Celebrity Justice
How the Kanye Arrest Went Down

Erik, our cameraman, is on his way back to our offices now, after being interviewed by LAX Police. Here's what happened that led to Kanye West's vandalism arrest at LAX.

Erik says he was at Terminal 4 (American Airlines) when he noticed a still photog taking several pictures of Kanye West. Erik says West rushed the photog and grabbed his camera. A struggle ensued and the still guy was screaming, "Police, help!" Erik says Kanye then took the still camera and threw it on the ground, breaking it into pieces. (Click here to see the video)

Erik then went over to Kanye, his camera rolling, when Kanye's bodyguard walked up to him, realized Erik was taping, and said, "Give me the camera, give me the camera." Erik responded that he had a press pass and had a right to shoot. The assistant then grabbed the camera, ripped off the mic and viewfinder and smashed it to the ground.

Erik says Kanye then tried to leave to board his plane, but cops stopped him before he got to security. The cops then interviewed Erik, the still photog, Kanye and his assistant.

This is where it gets crazy. The cops asked Erik if he videotaped the incident and Erik said he had. That's when Kanye lunged toward him and said, "Give me the fu***ng videotape." Cops had to restrain Kanye as he tried coming at Erik.

The videotape is on its way back to our offices. We will post shortly.



Reader Comments

(Page 10 of 11) Previous 15 Comments | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

136. god i hate kanye hes racist, and has about as much class as a child molester, as for everyone in here saying good for him, i wouldnt be surprised if those people were in gangs and murdered or raped people before, to advocate violence u gotta be a real piece of work,

Posted at 9:04PM on Sep 11th 2008 by senordystro

137. GOOD! SICK OF HIS ASS!

Posted at 1:07AM on Sep 12th 2008 by truthhurts

138. Paps are lame, but for Christs sake, you can't assualt someone and destroy their gear. These arrogant no-talent thugs need to be thrown in jail.

Posted at 1:47AM on Sep 16th 2008 by kanyesuksballz

139. TMZ YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF PUCCIES SINCE YOU CALLED THE COPS ON KANYE, YOU GUYS LOVE TO HARASS CELEBRITIES AND WHEN THE TABLES ARE TURNED YOU RUN TO THE COPS AWWWWW POOR TMZ AND THEIR CAMERA LOLZZZZZZ Sh!TS FUNNY

Posted at 1:19AM on Sep 12th 2008 by GO KANYE!

140. Confrontational little weasel. He likes the money that goes with fame but can't stand anyone else making a buck. It goes to show what little talent or intelligence it takes to be a star in the "music" business these days.

Posted at 11:40PM on Sep 12th 2008 by Cagiva

141. its so silly, that these people are allowed to stalk and harrass people the way they do, the paparazzi is so stupid, cause people to have car wrecks, and just have no respect for anyone, if i dont want some prick following me with a camera, i would break it too. you cant even get help from the police from these crazed retards with camera,

Posted at 2:14AM on Sep 12th 2008 by Ifyouwanttostalkpeopleexpectandasswhooping

142. i enjoy your website, but honestly you really bother people when you are in their face. why don't you back off a bit and just get a shot instead of saying stuff and waiting for a reaction, it's not always going to be good?

Posted at 10:39AM on Sep 12th 2008 by sherri

143. Ever since his love spat with Richard Simmons he has been angry at the world.

Posted at 3:36AM on Sep 12th 2008 by conrad Labutiay

144. Isnt the incident more then vandelism because West order the Pap to surrender his property?

Posted at 4:08AM on Sep 12th 2008 by I Dont know

145. GOOD FOR YOU THE PAPS ARE OUT OF CONTROL SOMEONE SHOULD PUT THEM IN CHECK...THEY ALL NEED BEATINGS P.S A NEW YORKER..

Posted at 4:34AM on Sep 12th 2008 by THE KID

146. TMZ HAD NOOOOOOO BUSINESS IN THE TERMINAL UNLESS THEY HAD TICKETS FOR A DESTINATION ! ! !
SECURITY YOU KNOW
ALSO, HAD NO BUSINESS BEING WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE PERSON THEY WERE PHOTOGRAPHING !
YOU ARE STALKERS !!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:07AM on Sep 12th 2008 by Jo

147. This type of stuff makes me want to get into politics and change the laws on papparazzi's harrassment of people. It doesn't matter if a person's job is public or not. Papparazzie hound anybody they want. When an entertainer is on stage, or about to perform, then I can understand photos being a part of the job. But when they are having dinner with their families, jogging at the park, or on the toilet....LEAVE THEM ALONE! And if they TELL YOU to leave them alone, then you should be required to do so. Now you should understand why many celebrities go insane.

Posted at 9:55AM on Sep 13th 2008 by AngelaBanks

148. just what you would expect from thugs, why is no one suprised. behind bars is where he belongs

Posted at 8:01AM on Sep 12th 2008 by finally

149. "39. Wow....Ron White get busted with weed and its ok...but Kanye brakes a camera...burn him alive...Racist bastards!"

First, having weed is not felony destruction of someone else's property. Second, give up the ignorant race card bull - it's tiring. If someone acts as stupid as this moron always does, he's just stupid - it has nothing to do with race. This ignoramus is as ignorant, asinine and full of delusional self-grandeur and entitlement as that other moron Diddy - and no, it's not because they are black, it is because they are asses. I'd feel the same way about them no matter what race they were.

Posted at 9:25AM on Sep 12th 2008 by sjc

150. I am not a Kenya Fan...BUT I am less of a papparazzi fan...these guys just go to far! I respect their profession but they are in it for the money shot and have no respect for anyone. Stars need to reverse the role and follow the photogs for a while and let them see how that feels.

Posted at 10:16AM on Sep 12th 2008 by NoFan

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