Mike Epps Arrested for Hitting Gambler

7 years ago
Epps Arrested for Hitting Gambler
17:59
23 Feb

(Photo: People.com)

The comedian and actorMike Epps was arrested in New Orleans at the weekend and charged with battery after being recorded punching a gambler three times in Harrah’s Casino.

The 46-year old, best known for his roles in ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Next Friday’, has apparently been caught assaulting the unidentified man on surveillance video, and also failed to appear for his arraignment Tuesday morning, with an attachment for his arrest issued later in the day with bond set at $2,500.

The unsavoury incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when a tourist in town for the NBA All-Star Game approached Epps on his way to the cash-out area of the casino, claiming:

"We kind of met right there in the middle and I recognized him… and said 'Oh, Mike Epps!' The next thing I know, he started hitting me in the face, unprovoked. I had a handful of chips, so I just basically bent down to protect myself, and then my friends ran over and got in front of me, and then security got there."



Epps was arrested the following day after security let him and alleged fellow accomplice in the assault, 52-year-old Thomas Cobb of Brooklyn, leave the casino. Police failed to attend the casino for several hours, claiming:

"The victim was no longer in danger, the suspects were no longer on the scene, and the high number of simultaneous calls for service."

Security video of the incident has not been released by the NOPD, but their report reads:

"Surveillance footage shows the lead-up to the 5 a.m. brawl, with the Virginia man putting his hand on Epps and Epps pushing the man's hand down 'as if he was saying not to touch him'."

The report then states that the video shows the victim stepping closer to Epps and the two exchanging words. Following Epps' strikes, Cobb rushes over to punch the Virginia visitor five times after pinning him between two roulette tables. According to police, a bystander then grabs Cobb's left arm to stop him from continuing to punch the victim.



Epps had performed at a comedy festival at the UNO Lakefront Arena on Friday night, with New Orleans swarming with visitors for Carnival parades and the NBA All-Star Game.


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Andrew from Edinburgh, Scotland, is a professional journalist, international-titled chess master, and avid poker player.Read more

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