Kanye West and his assistant were arrested at LAX for felony vandalism after snatching and smashing a photog's camera at the American Airlines Terminal.
After the jump, read how it all went down, courtesy of TMZ. It should come as no surprise that their cameraman was there to witness the whole thing.
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.
Erik then went over to Kanye, his camera rolling, when Kanye's body guard 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.
Of course, will be posting a video of the events shortly. Ooooh, Kanye's poor MacBook Air is going to pay for this when he makes bail and logs onto his blogs. The all-caps, rage-filled post will be one for the record books.
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"Damn / These ni**as got me / I hate these ni**as more than a Nazi…"
What..a rapper got arrested?! No way!
Not my Kayne!!!
These Paps are out of control. It is a mutual reliance relationship, and they do film in public places. But they do not self regulate. They are inches away from celebrities and they will be sometimes 5 or more of them.
Something needs to be done
M,
You must be a celeb. All the money they make I rarely feel sorry for them! He knew he was going to a public place……. the airport can't get much more public.
Im far from a celebrity, but I feel sorry for them beacuse the paps got a picture of Britney spears when is was IN the ambulance. Its a public place yes, but the don't have to be so close
The paps could be anyone with a press pass. In this time of national security breaches left and right, I'm amazed they can get in large airports thisclose to people and the TSA does nothing. They pat and scan the hell out of regular citizens but these bozos could be anyone (infer what you will on this day)with a camera and a "press pass" and are allowed to attack strangers. Also, for every photo the paps sell, they make thousands so I don't feel sorry for them at all. I couldn't be famous cuz I'd go all Sean Penn on the paps for following me to the bathroom and the grocery store and my mom's crib, like they do.
How the hell are these photographers going to run up on someone at the airport on 9/11 snapping pictures yet they give travelers pretty much body cavity searches before they get in the door? Yes, it is a public place but there are certain rules of conduct ALL should follow at the airport.
I can't lie: On a bad day, when I just want to get from A to B, and some dumb PapaRATzzi happened to get in my way(and violate my personal space)I'd probably do the same. That's why I'd rather be rich than famous. I'm still trippin' on what they did to poor Janet Jackson; that video is all over the interweb…