Grammy-award-winning artiste Chris Brown was taken into custody on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. The 36-year-old singer was placed in handcuffs at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester early Thursday. This came several hours after he arrived on a private jet at Manchester Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Metropolitan Police confirmed that they detained the superstar after 2 a.m. in connection with an assault that occurred two years ago, Mirror reported. According to reports, detectives say the arrest stems from an incident that allegedly involved Chris Brown attacking a music producer at Tape London nightclub in Hanover Square on February 19, 2023.
Music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw filed suit last October, accusing Brown of striking him over the head with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila and then “ruthlessly” stomping on his neck. Diaw alleges he lost consciousness for about 30 seconds and suffered head lacerations, torn leg ligaments, and “permanent emotional distress” before being rushed to a nearby hospital, in addition to his physical injuries. Diaw claimed he “suffered serious and permanent emotional distress and trauma”.
When police caught wind of Chris Brown’s arrival, officers swiftly took action. Metropolitan Police released a statement, informing that the controversial singer remains in custody and that they continue to probe the incident, with Central West Area Basic Command Unit detectives leading the investigation.
Chris Brown’s camp has not yet commented on the arrest or the allegations. The arrest comes weeks before the European leg of his Breezy Bowl XX Tour, which celebrates twenty years in the music industry. He’s slated to perform four nights in Manchester: June 15, 16, and 24, and lastly, July 3. He also has shows in Cardiff, London, and Birmingham, with Bryson Tiller as his supporting act. In North America, Summer Walker will open his shows.
When announcing the tour in March, Brown took to social media to tell fans, “I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ALL Y’ALL’S BEAUTIFUL FACES. IMA TAKE Y’ALL THROUGH THESE ERAS BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY GIVE Y’ALL MY HEART AND SOUL.”
Questions now arise over how the legal proceedings will affect his upcoming performances.