Mike Epps arrested after New Orleans casino altercation
Actor, comedian and Indianapolis native Mike Epps was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly struck a man multiple times during an altercation in a New Orleans casino.
According to a report from NOLA.com, Epps, 46, was one of two men taken into custody on suspicion of battery Saturday night after a scuffle at Harrah's Casino, police records state. In addition to the battery accusations, an arrest warrant was issued for Epps and the other suspect after they missed a Tuesday arraignment.
Documents state that Epps and a 52-year-old Brooklyn man got into a physical altercation with a man from Virginia about 5:02 a.m. Saturday. The men were reportedly in town for the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The unidentified victim told The New Orleans Advocate that he saw Epps while going to cash chips. "I said 'Oh, Mike Epps!'" he told The Advocate. "The next thing I know, he started hitting me in the face, unprovoked."
Police described unreleased surveillance video to NOLA.com, stating that the Virginia man can be seen in the footage putting his hand on Epps and Epps pushing the man's hand down "as if he was saying not to touch him," police wrote in a report.
The video then shows the victim stepping closer to Epps and the two exchanging words, the report said. That is when Epps allegedly punched the man three times.
The Brooklyn man can be seen striking the man multiple times after Epps' strikes, the report said.
Records indicate that Epps was booked at 2:40 p.m. Saturday. His arraignment was set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, but he did not show and an attachment for his arrest was issued later in the day with bond set at $2,500.
This story will be updated.
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