'Scandal' Cast 2014 News: Columbus Short Arrested, Charged With Felony After Allegedly Punching Man in Bar

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, March 27, 2014

Actor Columbus Short, one of the stars of the film 'Cadillac Records',attends the film's premiere in Hollywood, California November 24, 2008. The film chronicles the rise of Chess Records, which was based in Chicago, and its recording artists. — Actor Columbus Short, one of the stars of the film "Cadillac Records",attends the film's premiere in Hollywood, California November 24, 2008. The film chronicles the rise of Chess Records, which was based in Chicago, and its recording artists. | (Photo: Reuters/Fred Prouser)

"Scandal" star Columbus Short was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of felony battery with serious bodily injury after an alleged bar fight on March 15. Short turned himself into the Claremont Police Department and was released after posting $50,000 bail.

Short allegedly punched a man during an engagement party at Gabe's Bar and Grill in Los Angeles. He reacted to a joke made about his wife and struck the man, who was then taken to a hospital via ambulance. He could be sentenced to up to four years in prison if convicted on the felony charge.

"It happened out in the back, in the parking lot, so no one who works here saw anything," a spokeswoman from Gabe's Bar and Grill told E! News.

It's not the first time that Short's temper has gotten the better of him. On Feb. 14, he was charged with misdemeanor spousal battery. A judge ordered him to stay away from his wife, Tanee Short, at a March 5 court hearing. The two were reportedly going to divorce but have decided to stay together for the time being.

Before that, he was charged with felony battery in 2010 and pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace and placed on three years of informal probation.

This new charge could go against his probation, which would lead to a harsher sentence.

Short currently stars in the ABC hit series "Scandal" with Kerry Washington. He plays her right-hand man, Harrison Wright. Before that he appeared on "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and in films such as "Death at a Funeral" and "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming."

So far, Short is remaining quiet about the ordeal, and his representatives are not issuing any statements about their client's involvement in the crime. It seems that fans are standing by Short and reaching out on Twitter to offer their support.

"#Gladiators please keep @ColumbusShort1 N family in your prayers at this difficult time in his life. Praying 4 his well being … #Scandal," ScandalGladiator tweeted.