A criminal investigation has been launched against Damian Smith, the director of security for Victor Wembanyama after popstar Britney Spears alleged that he allegedly assaulted Wednesday night in Vegas when Spear wanted to take a photo with the NBA star.
TMZ confirmed citing a Metropolitan Police Department source that the incident is being treated “as serious as a heart attack” and that the case will “likely” be referred to the district attorney. However, it does not mean criminal charges will be filed against Smith.
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Did Britney Spears slap herself?
Although the allegation brought up against Smith is that he backhanded the singer in the face, at Catch restaurant in the ARIA Hotel around 8:30 p.m. Spears and her husband, Sam Asghari, were accompanied by two others when they went to the restaurant for dinner.
The initial account of the incident, as reported, was that Spears spotted Wembanyama at the restaurant and went over to him to ask if they could take a photo together as she was a fan. She tapped the player on his back, and that is when Smith, the Director of Team Security for the San Antonio Spurs instantly backhanded her. The force of the slap caused her to fall to the ground, knocking her glasses off.
She somehow managed to compose herself and go back to her tableSmith even came over and apologized to Spears, informing her that he had no idea it was her when he allegedly assaulted her. “You understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans,” he said. Spears even reportedly forgave Smith publicly but then proceeded to file a police report.
Spears has alleged battery. It was later reported that the police who responded to the scene after the report was filed reviewed security camera footage which allegedly showed Smith push Spears’ hand away. Then her own hand, and not Smith’s, struck her face. It was not clear what the velocity of the force of the swing was.
Brian Grajales, a Canadian who was outside Catch restaurant and bore witness to the incident told TMZ that Spears’sunglasses did fly off but he did not recall if she fell. Spears also reportedly screamed “This is f**king America!!!” after she was allegedly assaulted.
Vegas police officers are due to meet Spears face-to-face in the morning to discuss the incident.
