No charges will be filed after Britney Spears said she was hit in the face by a member of NBA player Victor Wembanyama’s security team in Las Vegas this week.
In a July 7 update from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department obtained by NBC News, it said it had concluded its investigation of the alleged battery.
“The LVMPD has concluded its investigation of the alleged battery that occurred on July 5, 2023, at 11 p.m., in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard,” the update reads. “No charges will be filed against the person involved.”
A police report written on July 5 says LVMPD detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the incident that showed the moment Spears went to tap the San Antonio Spurs player on the shoulder.
The report withholds the name of the security member accused of striking the singer.
“When she touched the player (the security member) pushes her hand off of the player without looking which causes Britney’s hand to hit herself in the face,” the report reads in part.
The report's conclusion states, "Due to the fact that (the security member) DID NOT willfully or unlawfully use any force or violence upon Britney and probable cause did not exist an Arrest was not made and a Citation was not given.”
Spears had said the incident occurred when she attempted to greet the player at a restaurant.
In a message shared on social media on July 6, Spears said the "traumatic" incident took place the previous evening. She wrote that she approached Wembanyama, whom she did not name in her post, and tapped him on the shoulder.
"I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success. It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention," she said in her message. "I am aware of the players 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 a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face."
Spears went on to say that she is often "swarmed" by fans but her security team does not react by hitting them.
"In fact, that night, I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security team didn’t hit any of them," she wrote.
She added the the story is "super embarrassing to share with the world" but since it was already being reported on by media outlets, she decided to comment.
"I think it’s important to share this story and to urge people in the public eye to set an example and treat all people with respect," she concluded. "Physical violence is happening too much in this world. Often behind closed doors. I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!!"
She added that she has "yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or their organization" but hopes she will.
Las Vegas police confirmed to NBC News on July 6 that officers responded to a property in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard for a battery investigation, and that no arrest or citations had been issued.
Wembanyama spoke to an ESPN reporter about the incident.
"Something did happen, a little bit," he said, adding that he was in a crowded hallway while walking to a restaurant and couldn't stop without creating a crowd. "There was one person calling me ... and that person grabbed me from behind. I didn't see what happened ... and I just know the security pushed her away. I don't know with how much force though."
In a post shared to his Instagram story, Spears' husband, Sam Asghari, wrote that he is "opposed to violence in any form especially without justification in the defense of yourself or someone else who is unable to defend themselves."
"Self-defense can be unavoidable, but the defense of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable," he wrote. "I consider my reaction subdued considering what occurred, and I hope the man in question learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women."
Representatives for Spears and Catch, the restaurant where the incident reportedly took place, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News. MGM Resorts, the owner of the Aria hotel, where Catch is located, declined comment.
