Tyson was defending daughter, wife during LAX altercation with paparazzo, spokeswoman says [Updated]

Mike Tyson was defending his wife and 10-month-old child from an aggressive photographer when the former boxer got into an altercation at LAX on Wednesday, his spokeswoman said.

Tyson and the photographer were arrested on suspicion of battery, and police said they were interviewing witnesses to determine what happened.

Tyson, 43, told investigators that the photographer struck him in an apparent attempt to provoke him, according to a police source who asked not to be named because the matter involved an open investigation.

The photographer told investigators that Tyson punched him in the face and tried to take his camera, the source told The Times.

"Mike acted in self-defense as a father protecting his child," said Tyson's spokeswoman Tammy Brook.

A fellow paparazzo interviewed by KABC-TV Channel 7 said the photographer regularly photographed celebrities at LAX but said the man would not provoke a physical altercation.

[Updated at 8:50 a.m.: The photographer, Tony Echeverria, told infdaily.com that he got a tip that Tyson and his family were arriving at LAX on Wednesday. He found Tyson and followed him for several minutes around the airport, at one point exchanging words. Tyson eventually hit him four times, Echeverria said.]

The incident occurred at Terminal 7 in front of numerous witnesses at about 4:30 p.m., according to Los Angeles Airport Police. The photographer suffered a minor cut to his forehead. Witnesses said there was blood on the floor of the terminal.

Both men wanted to press charges of battery against each other, said Sgt. Jim Holcomb of the airport police.

 “There’s a lot of different versions to the story,” Holcomb said.

Tyson was initially held in the airport station’s lockup, but he was later transferred to the LAPD’s 77th Street Station, where he was booked and released on his own recognizance at 8:10 p.m.

“He was very cooperative,” said LAPD Lt. Aaron McCraney. “There were no issues.”

Today's episode was the latest clash between celebrities and paparazzi at LAX.

On Sept. 12, 2008, rapper Kanye West was arrested on suspicion of vandalism, and his road manager, Don Crowley, was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and battery, after they reportedly confronted a photographer and smashed his camera.

An L.A. court commissioner dismissed all charges against both men last month.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Photo: KTLA

More breaking news in L.A. Now:

Times/USC poll discussed on KCRW (in case you missed it)

Two die in Mid-City stabbing and officer-involved shooting

Superintendent works to preserve historic Mt. Wilson Observatory

Orange County unveils ambitious brush-fire warning system, a year after devastating blaze

Woman killed in Mid-City domestic violence incident

Comments

[Rick]

Enough already with the paparazzi harassing people and their families. I am the father of eight and grandfather of ten and if someone starts taking pictures of any of the kids they will have me to deal with too. What ever happened to common sense and decency?

[Shaun Mason]

I wonder how many of those jerks with cameras there would be waiting to photograph people when they don't want to be photographed if they had to think about getting punched in the face by Mike effing Tyson. I say we let the Champ patrol the dang airport.

[Cal]

If you are dumb enough to get within arm's reach of an ex-professional fighter and make him angry I think a little knock on the head would do you some good. I got no sympathy for these vultures. What a disgusting way to make a living.

[mike]

i think tyson was doing the correct thing in protecting his family.. im on tysons side paparzzi are known to be to pushy

[MG]

I have no remorse for the scum paparazzi. I work in W.Hollywood and see what extremes they go to in order to get shots. they put the general public in constant danger by blocking traffic, cutting people off, double parking in the middle of the street and just take off running after their target. All fueled by greed & a quick payday.They're lucky Tyson is finally realizing the monster he once was and didn't do permanent damage.

[Spiro]

Celebs should get at least 2 or 3 free smacks at these Paps before the cops do anything (other than charging the Paps, of course for inciting the celebs). Do celebs EVER smack regular folks or gawkers? Naw, only the Pap slime. So clearly the Paps are the provokers. It's not about free speech. It's about theft of image.

