire block into a scene.

LaBeouf, 39, was booked on two counts of simple battery, according to the New Orleans Police Department and an Associated Press report. Police say they responded after two men reported being assaulted in the French Quarter.

Multiple outlets citing a police report describe a volatile sequence: LaBeouf allegedly escalated an argument with bar patrons, used homophobic slurs, and struck individuals who tried to intervene. An AP account—published through regional partners—said the report alleges he repeatedly used slurs while hitting multiple people at a bar during Mardi Gras. The Guardian, reporting from New Orleans, similarly described allegations that the actor targeted a queer man with slurs before the altercation turned physical.

CourtHouse News, also citing police narrative, reported that LaBeouf was allegedly removed from a venue, then hit a man “multiple times with closed fists,” left, returned, and continued acting aggressively as bystanders tried to restrain him. Police said LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being released.

The story did not end with the booking. Entertainment outlets reported LaBeouf was seen returning to Mardi Gras revelry shortly after his release—an image that only poured gasoline on the public reaction: handcuffs one moment, Bourbon Street the next. People magazine later published details from the alleged victims’ accounts and noted the actor’s next court date is scheduled for March 19, with a mugshot released by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office days later.

The arrest lands amid renewed scrutiny of LaBeouf’s turbulent public history. He has faced prior arrests and allegations involving aggressive behavior, a record frequently referenced in coverage of the Mardi Gras incident.

Meanwhile, personal-life speculation has surged. The Los Angeles Times reported that multiple outlets have described LaBeouf and his wife, actor Mia Goth, as separated—though neither side has publicly confirmed details, and reports of an “ultimatum” remain unverified and largely confined to tabloid framing.

For now, the clearest picture comes from the police allegations: a midnight spiral in the French Quarter where celebration turned into confrontation—ending with a headline Mardi Gras didn’t ask for, and a court date New Orleans won’t forget anytime soon.