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

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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!