No charges will be filed following a brief investigation into the altercation this week involving pop star Britney Spears, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and a member of the player’s security team, Las Vegas police said Friday.
Spears said she was struck by a security guard as she tried to approach Wembanyama near a restaurant at the ARIA hotel and casino Wednesday night. Wembanyama said a person had grabbed him from behind and that the security detail he was with pushed the pop star away. He was told hours later it was Spears.
TMZ, which first reported alleged details of the incident, said Spears noticed Wembanyama and tapped him on the shoulder in an effort to get his attention for a photo. According to TMZ, Spears wound up being struck in the face and having her glasses knocked off.
Spears had filed a police report, alleging battery. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department said Friday that its investigation is over and that “no charges will be filed against the person involved.”
Wembanyama said Thursday that security had advised him not to stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build.
“Something did happen, a little bit, when I was walking with some security from the team to some restaurant,” Wembanyama said. “We were in the hall. There was a lot of people, so people were calling [at] me, obviously. There was one person who was calling me, but we talked before with security.
“I couldn’t stop. That person was calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind,” he added. “I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and didn’t stop. That person grabbed me from behind — not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind. I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force, but security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.”
Spears addressed the incident in an Instagram story Thursday afternoon, saying it was “super embarrassing to share with the world but its out there already.” She disputed Wembanyama’s account that she had grabbed him, saying she “simply tapped him on the shoulder” and that his security “backhanded me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.”
“I have yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or their organization,” Spears wrote. “I hope they will …”
Wembanyama will make his NBA summer league debut with the Spurs on Friday night in Las Vegas against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source:ESPN