[Granny Gogopants]

I understand that the public views celebrities of any kind as public domain property, to be photographed and gossiped about on demand. But they are human beings and the jackals that work as paparazzi need to be restricted. It's like legal stalking and really, is provoking a prize fighter worth a photo? Or the disruption to his family?

[sys admin]

there should be an exemption to assault laws when dealing with paparazzi.

also, publications that pay for the photographs and video produced by paparazzi should be civilly liable for the actions of their contractors

[Sakachaweeda]

good to hear mike tyson still has his knock out punch...maybe UFC Mike?

[K~sea]

I'm on Mike Tyson's side on this one! Paparazzo act like vultures then expect people to like it. I say if they want pictures to stay a distance away, at least 100 feet and use close up lens. No one should be photographed with the camera in their face.

[Byron]

I've never been able to figure out why the tabloids have carte blanche to annoy others. It's high about time there be legislation to stop these agressive tabloid journalists harassing people. I mean, what average person would allow some freak to stalk them everywhere they go and hound them with cameras in their face when they are only trying to get from point A to point B like anyone else. Why is being a TV figure a free liscense to harass??? On top of that these creeps then turn around and publish slanderous and insulting stories complete with doctored photos that put the person in the worst possible light. They're like telemarketers and spammers that delight in getting in people's faces and irritating the heck out of them. It's time to swat these human mosquitos.

[R.A. Behr]

Isn't it time we get off our star obsession and let people lead their lives uninterrupted or is it instead time for the govenator to impose a high paparazzi tax so that we can clear the states deficit within 3 or 4 weeks with Britney coverage alone.

[Winston]

Iron Mike or Mind of Jello Mike?

In theoretically attempting to protect his family from undue public scrutiny, the genius puts himself on the front page of most national papers.

Only those with direct access to the inside of Mikey's head know.

[adaosha]

Mike was not in the wrong here. These paparazzi people neeed to be restricted from constantly stalking intimidating and harassing people.

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

How typical, the problem is the paparazzi.

No the problem is all of the idiots who buy People and In Touch magazine in order to see the pictures of celebrities.

As long as there is a financial incentive for the pictures they will continue to be taken.

[Mr.G...]

These "IDIOT" photographers have NO respect for privacy...
Pass an injuction on those vultures...

[CommonSense]

Papparazzi are dangerous and need to be in jail for stalking, reckless endangerment and about 50 other things. I almost got in a head on collision with a papparazzi SUV because they were driving full speed on the wrong side of the road trying to get a photo of a celebrity driving. The police were standing on the corner doing nothing. It's psychotic. What is going on here?

[Nicole]

When is enough going to be enough? I thought the incident with Princess Di would have been a wake up call for those who put others in danger.

But still, they are chasing people in cars, harassing them at the stores. TMZ isn't that important. Its a scummy celebrity "reality" show.

There are people out there who say "They want to be in the spotlight, well it comes with the paparazzi". I don't think this is fair. Being in movies and TV shows is their JOB. Not their hobby. People are just waiting for Paris Hilton to trip while wearing 9" heels. Or for Britney to pick her nose.

I just wonder....when did we all lose our intelligence? When/why did these things become entertainment and important?

[M. Salinas]

Posted by: Byron "It's time to swat these human mosquitoes." I totally agree with Byron. That is an accurate name for this and all paparazzi, annoying little insects! Slap them around a few times until they get the message.

[Leave Him Alone]

It's high time for everybody to leave Mike Tyson alone and let him live his life in peace!!!

[Sean Donnelly]

Paparazzis are scumbags of course, but the high demand for celebrity images that our culture asks for creates this environment. If people didnt buy People and US Weekly, this agressive behavior would evaporate. Lets also not forget the rights of the photographer- if you are in a public space, you can be photographed without asking- its the law. I work in photography (the serious side, concerned with journalistic issues), and these guys can make $5000 on a good day. Maybe next time you encourage a friend, or business, to pick up Time or Newsweek instead of the gossip magazines?

