‘The Wire’ Actor Wendell Pierce Arrested in Atlanta

Actor reportedly arrested after argument with Bernie Sanders supporter

PASADENA, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Actor Wendell Pierce attends the 46th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 6, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
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“The Wire” star Wendell Pierce was arrested over the weekend in Atlanta, TheWrap has confirmed.

“Mr. Wendell Pierce was arrested early Saturday morning at Atlanta Loews Hotel, where he was a guest,” an Atlanta Police Department spokesperson told TheWrap in a statement.

“The incident did not rise to anything significant so no special notification was made … it was treated like any other arrest a patrol officer conducts,” the statement continued. “Mr. Pierce made no indication he was famous nor did the officer inquire. Once the incident report is complete we will be delighted to share the details. But at this time there is nothing significant to share with the media.”

The statement makes no mention of why Pierce, who played Det. “Bunk” Moreland on the HBO series, was arrested, but reports indicate it was the result of an assault over political differences.

According to TMZ, Pierce got into an argument with a couple in the lobby of the Loews Hotel after the woman declared her support for Bernie Sanders. Pierce, a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, reportedly became enraged, pushed the boyfriend, and smacked the woman in the head.

Representatives for Pierce did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Most recently, Pierce played Clarence Thomas in the HBO original movie “Confirmation” opposite Kerry Washington as Anita Hill. He also appeared  in the critically acclaimed film “Selma” and multiple episodes of CBS sitcom “The Odd Couple.”

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