Britney Spears: No charges for security guard

July 8: Britney Spears accidentally hit herself in the face as she was blocked by security while approaching a basketball star, Las Vegas police say. Victor Wembanyama's guard, who the pop star alleged struck her during Wednesday's encounter, will not face charges, police said in a statement.

Spears said she was "backhanded in the face" by the man, calling the incident a "traumatic experience". A video posted online appears to confirm a police report posted by local media.

A copy of the police report summarising their investigation, obtained by the BBC, says "Detectives and I were able to review surveillance footage of the event which showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder. When she touched the player [the security guard] pushes her hand off the player without looking which causes Britney's hand to hit herself in the face."

Las Vegas police also confirmed they had concluded their investigation into the alleged battery at the Aria Hotel.

A video shared by TMZ shows a man blocking Spears as she reaches out to tap Wembanyama on the shoulder as he walks through a casino complex. Spears recoils, as she appears to hit herself. Wembanyama has said he "didn't see what happened", but that someone was pushed.

The 19-year-old NBA top draft pick was in Las Vegas ahead of his first Summer League game when he visited a restaurant at the Aria, on South Las Vegas Boulevard, where Spears said she spotted him.

"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.

Spears alleged that a security guard protecting Wembanyama struck her in the face with the back of his hand, causing her glasses to fall off as she nearly fell to the ground. The singer said she had seen Wembanyama's account of the incident, which prompted her to share her own.

"I couldn't stop. That person was calling me, 'Sir, sir,' and that person grabbed me from behind", the French sports star told a local news reporter, "I didn't see what happened because I was walking straight and didn't stop. That person grabbed me from behind - not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind." He added: "I just know the security pushed her away. I don't know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn't stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner."

Spears said she wanted "to urge people in the public eye to set an example" and thanked the Las Vegas Police Department for its support.

(BBC)