Harrelson Chokes TMZ Photog -- LAPD Investigates

Posted Jun 30th 2006 4:46PM by TMZ Staff

Woody Harrelson choked TMZ cameraman Josh Levine late Thursday night as he left a Hollywood nightclub, and the LAPD is conducting a criminal investigation.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. outside Element, a club frequented by celebrities. As Harrelson left with three women and two men, Levine and other photogs began shooting. Harrelson became irritated and asked Levine to stop shooting. Harrelson then walked over to Levine, put his hand on the camera and asked Levine to stop. Levine said "All I'm doing is my job." Harrelson, who appears in "A Prairie Home Companion," then said, "I've asked you to stop, are you going to stop?" and Levine replied, "Not when you ask me like that." The video then shows Harrelson break the camera and the picture goes dead.

TMZ obtained a second video, shot by another photog, showing the altercation. The photographer began shooting just as Harrelson grabbed Levine's neck. There is no audio in this portion of the tape.

After the incident, Levine was visibly agitated and argued with a man who appeared to be Harrelson's security guard. Then Levine flagged down an LAPD patrol car and told the two officers inside, "Hey bro, I just got assaulted by Woody Harrelson. He choked me out right now." A man standing near Levine added, "Yeah, I'm a witness." The police did not acknowledge Levine and simply drove away.

Harrelson's publicist, Ina Treciokas, told TMZ: "Unfortunately, this is not the first or last time the paparazzi have provoked an incident with a celebrity. Mr. Harrelson is evaluating all of his legal options against the photographer."

Levine went to LAPD's Hollywood division and filed a criminal complaint against Harrelson. The police have Levine's tape as evidence, and TMZ has given the LAPD a copy of the second tape. Levine, who suffered neck lacerations, was then taken by two officers to Cedars Sinai emergency room, where he was examined and released.

Josh Levine

LAPD Detective John Padilla told TMZ the investigation is ongoing and "We're going to present it to the D.A.'s office" as early as today. Padilla added, "With the tapes and all, it's pretty good evidence." Padilla said vandalism and assault and battery charges could be filed against Harrelson.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Paparazzi Video, Movies

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(Page 2 of 35)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. For the love of God! This is the stupidist thing I have ever seen. Really - take a look at the "Scratch" at no time was Woody on that side of him. He made the scratch himself. And the broken camera? Come on. Nowhere in that video does it show the camera being broken. This camera guy is a scab who's big dream is to provolke a celebrity to hit him so he can get a lawsuit and live the next year of his moral-less stoner life without having to do any real work. What a pathetic little twerp. The fact that he has video only helps Harrilson's case, not his.

Posted at 5:34PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Realist

17. F*ck TMZ for harassing these people.
If I was a celeb, I would hire someone, unofficially, to beat the photogs with pipes and bats.

Posted at 5:35PM on Jun 30th 2006 by jesse

18. WOODY SHOULD OF BEAT THE A-HOLE FOR THE HELL OF IT. THE POLICE DIDN'T SEE THE MISDOMENOR OCCOUR, SO THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

Posted at 5:43PM on Jun 30th 2006 by RAUL

19. If someone asks you to stop, then stop and don't cry like a little b#### when you get hurt for not stopping all photogs are dumb a##es

Posted at 5:43PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Marianne

20. Well, it's ain't gonna be ptreety for Woody in this one, honestly. Few courts take provocation into account -- no matter how extreme -- when assault occurs. (Although, good Lord, how much can you expect a person to take before they snap?) And, to Woody, keep a j on hand whenever there's papparazzi about. It seems like it takes all the mellow one can get to live in the same town as photo hounds.

Posted at 5:45PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Beth

21. I mean I have hated taking pictures since I was a child. . . I don't even understand it myself. My school year books have years of no me but even I don't understand why people that get paid 2 be infront of a camera, why it pisses them off when some one is shooting them with a camera? Can someone explain this 2 me please? I mean it's one thing if they are like inches from your face which in 90% of the cases this is not the case so stick to like this situation cause if I ever make it big I wouldn't give a f*ck about it, as long as the checks kept coming.

Posted at 5:47PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Tyler

22. Maybe .......Being trapped,harassed, by a**hole paparazzi like the one TMZ has is the price celeb. must pay, I guess!?!?!? BUT, TMZ paparazzi should try to be a man and except butt kicking as part of his job as well.

Right on Woody !!!!!!!!

Posted at 5:48PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Rick

23. When someone asks you to stop and you dont.... You get what ever happens to you. Job or no job. He should have stopped when Woody asked him.

Posted at 5:49PM on Jun 30th 2006 by marsha postel

24. Woody gets a check for public appearances and things like that. If the guy wants to video let him get Woody's permission and then give him a cut of the pay. Otherwise let Woody stomp him for stalking.

Posted at 5:52PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Randy

25. These celeb photographers are simply pathetic bottomfeeders who think just because they own a telephoto lense, they are entitled to exploit the private lives of others. They say its their "job" to cover celebrities.... Bullsh-t! They just in it for the quick buck! It is clear that Woody tried to be polite but this schmuck Levine kept pushing, hoping that Woody would lose it. And eventually Woody did lose it. The second camera shows what an a-hole this Levine is because after Woody walked away and the body guard stepped in, Levine refused to stand down.
Like I said...pathetic!

There is certainly room for celebrity journalism since it is shoved down our throats at every opportunity but these blood-thirsty photogs just need to know when to back the f-ck off.

Posted at 5:53PM on Jun 30th 2006 by The Big Man NYC

26. Oh BOO HOO!!!!!!

That camera man was annoying and if he wants to follow people around sticking a camera in their face - then don't be such a baby and take what you deserve.

It is totally the camerman's fault. He told him to stop and he was all arrogant with the "not when you ask me like that". GOOD JOB WOODY!

Posted at 6:05PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Brodie

27. to bad woody didn't kill him. it'd be just what these morons
deserve

Posted at 6:07PM on Jun 30th 2006 by m

28. HEY RON HARMON (COMMENT 22)

I can't believe you are bringing religion into this - I have been to lots of celeb events and the creepy photogs come from all religions, races and colors. it's obvious your view of the world is sadly childlike and prehistoric. You are just as bad as the photographers you moron!

Posted at 6:08PM on Jun 30th 2006 by The Big Man

29. too bad woody didn't kill him

Posted at 6:10PM on Jun 30th 2006 by m

30. He asked him to please leave him alone. "Come on man give me a break"
The camera man was in the wrong and invoked the confrontation.
Instead of harrassing people, why doesn't TMZ.com fix their web site so the pages don't over lap and look like crap.

Your site is a joke!!!

Posted at 6:11PM on Jun 30th 2006 by Matt

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