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Chris Brown arrested for felony battery in Florida

Chris Brown's mug shot. The Associated Press

Singer Chris Brown walked off stage after his concert in Florida and into the hands of waiting sheriff’s deputies, who arrested him on a felony battery charge and booked him into the Palm Beach County Jail on Thursday night.

A sheriff’s spokeswoman said the Say Goodbye singer was released after posting $2,000 bond on the battery charge issued by the Tampa Police Department.

The 29-year-old singer was booked at 11:00 p.m. local time and was released just before midnight, according to records.

READ MORE: Snapchat apologizes for Rihanna and Chris Brown ad making light of domestic abuse

The warrant was for felony battery and was issued in April 2017 by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

During that time, Tampa police reported that the Loyal singer “sucker punched” a photographer who was working at a private event hosted by Brown.

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The alleged victim, 29-year-old Bennie L. Vines, claimed that Brown punched him while Vines was taking crowd shots of the club.

WATCH BELOW: Chris Brown allegedly punches photographer in Tampa nightclub

Click to play video: 'Chris Brown allegedly punches photographer in Tampa nightclub'
Chris Brown allegedly punches photographer in Tampa nightclub

Footage of the incident was posted to TMZ. They also posted two pictures of lip injuries the alleged victim claimed he sustained in the incident.

Robert Soloman, one of the owners of the club, added that Brown was only there for about “three to five minutes,” even though he was paid to be there for an hour.

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READ MORE: Chris Brown opens up about the night he assaulted Rihanna

Following reports of the incident, the Tampa Police Department issued a tweet containing the incident report and indicated that Brown was under active investigation.

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The incident report stated: “During an after-party event, Chris Brown and his crew came into the club for a ‘showing’ for which he was paid. Bennie Vines is a photographer for Club Aja [sic]. As he was taking photos, Vines reported Chris Brown ‘sucker punched’ him for allegedly taking photos. By the time officers were contacted and arrived, Brown left the scene. The victim, Vines, wishes to prosecute for a minor laceration to his lip. Medical attention was refused. Investigation continues.”

READ MORE: Chris Brown’s lawyer says police found no guns or drugs at star’s home

Brown has a history of violent offences. In August 2016, he was investigated for assault with a deadly weapon after his manager Michael Guirguis filed a lawsuit against the singer for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith.

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WATCH BELOW: The latest on Chris Brown

In 2014, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanour assault after punching a fan who tried to get into a shot with him and two women. And in 2009, he was famously arrested after assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. He was sentenced to five years’ probation and six months of community service for the crime.

In April 2017, it was reported that Brown and rapper Lil Wayne were both tied to a federal drug investigation that reportedly involved thousands of dollars worth of narcotics.

READ MORE: Chris Brown’s alleged victim, Baylee Curran, speaks out after his arrest

Brown is currently in the middle of his Heartbreak On A Full Moon Tour.

Early Friday morning the singer took to Instagram, sharing a shirtless photo just before 2 a.m. of himself on stage. “What’s NEW???” he wrote in the caption, with an eye-roll emoji. “Show tomorrow!!!!”

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—With files from The Associated Press

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