[TD]

Freedom of the press doesn't include invading anyone's personal space. Why hasn't there been an "arms-length" law enacted to keep the news vultures out of harms' way? While Mike isn't exactly a paragon of social graciousness, he still has the right to go where he wants unmolested. The "paparazzi" is totally out of hand. I might add that politicians and lawyers (aren't they one in the same?) should not enjoy the benefits of this "arms-length" law. If possible I'd like to embed a reporter and photographer with every lawmaker in the system 24/7. Maybe that would stem the outrageous fraud they perpetrate.

[raaa]

It should be the same law that protects a homeowner from an intruder. If the criminal is found beaten inside your home, it's generally self defense.

If the paparazzi is found beaten by a star, it's generally self defense.

And if the paparazzi should be found stoned to death by the public, it's old school justice. Sorry, get a different line of work, chaps. The stars that WANT to be photographed like Paris Hilton are fully available for your crotch shots.

[Richard]

For you morons out there it is legal to photograph anyone in a public area.
Tyson lives off his persona when it suits him but then attacks someone when it does not. I agree these paparazzi guys are jerks and cause traffic and dangerous situation but without them who are the celebs gonna general a buzz to sale their books, movies and documentaries like in Tyson's case.
He is on Tv all the time but gets mad if someone legally photographs him in the street? Maybe the guy got to close and was threatening poor little Mike?

[Dog]

Iron Mike has made plenty of stupid decisions and done plenty of stupid things in life, but I back him 100% on this one. Protect your family! And as for the paparazzi, they are a bunch of worthless bottom dwellers, and what they do should be illegal! It is an invasion of privacy. At “red carpet” events, premiers, and other special events and occasions, fine… but in personal private life, with ones family, celebrities should also be entitled to their privacy!

[bobby dee]

What we really need is a celebrity cop. Sorry papar.

[kthie]

I also agree that their should be some law, like a restraining order, where the paparazzi can't come within or closer to, say, 300 ft. People have the right to make a living (the paparavomitze), but, not to get in anyone's face, especially when children are involved.

[larry]

The paparazzi caused the death of Princess Di.
As soon as someone is killed here in L.A., all the lawmakers will get together and make some lame law but it will take the death of someone to get it done.
When will this "Organized Stalking" stop?
And only an idiot would provoke a heavy weight boxing legend. There paparazzi are not to bright.

[Ron]

Let me get this straight, the photographer took 4 hits from Mike and got a minor cut on the forehead??? The jerk is lucky to have a head !!! Knowing Mike's previous behavior, why was he within arms reach of him??? Mike may be a loon, but I'm buying his side of the story - this time...

[Tom Craig]

Paparazzi = garbage! Mike should have tossed him into the dumpster with the rest of the trash. The airport authority knows who this guy is because he is always trolling the airport. The question is why is a known paparazzi / instigator allowed into the airport if he is only there to harass people? Nice security, where was TSA, stuffing their fat face with a big mac making sure we don’t smuggle water onto the plane?

[Phil]

I am thrilled to see everyone is on Tyson's side for once! Nothing stands between a man and his family and I mean nothing! Good for you Mike, man next time these scums bags will think twice.

[r walker]

Great job champ.

[Ray Difley]

If everyone on here means what they say, they would NOT BUY THE RAGS these scum paparrazi get published in, OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITES...
The hole thing with John Travolta was fueled by the same thing, he's a grieving father, Tyson just lost his daughter - there is no decency to what they do. They are the bottom feeders of the press.
We have the power to throttle their behavior. LETS DO IT!!
BOYCOTT THE CELEB JUNK!

[L Sanders]

How low does a person's IQ need to be to get into Mike Tyson's face as a paparazzo long enough to be punched FOUR times??? It seems like the guy needs a new job as a houseplant... Mike Tyson does not have a great record, but, come on people! give him a break...
Why is it that there is a camera stuffed in a celebrity's face at every turn? Leave them alone! He just lost a precious daughter earlier this year. Give him some respect.

[Johnny]

So how long is this harassing of people going to be allowed with these paparazzi? They are not reporting news they are getting in peoples faces to arouse some controversy and create some drama. The word razz which is part of the word paparazzi means to make fun of and tease and that's exactly what they do.
How much more has to happen before something is done. Princess Diana died because she was trying to get away from these vultures. Enough already

[Alan]

Isn't punching out paparazzi considered performing a public service?

