Shia Labeouf Goes Back to the Streets of Mardi Gras Right After Jail Release
Shia LaBeouf reportedly wasted no time returning to the festivities of Mardi Gras in New Orleans immediately following his recent run-in with the law. After being released from custody on Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, the actor was seen back on the streets of the French Quarter.
LaBeouf had been charged with two counts of simple battery after a violent altercation that left him hospitalized before his booking. Footage obtained by the Daily Mail captured the actor in a tense moment shortly after his release, where he was seen tearing off a wristband.
He reportedly told a nearby photographer to leave me alone before starting to jog away from the scene. Despite the early morning drama, he seemed determined to re-enter the celebratory spirit of the city.
The actor allegedly walked two miles to reach the heart of the parade route, stopping along the way to purchase a fresh shirt and sunglasses at a local shop. Once he arrived at the festivities, he was observed blending into the crowd, sipping beer, and occasionally posing for pictures with fans.
This public appearance came just hours after he had been involved in a brawl that required multiple bystanders to restrain him. The original incident occurred in the predawn hours of Tuesday outside a bar on Royal Street.
Video evidence from the scene showed a shirtless LaBeouf engaged in a struggle on the ground with several men who were holding him down. As he attempted to stand, another man entered the frame and struck him twice in the face, warning him to stay down.
EXCLUSIVE
— Simo Saadi (@Simo7809957085) February 17, 2026
Shia LaBeouf runs
away from jail before two-mile walk of shame ends in humiliating new low at Mardi Gras: Explosive blow-by-blow account and leaked bar brawl pic.twitter.com/OVb6JJKxEF
This latest episode marks a significant setback for the 39-year-old, who had previously been very vocal about his commitment to sobriety. Back in 2022, he shared in an interview that he had quit alcohol for good and had maintained his sobriety for over eighteen months.
He frequently credited his faith and the support of his community for helping him turn a new leaf after years of public legal battles. In addition to his legal troubles, LaBeouf is also navigating a major shift in his personal life, as sources indicate he and wife Mia Goth quietly separated last year.
The couple, who married in 2016 and share a young daughter, had been known for their on-and-off relationship for nearly a decade. Insiders suggest that the Transformers star recently relocated to New Orleans permanently to be closer to his family following the breakup.
Despite his personal volatility, LaBeouf remains active in the film industry with several projects slated for this year and beyond. He is set to star in the crime thriller God of the Rodeo, directed by Rosalind Ross, which explores the grit and redemption of the prison rodeo circuit.
He has a leading role in David Mamet’s Henry Johnson, and also has a role in the upcoming psychological drama Salvable. The actor’s career continues to be a mix of high-profile artistic collaborations and headline-grabbing controversies.
He recently appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Megalopolis and is reportedly developing new scripts under his own production banner. As he awaits his next court hearing on March 19, many are wondering if the actor will be able to regain the professional momentum he cultivated during his period of sobriety.
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