MUMBAI: Soon after noon on Monday, 22 June, American rapper Sean Combs, popularly known as P. Diddy, was arrested at the Acosta Athletic Training Complex at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, which was revealed to be a kettlebell. Diddy was expected to be transported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center later that evening.
The incident, according to online reports, began early Monday morning when Diddy’s son, Justin Combs, was participating in an off-season workout on UCLA’s field. Sources also stated that Combs had missed his recent workouts and was not giving a great effort that day, so UCLA strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi kicked him out of the session.
At approximately noon, Combs and Diddy went to the Acosta Centre, while Alosi was in his office, which is situated close to the centre. Combs entered Alosi’s office while Alosi was on the phone, and Alosi asked Combs to wait a moment while he finished the call. Sources present in the locker room claim to have witnessed an enraged Diddy enter Alosi’s office, speaking abusively with the coach.
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Alosi then instructed his interns to alert campus security, while an enraged Diddy went around Alosi’s desk. According to witnesses’ allegations, Alosi then put up his hand in a non-threatening way, and instructed Combs to take his father out of the office; after which Diddy told the coach not to put his hands on him.
Immediately after, Diddy attacked Alosi, until interns and others pulled Diddy off, claimed various eye witnesses. The rapper broke free again at one point and struck Alosi. Other people were then successful in taking Diddy out of the office and into the weight room, where the rapper picked up a kettlebell, and swung it at an intern.
No one was seriously injured and the University of California Police Department (UCPD) is investigating.
In a statement issued by the UCLA, football coach Jim Mora said, “I am thankful that our staff showed the level of professionalism that they did in handling this situation. This is an unfortunate incident for all parties involved. While UCPD continues to review this matter, we will let the legal process run its course and refrain from further comment at this time.”
The UCPD has updated the charges to three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of making terrorist threats and one count of battery. Diddy has been booked into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center.
