Jared Padalecki, best known for playing the righteous Sam Winchester on the hit show Supernatural, found himself on the wrong side of the law this weekend after an alleged drunken altercation at a bar in Austin, Texas.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at Stereotype, a popular lounge that Padalecki is rumored to frequent, and possibly even co-own, with his Supernatural co-star Jensen Ackles.
Eyewitnesses reported that the actor, appearing visibly intoxicated, got into a heated argument with a bartender, allegedly striking him in the face. Security intervened, escorting Padalecki outside, but the altercation didn’t end there.
TMZ obtained video footage of the incident, which shows Padalecki getting physical with a man on the sidewalk.
Sources say this was Padalecki’s friend, who was attempting to de-escalate the situation. The footage shows the two men in a standoff before Padalecki allegedly puts his friend in a headlock.
The situation escalated further when the bar’s general manager arrived, attempting to diffuse the situation. However, according to eyewitnesses, Padalecki allegedly struck the manager in the face as well.
Police arrived on the scene to find Padalecki in a highly agitated state. Before being restrained and taken into custody, the actor allegedly attempted to bribe the officers, flashing a wad of cash.
Padalecki was booked on two counts of assault and one count of public intoxication. His bond was set at $15,000 ($5,000 per charge).
This incident is particularly shocking given Padalecki's clean-cut image and his history of charitable work. Fans are left wondering what could have driven the actor to such behavior. Was it a case of one too many drinks, or is there something more troubling going on beneath the surface?
As of now, Padalecki’s representatives have not released a statement regarding the arrest.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what consequences the actor will face. One thing is for sure: this incident is a stark reminder that even those we perceive as heroes can falter.
