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The Wire actor Wendell Pierce arrested for allegedly assaulting Bernie Sanders supporter

Pierce has been a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton

Olivia Blair
Monday 16 May 2016 12:30 BST
Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce (Getty)

The actor Wendell Pierce has been arrested following an alleged altercation with two Bernie Sanders supporters in a dispute over US Democrat politics.

The Wire star was arrested at a hotel he was staying at in Atlanta, Georgia in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was arrested on a charge of battery and released that day on a $1,000 bond. A police spokesperson said the incident was not significant and was treated as “any other arrest”.

TMZ reports the 52-year-old became “enraged” after an apparent heated political debate with a man and woman who were Bernie Sanders supporters. Pierce is a supporter of Sanders’ rival and Democrat frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

The Daily Beast report the altercation was between Pierce and a man and the woman stepped in.

Pierce played Detective Bunk Moreland in the hit show The Wire. He has also had starring roles in Treme, Suits and The Odd Couple. His film credits include the Ava DuVernay 2014 film Selma as well as appearances in Twilight and Ray.

A representative for Pierce has been contacted for comment.

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