Rapper Kanye West was arrested this morning at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of vandalism and his road manager was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and battery after the two men reportedly confronted a photographer and smashed the man's camera, authorities said.
The incident took place about 7:50 a.m. outside the passenger security screening area in Terminal 4, said LAX spokeswoman Nancy Castles.
Initial reports said the incident involved "a commercial photographer, 'paparazzi' " and a camera worth more than $10,000, according to Castles.
Castles said authorities were interviewing several witnesses. West was taken by police to the LAPD's Pacific Division jail where Castles said he was expected to be booked.
At least part of the incident was apparently filmed by a TMZ cameraman who was at the airport, the celebrity gossip website said this morning.
The incident caused delays of about 15 to 20 minutes for passengers waiting to get through security. People waiting in line could see West, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, standing at the top of the stairs with about 10 police officers nearby.
A security guard told those waiting that there had been a loud argument between West and photographers.
West, 31, rose to fame on the success of his debut album, "The College Dropout," which was released in 2004 and was a Grammy nominee for album of the year.
He is known for flashes of temper and for speaking his mind. During a telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, West said: " George Bush doesn't care about black people."
Late last year his mother, Donda West, 58, died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in a case that drew scrutiny of the surgeon who performed the procedures.
0 comments:
Post a Comment