Georgia soul singer Sky Whatley has been charged after allegedly slapping a woman in the face during a live performance in an incident caught on video.
Whatley is accused of striking Shamika Boyd during the Legendary Awards Show & Concert at the Londzell Performing Arts Theatre in Tucker on Sept. 6.
The incident was captured on cellphone video and later spread widely across social media.
Boyd said she had attended the event to support her daughter, Jada Boyd, who was part of the concert lineup as a DJ.
According to a police report, Boyd said Whatley called her toward the stage and appeared to be reaching down for a high five.
Instead, she claims he suddenly pulled his hand back and slapped her across the face.
Boyd told investigators and local media that the blow left her with two black eyes and damaged dental work.
She said the composite material on one of her teeth came loose after the impact.
“When he hit me, I was devastated because I’m thinking, ‘Why did he hit me?’” Boyd said.
She added that she did not understand what could have provoked the alleged attack.
“He had no reason to hit me,” she said. “He was in no harm, no threat or anything.”
Video circulating online appears to show Whatley reaching down from the stage toward Boyd before striking her.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
The footage does not clearly show everything that happened immediately before or after the slap.
Boyd’s attorneys say the incident should have resulted in more serious charges.
Attorney Atiya Vereen argued that the injuries were significant enough to warrant more than a simple battery count.
“If I went out and slapped somebody and I blacked their eye and I chipped their tooth, I wouldn’t be charged with simple battery,” Vereen said.
DeKalb County authorities later issued a warrant charging Whatley with simple battery.
As of the latest reporting, he had not been arrested.
Boyd’s legal team is also considering civil action over the incident.
Her attorneys have questioned how the venue responded after the confrontation, saying Boyd was removed from the theater while Whatley was allowed to continue performing.
They are examining whether other parties could potentially share responsibility for what happened.
Whatley has not publicly responded to the allegations despite multiple media requests for comment.
The case remains under investigation.