Bradley Beal under police investigation after altercation with fan in Orlando
The Orlando Police Department plans to charge Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal with one count of simple battery stemming from an incident in which Beal allegedly knocked a hat off – and made contact with – a fan’s head after a Wizards-Orlando Magic game at Amway Arena on March 1.
According to the Orlando Police Department’s case report of the incident, the fan, whose name is redacted, “desires prosecution. Probable cause exists to charge Beal with Simple Battery, charges will be filed at large with the State Attorney’s Office.”
No charges were filed as of Tuesday morning.
After the Magic beat the Wizards 122-112, fans gathered near the tunnel where the Wizards exit the court, according to the case report.
“While greeting the players (redacted)’s friend made a remark to Washington Wizards player Bradley Beal, stating something alone the lines of, ‘You made me lost $1,300 you (expletive),'” the case report stated. “Immediately after the comment was made, (redacted) stated Beal approached him and with his right hand, swatted his hat off his head. In doing so, Beal made contact with the left side of his head, hitting him. (Redacted) did not give Beal permission to touch or strike him.”
An Orlando police officer who took the report also observed video evidence. A verbal argument ensued with Beal telling the fan that this is his job and he takes it seriously, and “(redacted) is heard apologizing, implying he did not intend to offend him,” according to the police offer who watched the video.
Orlando Police contacted the Wizards’ head of security, and Beal had not provided a statement at the time of the report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wizards’ Bradley Beal investigated after fan altercation
Source: Yahoo Sports