[mykalroze]

"He's still got it!"

[JMag]

The paparazzi, loitering at the airport in teh terminal and in baggage claim is dangerous. It goes against every new procedure put in place by Homeland Security and the LAPD, and evry other alphabet organization we have in this country involved in protecting the population. I can't even pick up a friend from teh airport and get out for a proper greeting and to help them with their bags before getting barked at by police or other airport employees about getting a ticket. Yet we allow a roving band of un-credentialed, mostly unemployable thugs and rejects with cameras yell scream and chase people around one of the most important and crowded airports in the entire world. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the access granted them by the Mayor, and the heads of the police department and Homeland security could put us all in harms way. They have cameras which are not checked by security, and carry camera bags which go unchecked as well. And to top it all off, regular citizens are pushed out of the way, children, elderly and the handicapped are given no regard and guess what. Our Mayor condones this. The airport should feel like one of the safest places to be, yet LAX feels like some kind of weird carnival world where the cops allow this behavior and the officials in the city do nothing but speak in Charlie Brown language about how much they can's stand it yet take donations from the largest agency's that buy the photos.
Los Angeles, your safety bought and paid for by pictures of no talent amateur porn stars and drugged out spoiled rotten former actors and actresses.

[Nate]

These photographers should be banned from the Airport. This is a sick soociety. Shame on you who buy their junk magazines.

[wes dawson]

i think m.t. is a piece of garbage, that being said i have to take his side on this one, the skumbag stalkarazzi was clearly stalking him, and law enforcement failed to protect him and his family so therefore he had every right to defend himself and i think he should receive a medal of commendation for doing the cops job ! i also thought post 911 it was forbidden to loiter at airports when you don't have a ticket, if not it surely should be !!!!! these vultures are a public nuicance and often their actions are a hazard to public safety !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kener]

Papps... If I want to know so much about a person's private life as to employ the papps via magazines, etc. then my life would be incredibly pathetic. Too bad, Tyson didn't KO the leech.

[RM]

I say the celebs should hire their own photographers and have them follow around the paparazzi and their family.

[RM]

If the celeb is at a publicity or promotional event that is related to their career, then having the paparazzi is fine. Draw the line where they intefere with their personal lives.

[James]

Good job Mike !! too bad it was not bad enough to cause brain damage to that papparazi, because apparently he does not need it.

[Marcy Bussa]

A photo of Tyson and family worth $100 or $200. A photo of Tyson fighting is worth maybe 10 or 15k.
That's why these guys start problems.

[REALbarbwire7]

First, I do not defend the lack of morals of the papparazzi. However, I've NEVER known another human being to have MORE EXCUSES than Mike Tyson. It's ALWAYS someone else's fault, according to him. How about ignoring the Pappz, and walking on to your destination? It is possible. People do it every day, no matter how annoyed they are. He is a jagazz.

[AJ]

I'm not a big fan of Iron Mike but I have to take his side on this one. The paparazzi are very intrusive and annoying when taking photographs of celebrities.

[El Guapo de la cuidad de los angeles]

Nice job Mike.

[Starlights]

Too bad Mike got himself in another altercation, but gotta give him some credit here, at least he's punching the right people these days.

[Starlights]

Too bad Mike got himself in another altercation, but gotta give him some credit here, at least he's punching the right people these days.

[What is wrong]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MIKE TYSON??? Three punches and all he got was a cut on the forehead??? He should have been knock out you getting soft mike

[silinda]

I been a big fan but mike u have to stop .And learn to control that temper

[Craig]

think about it. if tyson really wanted to hurt this guy, he'd be in lah-lah land instead of LA. he restrained himself for going further on this punk.

go tyson! i wish someone would do that to me and my family - i'd make a permanent mark, immediately.

