Katt Williams: Comedian charged over fight with 17 year old boy
Video footage of the fight went viral last week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Entertainer Katt Williams and a teenager have each been charged with disorderly conduct after fighting each other at an apartment complex, police in metro Atlanta said Monday.
Williams, 44, and Luke Wash, 17, were both charged in connection with the fight last week, Gainesville Police Sgt. Kevin Holbrook said Monday. He added that Wash is also charged as an adult in the case.
A police report wasn't filed, but video footage and witness statements led authorities to press charges, according to Holbrook.
“It's my understanding that Wash is in custody at the jail and we have made contact with Williams' attorney and it is our hopes and our understanding that he will be turning himself in,” Holbrook said.
Attorney Drew Findling said Williams had been doing community service and playing soccer with children at a subsidized housing complex in Gainesville, northeast of Atlanta, when the fight happened.
One version of a video of the encounter shows Williams being followed by the teen and later confronted while he sat on the ground with his back against a brick wall. The two exchanged words while they were surrounded by others just before the fight, the footage showed, with the teen eventually wrestling Williams to the ground.
Police said it was unclear exactly what the two had been arguing over.
“It's a shame because from all accounts from the people we interviewed, his behavior was exemplary the whole day,” Findling said.
The incident is the latest in a string of legal troubles for the comedian in Georgia.
Williams was charged with making terroristic threats, false imprisonment, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana after he threatened a bodyguard's life in early March, authorities have said. Officials have said Williams made a threat Feb. 28 while an acquaintance beat the bodyguard with a baseball bat and choked him.
In another incident, Williams also was charged with battery on Feb. 29 after a fight at a pool supply store in Gainesville, authorities have said.
“At the time of these new charges he was actually out on a conditional bond and subsequently he has an arrest order from superior court revoking his bond,” Holbrook said.
Williams will handle the matter in an orderly and professional way, Findling said.
It's unclear if Wash has an attorney.
Associated Press.