Kanye West Gets into Physical Altercation With Paparazzi at LAX

Rapper has been asking photographers not to talk to him for weeks now

By Lily Harrison Jul 19, 2013 10:58 PMTags
Kanye WestJack-Kmm-RS/X17online.com

Kanye West got into an altercation with a photographer shortly after landing at Los Angeles International Airport earlier today.

Photos of the incident, which, according to TMZ, resulted when roughly five paparazzi surrounded West, have surfaced, and show the rapper getting physical with one cameraman. It's unclear what prompted the behavior, but according to the report, one of the photographers had allegedly become "especially aggressive" towards West.

LAX police confirmed to E! News that an incident has occurred, but police cannot confirm that West was involved because "the alleged suspect left the scene" before they arrived. 

Jack-Kmm-RS/X17online.com

The police issued the following statement, saying, "Today at approximately 2:00 p.m., at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (on the arrival level curbside), Los Angeles Airport Police officers were flagged down by a citizen (photographer) who alleged that he was taking pictures of an individual when he was battered by the subject.

"The alleged suspect was not at the location nor was he observed by officers at the scene."

The statement added, "LAFD was notified, responded to the location and transported the victim to a local hospital for medical attention. A police report was taken by the Los Angeles Police Department and the investigation is ongoing."

A source says Kanye went after the videographer and attempted to take his camera. When the pap wouldn't let go, the source says West took him to the ground, where the pap hurt his hip. The photographer got up and walked away from the scene before realizing his hip was injured. He received medical attention at LAX and was transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance. He is currently undergoing x-rays on his hip, the source adds.