[ry]

It is a free country last time I checked. And yet all the comments on this board seem to indicate that everyone is for a photographer getting punched out by a convicted rapist? Seriously? If it wasn't for the celebrity culture that the photographer works for Mike Tyson would have been irrelevant years ago. And as far as you have the right to not be photographed, cameras are everywhere. I can't go to the bank or the store without being photographed. In Mike Tyson's case, without the paparazzi he would be bankrupt. And as far as Rick's comments go, no one cares about your family enough to see the pictures. Get a face tattoo, bite an ear, and have a cameo in a hit comedy movie and maybe we would care.

[Terry]

Why are these idiots allowed to 'follow' people at all?

He should be locked up with Tyson for a week and pay him for 'the experience'.

[10x10 mile district of columbia is a scam]

Let's see. You have a fella who has threatened everything but Allah to date; beat the hell out of everything else; tells other boxers he would make love to them until they love him back; tattooed his head; and you want to go an stir him up as he is at an airport with his family?
It only seems in a normal thinking society that you would leave such a fella alone and have respect for the general peace rather than involve yourself in negligence that endangers and disrupts everyones unalienable right to a peaceful day that we, for the most part, all try to enjoy. And,by the way, that was supposed to be protected by the constitution/contract with the people- Incase some of you forgot.
I say leave Tyson alone and let him smack that guy for all of us one more time for all to see on an internet video. Heck let him go to CONgress and smack all of them once too.

[Portitas]

i've seen these "photographers" operate around LA. they are NOT meek arty-farty types. at best, they are hyper-aggressive, insulting and rude - and they do create confrontations for the photo/lawsuit opportunity. at worst, they are just outright nuts. i've seen celebrity photogs in action at my santa monica grocery that genuinely smelled bad and acted crazy - take away the camera and you'd swear some were mentally ill homeless people.
these people operate WAY beyond what is appropriate or decent. there needs to be a law curtailing their behavior.

[RENE RODRIGUEZ]

GO TYSON!!!!!!!!!!!! GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RENE RODRIGUEZ]

GO TYSON!!!!!!!!!!!! GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mark]

To silinda...

If you were him you would probably do the same thing. They are totally invading his privacy... come on now... his 10 month old daughter was wtih him... those flashes can get the kid blind dont ya think...

[Richard]

Wonder why this so called paparazzi s cannot be curbed by the law.
What right has anyone got to be taking unsolicited pictures of others for profit anyway?
I think we need a law that should ban or keep paparazzi s at least 20 feet away.
Paparazzi s ought to be made criminally liable for invoking anybody's anger.
They need to be fully licensed and carry substantial liability insurance. May be then they'll show better intelligence. They doggedly chase people into extreme intolerance. They have successfully chased people to their death all in the name of freelance photography and monetary greed.
We all know Mike Tyson is extremely temperamental, but would he have gotten provoked into this mess if Mr. Stupid paparazzi didn't show up with his lousy gadgets? Can't the poor guy ever be allowed to live his own life?
It is obvious most humans’ not just celebrities don't want their patronage; why is there no protection against them? Maybe until they start getting killed in high numbers before the society wakes up to the reality of their menace.

[Reginald Arsenya]

Mike should have the right to protect himself and his family, the paparazzi need to be kept at a distant.......and if the system will not do it them we have to take the matter into our own hands.........For one of the few times I say..."Right on Mike"....and the next Joe Fraizer or Sugar Ray should to the same thing.....

[Maggie May]

Leave Mike Tyson alone!!! He is a genuinely nice guy whose had a tough life and is trying his best to get it right!
If he punched you out you probably deserved it!!!! How would you like someone in YOUR face all of the time?

[Michael]

The constitutional freedom of the press does not protect a photographers right to go shoving things in peoples faces. How on earth do paparazzi get a license to stalk, assault and harrass? Maybe I should become one. There is this guy I really don't like...

[Lee B.]

I've met Mike Tyson on four occasions. He is very different in middle age than he was when younger - he is ashamed of his past and is determined to do better, even though it's an uphill climb. I respect that. I do not respect stalkerazzi, whose IQs seem to have sunk into low double digits. And harrassing a heavyweight champ? Single digit IQ.

