Shia LaBeouf checks his watch as he arrives too early for court following chaotic New Orleans arrest

Shia LaBeouf was photographed out in New Orleans on Thursday morning, marking one of his first public outings since a turbulent few weeks that ended with the actor briefly behind bars.

The 39-year-old appeared low-key as he arrived bright and early at the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he is scheduled to appear on charges tied to an alleged bar fight that occurred in the early hours of Fat Tuesday. 

LaBeouf was dressed casually in a light-colored fleece jacket, blue jeans and distinctive cowboy boots.

At one point, LaBeouf was seen checking his watch and pacing nearby before crossing the street, keeping his head down as he moved through the area. 

An eyewitness told the Daily Mail that LaBeouf 'got there too early and left as it was closed.'

Court records show LaBeouf was arrested and booked on two counts of simple battery and bailed himself out of jail the same day he was arrested.

Eyewitnesses allege LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists.

Authorities say the situation escalated when LaBeouf returned to the scene and allegedly assaulted the same victim again before punching a second man in the nose. 

Witnesses reportedly attempted to restrain him until police arrived.

LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being booked into Orleans Parish Prison. He was charged with two counts of simple battery.

In a statement provided to Daily Mail, police said: 'At approximately 12:45am on February 17, 2026, NOPD officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street in response to a simple battery where two victims (two adult males), reported being assaulted.

Investigators say a man identified as LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business.

A staff member attempted to eject Mr. LaBeouf from the establishment. 

Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times.

The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.'

Police added: 'Multiple people attempted to hold him down – he was eventually let up in hopes that he would leave – but he reportedly again struck the same victim with closed fists to the victim's upper body. LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person – punching him in the nose.

LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived. 

He was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. 

Upon release, he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery.'

LaBeouf was involved in a confrontation outside a bar in the city's French Quarter. 

In video obtained by TMZ, the actor can be seen receiving medical treatment from paramedics following the alleged clash, though it remains unclear what led to the confrontation.

The Transformers star, who has a history of legal troubles and struggles with addiction, arrived in New Orleans earlier this month for the city's Mardi Gras festivities. 

Over the weekend, he put his legal woes aside to get cozy with a mystery woman at a New Orleans bar near Bourbon Street on Saturday. 

In video obtained by TMZ, the star could be seen kissing and holding hands with a petite brunette beauty, who warmly embraced him as they spoke back and forth in the nightclub.

The pair reportedly spent at least 45 minutes together and, at one point, danced to The Black Eyed Peas' 2009 hit I Gotta Feeling while on a balcony.

At this time, her identity remains unknown. 

It was recently revealed that LaBeouf's rollercoaster relationship with Mia Goth ended last year after nine years of marriage.

LaBeouf has previously credited Mia as having 'saved [his] f*****g life,' once revealing on an episode of the REAL ONES podcast that 'she gave me hope when I was really running on fumes.' 

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth for comment.

The pair started dating in December 2012 after meeting on the set of Nymphomaniac: Vol II, and they tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2016.

The couple's relationship was tumultuous, with the pair filmed in the midst of an explosive argument in 2015, and they went on to split up in 2018.

At the time a source told Page Six: 'Shia and Mia have filed for divorce. The separation is amicable, and all details pertaining to the divorce proceedings will remain private.'

Shia and Mia reconciled in 2020, and it was revealed that the latter was pregnant with the couple's child in 2022.

The X star gave birth to Isabel in March of that year.

While Shia and Mia were separated, he began dating singer FKA Twigs in 2019.

In December 2020, Twigs filed a high-profile action accusing the actor of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, along with knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. He denied all allegations against him.

The lawsuit sought $10million in damages for alleged sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress during the couple's relationship.

In July it was revealed that the pair had settled their lawsuit, with the British hitmaker requesting to dismiss all claims against LaBeouf, 39, with prejudice, meaning she cannot bring the case back to court in the future.

At the time of Twigs and LaBeouf's settlement, attorneys for both parties confirmed the matter had been resolved privately.