Rapper Busta Rhymes has been placed under arrest for assault after he threw a protein drink at a gym employee in Manhattan, New York City. Rhymes, 43, whose actual name is Trevor Tahiem Smith Jr., was taken into custody at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday and is charged with second degree assault. The altercation took place at Steel Gym in New York's Chelsea neighborhood, according to authorities, The Associated Press reported.

A New York Police Department spokesman said there was a heated exchange between the Brooklyn-born rapper and the gym employee, which then escalated. He said Rhymes allegedly hurled a 17-ounce protein drink container made of cardboard at the man, hitting him on the head. It wasn't immediately known if there were any injuries, Fox News reported.

Multiple witnesses claimed the two had been at loggerheads in the past. Rhymes' attorney Scott Leemon said he was confident that his client would beat the second-degree assault charges. "This is clearly an attempt by someone to take advantage of Busta. He did nothing wrong," said Leemon. "This is a bunch of bull," according to TMZ.