LAX police have confirmed to Access Hollywood, which was the first news outlet to break the news online today, that Kanye West has been arrested at LAX.
Kanye was arrested at 7:51 AM this morning at the entrance to the security checkpoint for American Airlines at Terminal 4 on charges of battery and vandalism.
According to an eyewitness on the scene that spoke with Access, the incident began when Kanye approached a camera that was being aimed at him by a photographer.
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According to the gossip Web site TMZ.com, the paparazzo was attempting to photograph the rap star, when Kanye allegedly confronted the photographer, grabbing his camera and smashing it to the ground.
Airport security intervened and took Kanye and the photographer aside, and spoke to both of them, later releasing them both.
Kanye then approached the photographer getting “in his face,” Access’ witness said.
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A group of flight attendants also saw Kanye confront the photographer, according to the witness.
A TMZ photographer, Erik, who was also present, then attempted to videotape Kanye, when Kanye’s bodyguard allegedly grabbed TMZ’s video camera. A struggle reportedly ensued between the assistant and Erik, which caused Erik’s camera to smash to the ground (yes, this was the 2nd camera smashed to the ground)!
According to TMZ, Kanye then tried to board his plane, but overheard police talking with Erik about whether or not he had filmed the incident.
Kanye reportedly then approached Erik demanding the tape, yelling, “Gimme that f****** videotape!”
As the incident escalated, approximately eight LAX police officers apprehended Kanye, putting him in handcuffs, and took him and his bodyguard into custody, according to Access’ witness.
According to Access’ witness, LAX police did not detain either photographer.
The witness also noted that due to the anniversary of 9-11, police presence at the airport appeared to be higher than normal.
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