Pop star Louis Tomlinson is accused of attacking a photographer.
One Direction star is accused of fighting with a photographer.
One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson was arrested Friday night after he allegedly dragged a photographer to the ground and then went after a woman taking cellphone video at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.
Tomlinson, 25, was arrested on a charge of simple battery and released after posting bond of $20,000 early Saturday morning, according to the L.A. County Sheriff ’s Department Inmate Information Center.
Tomlinson was with a female companion when the altercation occurred at the Terminal 4 baggage claim around 8:25 p.m., LAX police said in a statement.
The pop boy band singer pulled the photographer, causing him to fall backward and strike his head on the floor, witnesses told police.
Tomlinson also attempted to take a cellphone away from a woman who was recording his companion, authorities said.
The singer grabbed the woman by the waist, causing her to fall to the floor, police said. She was also struck in the eye during the incident.
Martin Singer, Tomlinson’s attorney, issued the following statement: “The paparazzi provoked and caused the altercation that occurred with Louis at the airport this morning…. While the altercation was going on with the paparazzi, three other individuals were attacking his girlfriend during this incident and he came to her defense.”
The photographer was taken to a hospital for treatment, and the woman taking the cellphone video was treated at the scene, police said. Both filed citizen’s arrest statements.
Tomlinson has a scheduled March 29 court date.