‘The Wire’ actor disputes accounts of confrontation with Sanders supporter

Actor Wendell Pierce took to Twitter early Tuesday to dispute reports of his confrontation with a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

In three tweets, Pierce, known for playing Detective William “Bunk” Moreland on HBO’s “The Wire,” expressed regret for the incident at an Atlanta hotel on Saturday night but said reports surrounding it are inaccurate. 

{mosads}Pierce, who is a known supporter of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, wrote in one of the tweets that he regrets “what started as a civil political discussion escalated.” 

I regret that what started as a civil political discussion escalated to the level that it did. (1/3)

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) May 17, 2016

He also said reports differ from what actually occurred, adding that he’s has confidence in the judicial system.

Although what has been reported thus far differs in important respects from what actually occurred, (2/3)

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) May 17, 2016

I have confidence that the judicial process will work as it should. (3/3)

Wendell Pierce

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) May 17, 2016

{mosads}According to an incident report by the Atlanta Police Department, a female Sanders supporter told officers she was sitting with her friends in the hallway of a hotel when Pierce exited an elevator with his girlfriend. The woman said the two groups got into a political conversation, and Pierce tried to follow her into her hotel room. The report states the woman told officers her friends tried to keep Pierce out, but Pierce grabbed her hoodie and hit her. 

Pierce, however, told the police that the woman and her friends tried to pull him into the room. He said he followed them into the room but was trying to get away. 

Police arrived on the scene and arrested Pierce. He was charged with simple battery, according to The New York Times, and was released on $1,000 bail.