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

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46. Kanye don't be bitter ...

Posted at 12:50PM on Sep 11th 2008 by TMZ FAN

47. Ha Ha Ha Ha.......

Posted at 12:51PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Christy

48. Do these blow up shoes make my butt look FAT?? ..

Posted at 12:52PM on Sep 11th 2008 by knockers de clown

49. Good! Arrest him for torturing us with his overinflated ego and sense of entitlement!!! He is the biggest baby, poser, spoiled little brat ever! Go away Kanye-GO AWAY!

Posted at 12:53PM on Sep 11th 2008 by happymess

50. Why don't ya'll leave that man alone? He didn't get to grieve his mother in piece. Ya'll are all up in his business for what? A pic that looks like it was taken with a cellphone camera. Get some real news.

Posted at 12:55PM on Sep 11th 2008 by T.

51. HiP HIP Hoooray for Kanye...TMZ and the Paparazzi suck big time getting into peoples faces and I'm surprised you people haven't' tried to get a celebrity taking a crap yet because tmz IS diffidently sh**

Posted at 1:41PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Cougar

52. Canada is NOT better than the U.S...

Posted at 12:54PM on Sep 11th 2008 by knockers de clown

53. I'm sure Kanye's new buddy Obama will grant him a full pardon... or maybe he can do some community service.... maybe he can help Obama paint the white house black!.... yehhhh right!!

Posted at 1:06PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Noodles

54. ill be mad too.........those paps are very annnnnnnnnnoying...i woulda went off if i was constantly being photographed..its very annnnnnnnnnoying to deal with that side of fame.

Posted at 3:21PM on Sep 16th 2008 by princessblack

55. Only because Kanye is famous tha doesnt mean he has the right to assault somebody, the paparrazzi had the right to be there and was just doing his job. What is the big deal with te celebrities getting photograph or videotaped? You are famous and you chose to be in the lime light.

Posted at 12:55PM on Sep 11th 2008 by adriana

56. Well if you didn't have your stoned little paparazzi tramps waiting at the airport to ask people stupid questions about irrelevant crap people wouldn't feel the need to beat you.

Posted at 1:13PM on Sep 11th 2008 by IH8ONU

57. ALL YOU HATERS NEED TO STOP, WOW I CANT BELIEVE HOW MANY IGNORANT PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE. KANYE AND YOUR ASSISTANT I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. PEOPLE IN THIS LIFETIME DONT KNOW HOW TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT, AND THEY HATE ON THOSE WHO DO. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. PEOPLE ARE JUST MAD BECAUSE IF THEY GET SOMETHING ON THEIR RECORD ITS HARDER FOR THEM TO MAKE MONEY, WITH YOU ITS JUST ANOTHER SONG AND MORE MILLIONS. GOOD, MAYBE THE PAPARAZZI WILL THINK TWICE NEXT TIME FAM LOL, I LOVE IT

Posted at 2:06PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Corey Anderson

58. Alrighttttttttttttttttt! Throw his arrogant ass in jail. He thinks he's better than any other artist

Posted at 12:57PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Fina

59. Kanye West is a COMPLETE TOOL! I can't stand his arrogant a$$. I hope they throw the book at him too! He thinks he is better than everyone else and he is just a total dork. He can't sing for sh*t either!

Posted at 12:59PM on Sep 11th 2008 by stephanie

60. Your a bunch of duoche bags who have no respect for people's privacy! Your leaches! I agree, you should be allowed to tape whatever whenever, but if someone asks nicely to please stop, then freaking stop!!!!! Again I know it's how you sadly make your money, but when is enough, ENOUGH? You drive these stars to do stupid things like this and then attack them as if they are animals! Truth be told I hate Kanye, but he is a guy who wants a little freakin privacy!

Posted at 2:25PM on Sep 11th 2008 by Marc Tenebruso

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