Randy Travis in Drunken Fight at Church, Mug Shot Released (PHOTO)

(Photo: Twitter/Steve in HTown)
Randy Travis' mug shot after a brawl last night.

By Sami K. Martin , Christian Post Contributor

August 24, 2012|2:24 pm

Country gospel singer Randy Travis has been hospitalized following a drunken fight in a church parking lot. This makes the third such incident Travis has been in since February, and raises questions of whether the legend needs professional help.

The Plano Police Department in Texas confirmed that Travis was taken into custody early this morning after receiving a tip about a fight in a church parking lot. According to Travis' lawyer, a fight broke out between Travis' fiancée and her estranged husband.

Travis got involved in the dispute and violence ensued. Police charged Travis with simple assault, and officials have stated that he was the aggressor in the situation. He was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the fight, and if his mug shot is any indication, Travis may have lost the battle.

This is the third incident in which Travis has been publicly intoxicated. In February, he was taken into custody after authorities found him disoriented and drunk, sitting in a church parking lot. Travis was charged with public intoxication after an open bottle was found in his vehicle.

Then, earlier this month, Travis was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Police found him, completely nude, at the scene of a single-car accident. He also smelled of alcohol and made verbal threats against an arresting officer.

It's probably no coincidence that Travis has been arrested at churches. He is originally a country singer who crossed over into the gospel genre. Travis has starred in several Christian-themed films and TV shows such as "Touched by an Angel."

"I apologize for what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl," Travis said after his first arrest. "I'm committed to being responsible and accountable; I apologize for my actions."

Does the star's self-destructive path require professional help? It remains to be seen whether Travis will issue a statement after this latest incident, or whether he will seek help.