Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
We Explain L.A.
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:

KPCC Logo

Live Stream Schedule In Person

Keep up with LAist

Our top stories delivered weeknights
Donate

Share This
Arts and Entertainment

Chris Brown Allegedly 'Jumped,' Punched Frank Ocean Over Parking Space [UPDATED]

By  Jen Chung
Published Jan 28, 2013 12:00 AM
2013_01_brownocean.jpg
Chris Brown; Frank Ocean (Getty Images)
LAist relies on your reader support.
Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all.

The authorities are investigating whether R&B singer Chris Brown "assaulted an unnamed victim" in West Hollywood last night—and that victim is apparently singer-songwriter Frank Ocean. Ocean Tweeted last night, "got jumped by chris and a couple guys. lol. i only wish everest was there." [Everest is Ocean's dog.]

According to the LA Sheriff's Department, deputies arrived at the 7200 block of Santa Monica Boulevard after receiving a call about "six males fighting... Upon their arrival, deputies talked to witnesses who stated that Chris Brown and the victim were involved in an altercation over a parking space. The altercation allegedly led to Chris Brown punching the victim. "

However, TMZ spoke to a source connected with Brown—and a different story emerges:

Chris was at Westlake Studio in the L.A. area listening to one of the artists he represents. The sources say as Chris went to leave, Frank Ocean and his crew blocked Chris from leaving. The sources say Frank said, "This is my studio, this is my parking spot." We're told Chris went to shake Frank's hand ... and that's when one of Frank's people attacked Chris. Sources connected with Chris say one of Chris' friends jumped in front and hit Frank's friend.

Sources connected with Chris say Frank then came at Chris ... Chris pushed him away and they started brawling.

The LASD says that Brown and his entourage left before the police got there, "The investigation is on-going and investigators will contact Chris Brown at a later time." As TMZ put it, the police "refer to Ocean as "the victim" because he's the one who stuck around and spoke with" them.Ocean also Tweeted about his injuries:
Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor

Brown assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna before the Grammys in 2009. He also got into a brawl with Drake at a nightclub in New York City last summer. More recently, he's been the victim of "swatting."

UPDATE, 4:25 P.M.: The L.A. Times reports that Ocean wants to press charges against Brown. "Chris Brown is a named suspect in a battery report," Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told the Times. "The victim is desirous of prosecution."

Brown is currently on probation for his 2009 assault.