Funnyman Hannibal Buress Goes Free In Miami

MIAMI, FL —The Miami police officer who arrested funnyman Hannibal Buress probably should have just heckled him instead. Miami-Dade County prosecutors have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute the 34-year-old Chicago native for disorderly intoxication despite his "bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage." Buress was arrested on Dec. 9 after demanding that a Miami police officer call him an Uber.

Known for movies like "Neighbors," "The Secret Life of Pets" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming," the incident took place at NW 2nd Avenue and NW 20th Terrace during a Miami Art Week party.

While Buress appeared to be intoxicated based on his "demeanor, speech, and outlandish comments to the officer," there was simply not enough evidence to prove he posed a danger or public disturbance, according to prosecutors.

"The crowd that formed does not establish a public disturbance," prosecutors acknowledged in court documents obtained by Patch. "The crowd that gathered was not creating a riot, but instead standing nearby and recording the incident on their camera phones."

Prosecutors also said that Buress only became aggressive when he refused to get into the back of the police cruiser and was pulled into the vehicle.

"The crowd was already on scene and recording when this occurred," according to prosecutors. "There is no evidence that this aggressive behavior nor the use of profanity drew these individuals to the scene. It is important to note that the defendant is a famous comedian, whose celebrity status could have drawn the crowd."

According to the arrest report, Buress became angry and belligerent when the officer refused to call him an Uber.

"I asked the defendant to leave the premises and the defendant instead walked inside the venue located on 2000 NW 2nd Avenue," the Miami policeman said in court documents.

The officer then followed Buress back into the venue.

"I then walked inside the venue and told the defendant he had to leave due to him being highly intoxicated," the officer explained. "Once outside, the defendant stood by the front gate and continued yelling profanities."

The officer said he asked Buress five more times to leave.

"A crowd began to gather and vehicular traffic slowed as they watched the defendant yelling and being disorderly," according to the officer's account.

Buress' exchange with police was captured on social media and a number of people poked fun at the incident under #FreeHannibalBuress.

Hannibal Buress performs onstage at the International Myeloma Foundation 11th Annual Comedy Celebration in Los Angeles. (Photo by Brandon Williams/Getty Images for International Myeloma Foundation).