Alleged Assault

Britney Spears Blasts Radio Show For Saying She “Deserved” Vegas Slap

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Last week, the music and basketball worlds collided in the most dramatic way. While dining at Catch, a restaurant at the ARIA Hotel in Las Vegas, Britney Spears attempted to get a picture with NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama. After approaching Wembanyama from behind, and addressing him in a British accent, Spears tapped the 7″4 foward/center on the back. Damian Smith, the San Antonio Spurs’ Director of Team Security, blindly batted Spears’ hand away, appearing to cause it to ricochet back into her face. As Wembanyama was ushered into the restaurant, Spears could be heard yelling “That’s America for you! Fuck you all!”

Spears’ team initially claimed that Smith had “backhanded” the pop star hard enough to knock her to the ground. They also filed a police report and demanded apologies from Wembanyama, Smith, and the Spurs. However, law enforcement declined to file charges, citing a lack of criminal intent and video evidence that showed Spears “hit herself in the face”. Regardless, Spears’ fans trolled Wembanyama on social media as the rookie struggled in his first Summer League game. However, Spears has now addressed external claims and comments about the incident.

Spears Hits Back At Media Comments

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Maria River Red (@britneyspears)

Speaking on her Instagram, Spears addressed comments she had “heard on a radio station” that stated she “deserved to get hit” and that “security were just doing their job.” Unsurprisingly, Spears took umbridge with this line of thinking. “I’ve been with the most famous people in the world. Girls would literally throw themselves at these guys. Once, I was knocked down by like, three 12-year-olds trying to get my picture. Not even one time did security touch them or even come near them. Point being is, I didn’t appreciate the people saying that I deserved it, because no woman ever deserves to be hit.

She continued. “I simply tapped him on the back and his [Smith’s] hand came back, hit me in the face, and knocked me to the floor. My best friend picked me up and hugged me.” She continued. “I did get an apology at my table thirty minutes later. But I am yet to receive a public apology.” The matter appears to be settled for everyone apart from Spears. While claiming she deserved to be slapped in an unconscionable position to hold, Spears continues to perpetuate misinformation about the event. All available evidence shows that she was not knocked down during the incident. Furthermore, nothing is gained by continually attempting to compare different security scenarios. Regardless, Spears is right in rebuking the idea that she “deserved” to be hit. However, that message is lessened when it is tied to an inaccurate retelling of the incident.

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No Charges Filed In Britney Spears Assault Case

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All eyes have been on Las Vegas in recent days after a security guard employed by the San Antonio Spurs allegedly slapped Britney Spears. According to Spears, she had approached NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama at the ARIA Hotel in order to try and get a picture with him. However, after tapping him on the shoulder, she was reportedly backhanded across the face by Damian Smith, the Spurs’ Director of Team Security. Additionally, a witness claimed to corroborate Spears’ story but also added that she was behaving somewhat erratically. According to Brian Grajales, Spears was speaking in a “British accent” while approaching Wembanyama. Furthermore, she screamed “This is fucking America” after Wembanyama was ushered inside.

Spears later filed a police report, which law enforcement was reportedly treating as a “criminal investigation.” Meanwhile, both Spears and Wembanyama made contrasting statements about the incident. Wembanyama claimed he had been grabbed from behind and only saw Smith push someone away. Furthermore, Wembanyama claimed that he had not been told it was Spears until several hours after the incident. However, Spears refuted most of his statement, saying she had only tapped him on the shoulder. Furthermore, Spears demanded apologies from Wembanyama, Smith, and the Spurs. However, at no point during the media frenzy was a video of the incident released to the public.

Assault Case Closed, Police Decline To Charge Smith

Britney Spears
US singer Britney Spears arrives for the premiere of Sony Pictures’ “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 22, 2019. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

It now appears that the saga has reached its conclusion. On July 7, approximately 36 hours after the incident occurred, law enforcement in Las Vegas announced that they would be closing the case. Furthermore, police confirmed that “no charges will be filed” in the matter. However, they also declined to provide any additional details about the investigation or why it had been closed without charges filed.

There are myriad reasons why the case has been resolved this way. It’s possible that an examination of the available evidence showed that charges were not warranted. In this hypothetical, video of the incident could have exonerated Smith. Alternatively, Spears or her team could have declined to press charges. Unfortunately, without any details from the police, we simply don’t know. Regardless, whatever the reason, it appears that the story has reached its conclusion. Wembanyama can now fully turn his attention to his Summer League debut. If all goes to plan, Wembanyama will face the Charlotte Hornets at 9pm ET.

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Britney Spears And Victor Wembanyama Address Alleged Vegas Slap

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On the evening of July 5, Britney Spears was allegedly slapped by a security guard traveling with NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama. Initial reports suggested that Spears had approached Wembanyama to get a photo with him, only to be struck by the Spurs Director of Security Damian Smith. Furthermore, Spears’ team later filed a police report, alleging battery. Per TMZ, the incident is being reviewed as a criminal matter. However, police sources appeared to indicate that Smith had not slapped Spears, but instead pushed her hand away from Wembanyama.

Additionally, TMZ spoke to a Canadian man named Brian Grajales who claimed to have witnessed the incident. Grajales primarily corroborated Spears’ account, saying she was slapped in the face after approaching Wembanyama from behind. However, Grajales also included some more unusual details. He claimed that Spears had been speaking in a “British accent” and screamed “This is fucking America” have the incident occurred. At the time of writing, no video footage of the incident has been released to the public.

