American filmmaker Shane Carruth, best known for directing independent films namely Primer and Upstream Color, was arrested by Santa Monica police officers at the residence of his ex-girlfriend, whose name was not disclosed, last week based on allegations of domestic violence. Lt. Rudy Flores said they had arrived at the woman's house at 4.50 a.m. on Thursday morning to investigate the alleged assault. Carruth had left the premises by the time they had arrived on the scene, with the woman informing the authorities about the incident. She placed another call to the police at around 6:50 a.m. informing officials that he had returned to her home. Carruth was found near her home by the police, who arrested him on domestic violence and vandalism charges, Flores said.
Booking records show Carruth was released on a $50,000 bond on Monday afternoon. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office did not file any felony charges, but the case was referred to the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office, which conducts legal proceedings against misdemeanors. Santa Monica spokesperson said the city's criminal division is yet to receive Carruth's case file from the D.A.'s office. Previously, actress and director Amy Seimetz, a former girlfriend of Carruth, obtained a permanent restraining order against him in August 2020, after she testified to the judge. She had alleged that he had sent her threatening and abusive messages after she parted ways in 2018.
Shane Carruth made heads turn in Hollywood in his directorial debut, the time-travel based film, Primer, in 2004, which eventually won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. He next made Upstream Color in 2013 and told Indiewire in a 2020 interview that he has since quit filmmaking. Carruth was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2020 and continues to be a member.
