Video surfacing from Greenville, South Carolina shows Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend, flinging a bar stool and being physically restrained by other patrons during an altercation at a Wild Wing Cafe on Saturday night. An eyewitness told TMZ the fight began when five middle-aged adults at a nearby table heckled Hickerson and his brother Zach about Panettiere’s death. Greenville police responded to an alleged assault around 9:10 p.m. and located both brothers along with other patrons involved in the incident.
The aftermath has people talking. Brian was released without charges, while Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct after officers described him as highly intoxicated and yelling profanities. In a separate clip posted to X, Brian is seen handcuffed and sitting on the ground, shouting that Greenville police leaked information when his girlfriend died.
The altercation comes amid an ongoing investigation into Panettiere’s death on Aug. 16 at a Greenville Airbnb, where both brothers were present. Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly blamed Brian for her daughter’s death, citing his history of domestic violence arrests during their eight-year relationship. Zach has previously claimed Brian administered Narcan and that the brothers jointly performed CPR. With the family blame game and the legal fallout both still unfolding, this story is far from over.
What do you think: was the heckling out of bounds, or is the reaction what crossed the line? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.