Spears And Wembanyama Give Conflicting Statements

Spears and Wembanyama have since provided their own statements about what happened. Wembanyama claims that he was “grabbed from behind” by someone while waiting outside Catch, the Vegas restaurant where the incident occurred. “Something did happen, a little bit, when I was walking with some security from the team to some restaurant. We were in the hall. There was a lot of people, so people were calling [at] me, obviously. There was one person calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind. 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.” Wembanyama also claimed that he wasn’t told it was Spears until several hours later.

Spears, speaking on Instagram, refuted Wembanyama’s account. “I am aware the player’s statement where he mentions ‘I grabbed him from behind’ but I simply tapped him on the shoulder. His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of the crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.” Furthermore, Spears went on to demand an apology. “I also don’t appreciate nor do I thin this is a laughing matter. Watching the player smile and laugh was cruel and demoralizing with the situation that took place. I am 5’3 and he’s 7’4…” Spears’ account also contradicts previous reporting that claimed she was knocked to the ground and that she did receive an apology from Smith. However, this story will not be resolved until video footage of the incident is released. This a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop

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Witness Sheds New Light On Alleged Britney Spears Slap

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Earlier today (July 6), TMZ reported that on the evening of July 5, Britney Spears was allegedly slapped in the face by a security guard traveling with NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama. The incident reportedly occurred in Vegas at the Catch restaurant at the ARIA Hotel. Reportedly, Spears spotted Wembanyama, who is in Vegas for the NBA Summer League, and went over to get a picture. She allegedly tapped Wembanyama on the back only for the Spurs’ Director of Team Security to slap her across the face. TMZ alleges that the slap was hard enough to send Spears to the ground and knock her glasses off.

In an additional update, TMZ confirmed that law enforcement is treating the incident “as serious as a heart attack.” Furthermore, contrary to previous updates from the outlet, the case is being treated as a criminal investigation. While that does not guarantee criminal charges for Damian Smith, the alleged slapper, and the Spurs’ Director of Team Security. However, law enforcement also claims that video of the incident, which has not been made public, shows that Smith hit Spears in the hand, not the face.

Witness Provides New Details On Slap Incident

While no footage of the incident has been released, TMZ did share a blurry photo purporting to show Spears moments before she made contact with Wembanyama. Furthermore, the outlet also spoke with a Canadian man named Brian Grajales, who claims to have witnessed the incident firsthand. According to Grajales, Spears “infiltrated” Wembanyama’s inner circle and addressed Wembanyama in a “British accent” before touching his back. That’s when Smith reportedly hit Spears, with Grajales claiming that he saw him make contact with her face. However, he does not recall if she was knocked to the ground, as her team claims. Furthermore, Grajales claims that after Wembanyama was moved inside the restaurant, Spears loudly yelled “This is fucking America” in a British accent. Wembanyana was born and raised in France to a family of Congolese heritage.

The new details are very dramatic, but once again should be treated with caution. It’s one account from an unverified witness that corroborates Spears’ claim while also providing details that play into stereotypes that she is unstable. It’s an almost choreographed twist for a story of this nature. Furthermore, we are still yet to see any actual footage of the incident directly. This is despite TMZ claiming multiple times that such footage does exist. Until the footage emerges, it’s going to be hard to say conclusively what actually happened. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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Britney Spears Allegedly Assaulted By Victor Wembanyama’s Security Guard

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According to a report from TMZ, Britney Spears was slapped in the face by a member of Victor Wembanyama’s security team on Wednesday night. The incident reportedly occurred in Vegas at the Catch restaurant at the ARIA Hotel. Reportedly, Spears spotted Wembanyama, who is in Vegas for the NBA Summer League, and went over to get a picture. She allegedly tapped Wembanyama on the back only for the Spurs’ Director of Team Security to slap her across the face. TMZ alleges that the slap was hard enough to send Spears to the ground and knock her glasses off.

Furthermore, Spears allegedly quickly recovered and went inside the restaurant with her husband and entourage. Reportedly, the security guard came over to apologize and allegedly explained that “you understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans.” Spears reportedly accepted his apology. However, TMZ also alleges that Spears’ team subsequently filed a police report, alleging battery on the part of the Spurs employee. The San Antonio Spurs are yet to make a statement about the alleged incident.

Spears Reportedly Assaulted In Vegas

Britney Spears
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Britney Spears attends Sony Pictures’ “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” Los Angeles Premiere on July 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

At the time of writing, none of the parties involved in the alleged incident have released an official statement. The only source is whoever spoke to TMZ. Furthermore, no video evidence of the assault has been released at the time of writing. Similar to Chris Brown’s alleged assault of Usher earlier this year, this is somewhat unusual. Las Vegas is one of the most heavily surveilled cities in the world. Furthermore, this alleged incident occurred in a very public place between two big-name celebrities who were being “swarmed” by fans. That’s not to say this didn’t happen. However, this is a developing story and caution must be exercised.

As things stand, it’s unclear whether this will impact the NBA Summer League, the reason that Wembanyama is in Vegas. The tournament begins on July 7, and is expected to be Wembanyama’s formal debut in a Spurs uniform. If the tournament proceeds unaffected by this alleged incident, Wembanyama will face the Hornets on opening night. However, if this alleged incident does become something bigger, Wembanyama’s Summer League plans may be disrupted given how close he was to the incident. Regardless of its impact on basketball, we sincerely hope that all parties involved are okay. However, once again, this is a developing story. We’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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