No charges will be filed against anyone involved in the Britney Spears-Victor Wembanyama incident. The Las Vegas Police Department told Yahoo Entertainment that authorities have concluded their investigation into Wednesday night’s alleged battery altercation.
Spears addressed the “embarrassing” and “traumatic” situation in a moving statement Thursday. The superstar claimed she was ‘flipped’ in the ‘face’ by someone from Wembanyama’s security team when she tried to approach the San Antonio Spurs player to ‘congratulate him on his success “. Wembanyama was the NBA’s No. 1 pick in 2023.
Here is the latest.
Spears breaks silence on ‘traumatic’ incident
Hours after the story made headlines, the singer posted the following statement on social media:
Traumatic experiences are nothing new to me and I’ve had my fair share of them. I was unprepared for what happened to me last night. I recognized an athlete in the lobby of my hotel as I walked to dinner. Later, I went to another hotel’s restaurant and saw him again. I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success. It was really loud, so I patted her on the shoulder to get her attention. I’m aware of the player’s statement where he mentions “I grabbed him from behind” but I just tapped him on the shoulder. His security then gave me a backhand in the face without turning around, in front of a crowd. I almost fell over and lost my glasses.
I am invaded by people all the time. In fact, that night I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security team didn’t hit any of them.
This story is super embarrassing to share with the world, but it’s already here. However, I think it’s important to share this story and urge public figures to lead by example and treat everyone with respect.
Physical abuse happens too much in this world. Often behind closed doors. I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!! I have yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or his organization. I hope they will…
I treasure the tremendous amount of love and support I’m receiving right now. Thanks to the Las Vegas PD and detectives for their support.
Wembanyama claims Spears ‘grabbed me from behind’ so security ‘pushed her back’
The NBA player spoke to ESPN about the incident, explaining that he was walking into a restaurant with team security when everything fell apart. Frenchman Wembanyama, who has been billed as a basketball phenom, is in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. Before the exit, his security told him not to stop due to the concerns of the crowd.
“A person… was calling me ‘Sir, sir’ and that person grabbed me from behind,” Wembanyama explained. “I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and I didn’t stop. But this person grabbed me from behind, not on my shoulder, he grabbed me from behind. I I just know that security pushed her back. I don’t know how hard, but security pushed her back.”
Wembanyama said he “didn’t stop to look” at who it was and kept walking around the restaurant so he could enjoy a nice dinner. He didn’t know it was Spears until “a few hours” later.
“When I got back to the hotel…I didn’t forget it, but I thought it was no big deal, and then Spurs security told me it was Britney Spears,” he said. he continued. “At first I was like, ‘No, you’re kidding.’ But yeah, it turns out it was Britney Spears. I didn’t know because I never saw her face. I just kept walking straight.
Police have opened an investigation into the battery
Yahoo confirmed that Spears filed a police report after the confrontation, which apparently identifies Spurs director of team security Damian Smith as the person who allegedly hijacked the singer.
“On July 5, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., LVMPD officers responded to a property in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a battery investigation,” a police spokesperson said Thursday. “The incident was documented on a police report and no arrests or citations were issued.”
A criminal investigation was conducted, but on Friday morning the LVMPD said its investigation was complete and “no charges will be filed against anyone involved”.
A witness confirms Spears’ version
A man who saw it all happen at the Aria Hotel told TMZ he saw Spears approach Wembanyama. Supposedly, she leaned over and said, “Excuse me, sir… excuse me, sir.” Spears apparently touched Wembanyama’s back and it was then that the witness claimed to have seen a Spurs security guard punch her in the face, causing Spears’ sunglasses to fly off.
Sam Asghari also watched it all fall apart
Spears’ husband blasted the “coward” who allegedly hit his wife, but said Wembanyama was not at fault.
“The violent behavior of an out-of-control security guard should not cast a shadow over the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise. The blame should fall on the coward who did it, the people who hired him without proper verification, and a systemic culture of disdain for women in sports and entertainment,” he wrote, in part, on Instagram.
“I can’t imagine a scenario where an unarmed fan showing any kind of excitement or appreciation for a celebrity would have them physically assaulted, let alone punched in the face for tapping someone on the shoulder,” he added.
This story was originally posted on Thursday, July 6 and has been updated to include the latest information.