Attorney for comedian Katt Williams responded Thursday to an allegation that Williams punched and wrestled a teen down to the ground in Gainesville.
Buckhead attorney Drew Findling said Williams, who was in Gainesville playing soccer and handing out money to local children, was clearly targeted and provoked.
The incident was captured in video that has gone viral since its believed filming Tuesday in the Melrose Place housing projects.
“You see Katt Williams sit down and just say like, ‘leave me alone,’” Findling said. “And you hear this kid just trying to bring it on.”
Williams, who's out on bond for several other assault related charges, can be seen punching the teen in the video.
The video shows 17-year-old Luke Walsh lunging toward Williams. Then the two tussle, falling to the ground before the boy put the comedian in a choke hold while rolling in the grass.
The video caught the attention of Gainesville police. Williams and the teen "are currently under investigation," Gainesville police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Holbrook said Thursday.
But Findling doubts police will pursue charges once they consider the full scenario, he said.
“When you have somebody that’s clearly targeted, and somebody’s in their face and pushing them and pushing them, no one can put their self in that scenario,” Findling said.
Police have been interviewing witnesses and trying to make sure the video they received wasn’t edited to distort the images.