[TheBigPicture]

I wonder if he bit the photographer on the ear during the altercation...Thats a good tactic to stop unauthorized shutter bugging...

[Decent]

Mike Tyson is in the the right. I've been around these sort of things so I know first hand what went down. You aren't dealing with normal logical people. I've seen a friend get in a car accident with a pap and I've been in the car when they chase you (in teams of 4 and 5 people.) They are dangerous and inconsiderate and are paid alot of money so they will go thru any obstacle to accomplish their mission. Tyson punching some fool, made my thursday.

[David n]

Defending his daughter from what or whom. Like anyone in there
right mind is thinking : Theres Mike Tyson, I think I'll go mess
with his infant. BS He's a frigin nut case. Just put this guy in a
cage and charge addmission.

[FREE]

mIKE tYSON AND pappARAZZO NEED TO settlE thiS in THe RINg not iN coUrt.... MIKE TYSON IS BACK!!!!!!ONCE A FIGHTER ALWAYS A FIGHTER..YOU MAH BOY TYSON

[Mel]

It's unfortunate that back in the 80s, when the they really started to get bold, nothing was done about the paparazzi. I remember the early incidents, like when they called Lisa Bonet that ugly name because she said no to getting her picture taken, and then everyone acted like Lenny Kravitz was wrong for going after them. It was a mess back then; but now, regular folks can't have a life. I was coming out of a restaurant, and it fifteen minutes to walk to the valet because some ding dong was waiting outside with a camera, trying to look in the window to see what someone was doing, and preventing folks from walking past. Enough, already - jeez!

[Jake]

Paparazzo are scumbags. They do nothing but follow and harass people. I bet those punches in the face woke that scumbag up. Go Mike!

[Russell Gibson]

The Government lets this take place with these jerks with there cameras. Because they make probably 50% in tax on
millions of dollars.They shouldn't be closer than 400 feet
taking photos of people violating there space .Bravo Mike next time do it at night when know one is around What is the Government waiting for another Princess Diane episode.
These guys and girls must be stopped from this infringement
of peoples privacy

[RM]

"a free country" - that's pretty vague. You can almost use that excuse to do almost anything you want, even if it breaks laws.

The stores and banks that you go too usually will have signs or monitors showing that you are being photographed or video'd. You have the option of not going entering and have your picture taken.

I guarantee that if I followed you and your family around everywhere and tried to provoke you so I can take a picture that would make more money, you wouldn't be able to handle it for long.

[RM]

"a free country" - that's pretty vague. You can almost use that excuse to do almost anything you want, even if it breaks laws.

The stores and banks that you go too usually will have signs or monitors showing that you are being photographed or video'd. You have the option of not going entering and have your picture taken.

I guarantee that if I followed you and your family around everywhere and tried to provoke you so I can take a picture that would make more money, you wouldn't be able to handle it for long.

[AMOS ADAMS]

MIKE YOUR BECOMMING A BETTER MAN STAND UP FOR YOUR FAMILY AND WHAT YOU BELIVE IN.....STAY STRONG THIS TIME YOU WERE IN THE RIGHT.

[AMOS ADAMS]

MIKE YOUR BECOMING A BETTER MAN STAND UP FOR YOUR FAMILY AND WHAT YOU BELIVE IN.....STAY STRONG THIS TIME YOU WERE IN THE RIGHT.

[Tom]

These paparazzi cause accidents chasing people to get pictures, they stalk families, show up in peoples backyards and typically break the law in various ways just to get their shots. They can be extremely threatening and provoking because it makes their shots and stories sell for more money.

I'm glad Tyson punched the guy. If some mouth breather was stalking my family after getting off a plane, I'd beat the guy up to.

I'm sure if the guy approached Mike and said "Hey Mike, can I get a picture of you and your family" He probably would have posed and smiled and then moved on. Apparently the guy followed Tyson through the airport, exchanged words with him, and it escalated from there.

