Alleged Diddy assault video: Los Angeles DA responds

(NewsNation) — The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office on Friday responded to the release of hotel surveillance video from 2016 that appears to show Sean “Diddy” Combs violently attacking, kicking and shoving his former partner Cassie Ventura.

The office of Los Angeles DA George Gascon posted on social media, saying they “are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles.”

“We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the DA’s office continued.

Despite finding the video “disturbing,” the DA’s office stressed that they would be unable to charge Diddy in the incident because it “occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”

“If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge,” the DA’s office said.

Gascon’s office said “law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs.” but also encouraged anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to their office.

Former Diddy partner Cassie Ventura had filed a federal lawsuit against the music producer last year.

The footage obtained by CNN was released Friday and matches the description of a physical altercation Ventura detailed in her now-settled lawsuit against Combs. 

In the video, Combs is seen running in a towel after Ventura who is seen standing in front of an elevator bank. He aggressively grabs and drags her down and then kicks her before picking up her luggage. He is then seen dragging her on the floor back to a hotel room as she braces her head.

If you or someone you know is a victim of intimate partner violence and needs help, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.