Justin Bieber 2013: Singer Sued by Paparazzi For MMA-Style Attack While Dating Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber has been all over the news for rumors and complaints about the pop star's supposedly unlawful behavior. Today's example is a little more awesome because it involves mixed martial arts-style assault.
A member of the paparazzi, Jose Osmin Hernandez Duran, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Bieber assaulted him in the parking lot of a shopping center new the pop star's home in Calabasas, CA. According to the suit, Duran was waiting for Bieber to emerge from a movie theater while out on a date with then-girlfriend Selena Gomez. When the pair emerged, they entered Bieber's Mercedes without acknowledging the photographer.
Interruption: Yes, this happened more than a year ago. Why the lawsuit now, only Duran knows for sure. But here's where it gets interesting.
Suddenly, in an apparent unprovoked rage, Bieber left the vehicle and began walking toward Duran. According to the report, Bieber launched himself from "six to eight feet away" and delivered a karate kick to Duran's stomach, and followed it up with a regular punch to the face.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for "severe and extreme emotional distress" (note: distress that is both severe AND extreme!) and negligence. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday and Bieber's public relations team has yet to make a comment on it, but fans can expect the response to cover topics such as Bieber's ninja skills and why a photographer needs a year to decide that he's suffering from distress so epic that it deserves criminal damages.
It should also be noted that Duran claims to have reported the incident to police at the time, and the police didn't see fit to charge Bieber with anything.