Police: Chris Brown punched man at Las Vegas hotel

By Katie Visconti

Published Monday, May 4, 2015 | 1:25 p.m.

Updated Monday, May 4, 2015 | 6 p.m.

R&B singer Chris Brown faces a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly punching a man in Las Vegas last night, according to Metro Police.

An investigation by police found that a man was playing basketball at the Palms Casino Resort when an argument broke out between him and 25-year-old Brown. The argument led to a physical fight, police said, and Brown allegedly punched the victim. The victim was preparing to defend himself when he was hit by a man with Brown, police said.

Police made contact with the victim after responding to Sunrise Hospital early this morning to investigate a report of an adult male who had been beaten, according to Metro.

Brown has the option to sign off on a misdemeanor battery citation or will have his file referred to the Clark County District Attorney's Office to be prosecuted, according to Metro.

The victim was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries and released, police said.

Metro Police has not yet heard from Brown or his attorney.

The incident happened at the Palms, which features a basketball-themed luxury suite for $25,000 per night, officials said.

The 10,000-square-foot Hardwood Suite features an indoor basketball court, locker room with a gym shower, "NBA-sized" beds and 24-hour butler, according to the hotel.

A hotel spokesman deferred all other comment to police.

Brown headlined a party at a Drai's Nightclub Saturday night and was scheduled to celebrate his 26th birthday there Tuesday. He also attended the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

At his show, Brown reportedly commanded $100 and $200 cover charges with table reservations with bottle-service ranging in price from a $2,000 minimum for a small four-seater as far away from the stage as it can go, to at least $20,000 for a table in the middle of the action.

The full-length concert was also billed as the launch to Brown's new residency at Drai's atop the Cromwell Hotel. His next show in the series of concerts is scheduled for July 4, according to an announcement.

The troubled R&B singer was freed from probation for felony assault just six weeks ago. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to a brutal attack on his then-girlfriend, the singer Rihanna, hours before the Grammy Awards.

Brown's legal woes have since been in the spotlight.

His probation was revoked briefly, in January for performing in Northern California without permission and in 2013 for a fender bender filed as a hit-and-run case. He was also charged that same year with misdemeanor assault in Washington.

In February, Canadian immigration officials also refused to allow him into the country, forcing him to cancel two shows, and British officials blocked his entry in 2010 forcing the cancellation of four performances.

Associated Press reporter Sally Ho contributed to this report.