An arrest has been made in connection with the incident that halted Baltimore production of Apple TV+’s upcoming Natalie Portman project, Lady in the lake. However, questions about inconsistencies in the story about what happened on set remain.
The Baltimore Police Department told Yahoo Entertainment on Tuesday that officers were called to the set of the Endeavor Content production at around 4 p.m. on August 26 “in regards to a crew member.”
“Preliminary information was that a crew member received a verbal threat of violence from an individual, who also allegedly brandished a firearm,” the department said in a statement. “At that time, filming was interrupted out of an excess of caution.”
After investigation, detectives determined “a local street vendor was upset that he had not been compensated by production for the loss of business, as he was unable to operate his clothing business while the crew was filming. this place”.
Officers then identified the seller as Keith L. Brown, 43, of Pikesville, Maryland, whom they arrested on August 29 for drug trafficking.
“Brown advised detectives that he had spoken with a crew member and a security official and was awaiting documentation to receive compensation for lost cases on August 26,” the department said.
Detectives continue to interview people during their ongoing investigation.
When production closed on Friday, police said the producers were threatened by locals who wanted $50,000 for filming to continue.
“Production officials have decided to err on the side of caution and reschedule filming after finding an alternate location,” department spokeswoman Chakia Fennoy said. Los Angeles Times.
According to the incident report provided by police on Tuesday, they were called after a crew member reported that individuals had brandished a firearm at another of the workers, a driver, while demanding l money so they can keep filming. While the crew member initially said he saw the weapon, he later said only the driver saw it. Someone else with the on-set security team first said the perpetrators wanted $4,000, but then said it was $50,000. An officer later determined that “the victim’s recollection of the incident changed during the investigation.”
Endeavor Content did not immediately respond to Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment.
However, on Monday the company made a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:
“Friday afternoon, on the Baltimore set of our production lady at the lake, before the cast and crew arrived…a driver from our production team was confronted by two men, one of whom brandished a gun aimed at our driver, and then they fled the scene. We are working with the Baltimore Police Department while the investigation is ongoing. The safety and security of our crew, cast and everyone who works on our productions is our top priority, and we are grateful that no one was injured. Production will resume with enhanced security measures in the future. It was a privilege to film lady at the lake in Baltimore, working with its vibrant community in many areas.”
lady at the lake is a limited series based on the 2019 mystery novel of the same name by Laura Lippman, which is inspired by two disappearances in 1960s Baltimore. Portman plays Maddie Schwartz, a bored housewife who chooses to leave her husband to become a forensic reporter.