Georgia soul singer Sky Whatley is accused of striking a woman during a live performance, leaving her with two black eyes as police pursue an arrest warrant in the alleged assault.
Whatley faces a simple battery charge over the onstage incident involving Shamika Boyd, which was captured on video at the Legendary Awards Show & Concert on Sept. 6, 11Alive reported.
Authorities issued a warrant for Whatley earlier this week, though the musician had not been arrested, according to the outlet.
Whatley, who has approximately 3,500 monthly Spotify listeners, was performing at the Londzell Performing Arts Theatre in Tucker, Georgia, when he allegedly slapped Boyd without provocation.
“When he hit me, I was devastated because I’m thinking, ‘Why did he hit me? He had no reason to hit me,’” Boyd told 11Alive in September.
Boyd attended the event to support her daughter, who was working as a DJ.
The alleged strike was forceful enough to dislodge composite material from one of Boyd’s teeth, and she suffered two black eyes, according to the outlet.
“That’s the part that I don’t understand when I did nothing to him,” Boyd said of the alleged unprovoked attack. “He was in no harm, no threat or anything.”
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Boyd also alleged that Whatley made a crude gesture toward her and cursed at her after the alleged slap.
“After he flipped me off, he was like, ‘Eff you B, this is for the real men,’” Boyd said.
Boyd reported the incident to police following the concert, but no action was taken in the alleged assault case until this week.
Her attorney, Shannin Render, criticized law enforcement for the delay despite video of the alleged attack.
“They’re just not doing their job,” Render told the outlet. “I’ve done this for about 10 years now, and when there’s an active warrant, you get picked up. Especially with something of such notoriety. Unfortunately, Ms. Boyd let me know that they’re deciding not to go forward and they’re going to let him turn himself in.”
Render said Boyd is considering legal action against Whatley and may seek compensation for medical care and possible lost income.
“It’s not appropriate for you to enter a venue for you to be assaulted and then have to carry the burden of your medical expenses, transportation fees, and the recovery process of not being able to work or things of that nature,” Render said.
“So, that’s where we come in to establish who was accountable and hold them accountable.”