[Bill]

I agree with all of you. The paparazzi should not be allowed to make money at the expense of the people they photograph and I'm sure the guy deserved more than just the minor beating he got from Mike. The bigger problem here is that as long there are idiots out there buying magazines and papers that these scum bags sell there photos to, this problem will never go away.

[pap]

There is no justification for physical violence. You may have your ideas about what you've "heard" about the paparazzi but you have no idea about the reality. Why would a guy holding a $3000 camera rig want to cause harm any celebrity, much less a professional boxer? So he can get his camera broken and punched out? What benefit is that to the photographer? He is there to take pictures to sell. No harm done. Certainly not a reason to be physically attacked. And you think the camera was in his face? You can't get much of a photo with a camera "in" someone's face. You need to be back at least about 5 feet- an unthreatening distance, to get a picture worth selling.

How fortunate for all you posters here who have your jobs and careers and not have to go out and deal with celebs like Mike Tyson and ignorant haters like yourselves in order to make a living.

[John Martino]

It appears that all agree that the paparazzi are a problem. The solution may lie in charging the media that pays for the pics a fee for each pic either to the celebrity or to charity or as a tax to lessen the economic benefit of doing this. The notion of a tax would at least re-pay society for the costs incurred by the paparazzi activity.

[Alice]

I agree. When a celebrity is walking down the red carpet at the Oscars or some other stupid awards ceremony, they're fair game for paparazzi and autograph seekers. In private life, I wouldn't bother my favorite celebrity for an autograph if they were eating dinner in a restaurant, shopping at the grocery store, or waiting to pick their kids up from school. It's a matter of human decency and personal respect.

I've also never been impressed with those tacky tabloid photos of people like Angelina Jolie in curlers and a housedress, picking up the newspaper off her front porch in the morning. Why is any of this necessary?

[yankee]

some how I believe MIKE

[personal space]

If the photographer was close enough to get punched he was in Tyson's and his family's personal space and deserved what he got and more.

[personal space]

If the photographer was close enough to get punched he was in Tyson's and his family's personal space and deserved what he got and more.

[Jean M]

What is WRONG with some of these paprazzi? Tyson's 4 year old daughter died in a tragic accident less than 6 months ago.
How about having the common human decency to leave the Tyson family alone for awhile, is that asking too much?

[Alonso]

Mike Tyson and most celebrities are targeted and needless to say, it might get a bit dicey. I'm always appalled at the way some newsmen confront people who've just experienced a tragedy and they ask the person what's it like to see a loved one die or have survived a deadly crash. Clearly the camera goons have no class or heart.

[Ghoster]

You think it's bad now? Just wait until the last week or month before the Anti Paparazzi Law goes into effect. There will be a "feeding frenzy" unlike none the world has ever seen, even in the days of Princess Diana.
Someone is going to get hurt or killed because that is what "the public" and the Paps want. I am amazed that it hasn't happened in Los Angeles yet.
When Maria Shriver got photographed by the paps talking on her cellphone while driving, Arnold said he would crack down....and that's exactly what he did.
I'm on the side of Mike Tyson on this one.

[Wil]

There are 3 things a sane person should never do with a camera: take a closeup in the wild of a Bengal Tiger; use your camera to get a Cobra to pose for a closeup; use your camera to harass Mike Tyson. Any of these "photo ops" can be harmful to your health.

[Beltway Greg]

Have to side with Iron Mike on this one. These leechtographers are a menace to public order. Getting on and off a plane is not a public event. Prize fights and movie premieres are public events. Of course this wouldn't have happened if it had been some teen pop star but the photographer stuck his camera in the wrong face. Mike is traveling with his wife and child through an airport which can be stressful under the best of circumstances. When you watch TMZ you witness cameramen who do their best to incite violence from the prey and follow them to their cars and pronounce them "good guys" if they don't bash them in the face which is what they really deserve. A picture of Mike Tyson getting off of a plane
is worth little. A picture of Mike Tyson bashing you in the face is worth plenty which is exactly what this virus with a camera was trying to incite.

[sad jose]

so by reading this article we are perpetuating the problem... weird.