Djimon Hounsou’s former partner, Riza Simpson, was arrested last week after allegedly assaulting the Gladiator actor.
According to police records, the acclaimed actor contacted authorities after an alleged altercation inside his Atlanta townhouse in early December. Hounsou told officers that the disagreement began when he asked Simpson to move out of the home. He claims the situation escalated quickly and that Simpson struck him in the face with a closed fist.
The two share two children together, who were reportedly in the house at the time. Police noted that the children were upstairs and did not witness the incident directly, though officers documented that they may have heard what was happening below. The presence of children during the alleged incident has added another layer of concern for many following the case.
Weeks later, on January 16, Atlanta police returned to the same residence with an arrest warrant for Simpson. Officers wrote that they observed someone inside the home closing blinds before initially being told by Simpson, over the phone, that she was not there and was instead on her way. When officers indicated they would enter the residence, Simpson reportedly opened the door.
She was arrested on misdemeanor charges of simple assault under domestic violence statutes, as well as obstruction for allegedly providing false information to police. Officers also noted hearing children crying in the background when they first knocked.
Simpson was booked at the Atlanta City Detention Center, where records list the incident as a first offense. She was later released on a $500 bond and subsequently transferred to the Fulton County Jail due to an outstanding warrant in the case.
News of the arrest has drawn widespread attention, in part because of Hounsou’s high-profile career and his long-standing public image as a private, low-drama figure. The Oscar-nominated actor is also the father of a 16-year-old son with Kimora Lee Simmons, with whom he has previously spoken about the importance of fatherhood and stability.
As the legal process unfolds, the situation remains unresolved. What is clear, however, is that the case has sparked intense discussion online about domestic violence and gender assumptions.
