A member of the Backstreet Boys appears to say a homophobic slur in an encounter with a beachgoer in a just-released video.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Brian Littrell, a member of the iconic boy band, called 911 on March 22 to report an incident involving beachgoer Kyle Gallagher. Littrell attempted to use his own video of the encounter to press charges against Gallagher.
The Member of the Backstreet Boys Said the Beachgoer "Struck" Him
Prosecutors declined the case after Littrell's video supported Gallagher's version of events, according to PEOPLE.
In his complaint, the singer alleges that the beachgoer "struck his hand, was belligerent and disturbing the peace," making him feel unsafe.
Gallagher appears to claim that the 51-year-old Backstreet Boys member grabbed his phone. The singer then filmed the beachgoer.
"What the f***, dude?" Littrell said.
"Sorry, here, you cannot be putting that in my face, bro," Gallagher replied. "Get out of my face, bro."
Littrell replied, "I'm on the wet sand right now, bro."
Gallagher said, "I'm not in your face, you can't grab my phone, dog."
"Dude, I didn't know," Littrell says. "Something came in my face out of nowhere, man."
Gallagher laughs as Littrell then films both of them.
"This is what I deal with. People like this," Littrell said.
"Seriously?" Gallagher replied.
"Just like this," said Littrell.
"You can't even shove your phone in my face, bro," Gallagher said. "You're lucky I didn't knock you the f*** out."
The argument then escalates.
"Yes, you did," Gallagher said of the Backstreet Boys member, who allegedly grabbed his phone. "You reached around me from behind my back, dude, I got you on video. You're f****d, bro. You're never gonna — you bought a house next to private property."
"You touched me, dog," accused Littrell.
"No, I didn't touch you," replied Gallagher.
Littrell Then Allegedly Uses a Slur
During the dispute, Littrell allegedly said, "You want to be gay? Want to be a f*****?"
"I got it right here," Gallagher said.
"This is what I deal with," added Littrell. "We'll have him taken off. Public access doesn't grant you public beach."
"You're done for, bro," said Gallagher. "You're not gonna get privacy. You'll never get privacy here."
Littrell added, "I can't wait till this gets out."
Gallagher told police the next day that he was "startled" by the phone being in his face. He claims he acted on "reflex."
Walton County's Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Josh Mitchell said Gallagher showed no criminal intent, and the evidence matched Gallagher's account.
This is one of several complaints Littrell has filed against alleged trespassers on his property in Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, Florida. The singer claims he and his family have received threats as a result.
Littrell's attorney says that he "was assaulted by a hostile beach protester. A report was made to the feckless sheriff's office. The assault was awful enough, but the fact that the sheriff's office is not enforcing the law makes our whole community one of greater danger."
