Sean 'Diddy' Combs was protecting himself and his son, rep says

ByRob Hayes and Laura Montenegro KABC logo
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was protecting himself and his son, rep says
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was protecting himself and his son during the incident at UCLA Monday that led to his arrest, according to the rap mogul's company.

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Sean "Diddy" Combs was protecting himself and his son during the incident at UCLA Monday that led to his arrest, according to the rap mogul's company.

"The various accounts of the event and charges that are being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we can say now is that any actions taken by Mr. Combs were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son," Combs Enterprises said in a statement.

Combs, 45, was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. at the Acosta Athletic Training Complex on the UCLA campus, where his son, 20-year-old Justin Combs, plays football, after allegedly assaulting a coach with a kettlebell weight.

He was booked on three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of making terrorist threats and one count of battery. Combs was taken to campus jail and was later transported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Reception Center. He posted $50,000 bail and is due back in court on July 13.

"We are confident that once the true facts are revealed, the case will be dismissed," Combs Enterprises said.

"I'm 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," UCLA football coach Jim Mora said in a statement.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, Justin Combs wrote: "I thank God for having a father that's always there for me.. Love you pops!"

Monday's incident wasn't Combs' first run-in with the law. Combs was acquitted of bribery and weapons-related charges in connection with a 1999 shooting at a New York nightclub. A jury cleared Combs of firing a weapon during the dispute that wounded three bystanders, as well as bribing his chauffeur to take the rap.

Combs was arrested in 1999 for his involvement in the beating of former Interscope executive Steve Stoute in New York. Combs apologized, the charges were reduced, and he was ordered to attend an anger management class.

Earlier this year, an Arizona man accused Combs of punching him in the face at a Super Bowl party. Combs was not arrested.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.