Community outreach gone right! Despite one minor logistical hiccup, Keke and LaKeith delivered joy to dozens of Angelenos struggling with sky-high gas prices. The stars kept things classy while cops quickly defused the situation.
Sources say someone who arrived too late for the free gas literally ran out of fuel in a tantrum and called 911 on the celebrities themselves — wild behavior that almost overshadowed the entire goodwill event.
The event took place at a Shell gas station in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The first 70 drivers received free gas, with one lucky winner scoring a full $100 tank. Keke and LaKeith are co-stars in the upcoming film 'I Love Boosters.'
Nothing says Hollywood philanthropy like cops showing up to a gas station — but hey, at least these two got people talking about their movie AND rising fuel costs. We'll take it.
Keke Palmer and LaKeith Stanfield learned the hard way Tuesday that free stuff doesn't always come without drama. The 'I Love Boosters' co-stars rolled up to a Shell gas station in Los Angeles hoping to spread some good vibes while promoting their upcoming film — but the promotional stunt hit a major pothole when police ended up at the scene. The celebrities had announced they'd cover free gas for the first 70 drivers who pulled through the pump, which sounds incredibly generous until you consider that L.A. has millions of car-dependent residents and word travels fast on social media.
According to witnesses, the line got chaotic as more people showed up than anticipated, creating exactly the kind of frenzy you'd expect when something's actually free for once in this economy. Here's where things get interesting: TMZ reports that at least one driver who arrived after the 70-car cutoff had apparently pushed their luck — and their tank — too far. The frustrated motorist ran out of fuel right there at the station, then reportedly called the cops on the situation itself.
Whether they were angry at the celebrities for the limited spots or just having a genuinely terrible day is unclear, but officers did show up to handle what sources described as "other side dramas" at the scene. LaKeith Stanfield, never one to miss an opportunity to speak from the heart, used the moment to address the elephant in the room: inflation. The actor spoke directly about how rising prices are squeezing everyday people and emphasized the importance of community support during tough economic times.
It's a message that clearly resonated with everyone waiting in line — especially those who actually got their tanks filled for free. Keke, meanwhile, kept things light despite the surrounding chaos. She reportedly posed for adorable photos with fans and even babies at the scene, proving she's still got that effervescent charm that's made her one of Hollywood's most beloved personalities.
One particularly lucky driver apparently drove off with a full $100 tank as part of the promotion — a prize value that probably would've been smart to advertise more prominently from the start. The good news? Police were able to "pump the brakes" on the complaint quickly, and sources say Keke and LaKeith kept the vibes cruising smoothly despite the unexpected interruption.
The event still delivered for dozens of Angelenos who desperately needed relief at the pump — even if one person's meltdown nearly derailed what was supposed to be a wholesome PR moment. So here's the real bottom line: two celebrities tried doing something genuinely nice, some ungrateful soul made it weird by calling authorities over being too late, and cops had to show up to sort out the mess. Classic Hollywood, honestly. At least 'I Love Boosters' got some buzz going — even if it's not exactly the kind of publicity the studio probably anticipated.
