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Photographer Hit and Killed Snapping Photos of Justin Bieber’s Ferrari

Jan. 2, 2013 9:10am Madeleine Morgenstern

Getty Images

A paparazzo was hit by a car and killed after snapping photos of Justin Bieber’s Ferrari in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Police said Bieber’s white sports car was pulled over for a traffic stop off an L.A. freeway shortly before 6 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Times. The 18-year-old pop star was not inside the vehicle. The 29-year-old photographer, who has not been named, got out of his own car and crossed the street to take photos.

Police told the photographer to return to his vehicle because it was a busy street with blind spots and speeding cars, KTLA-TV reported.

“He seemed reluctant to go back, but eventually he did,” LAPD Sgt. Rudy Lopez told the station.

Lopez said the photographer did not appear to be looking as he crossed the street and was struck by a car. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a nearby hospital.

In a statement, Bieber called for “meaningful legislation” to protect celebrities and others from the paparazzi.

“While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Bieber said, according to CNN. “Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves.”

No charges are expected against the motorist who hit the photographer.

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Comments (29)

moonlight on the bay
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 9:38pm
It’s hard to feel sorry for the photographer when, most of the time, they’re tripping over each to snap that winning picture or blocking a celebrity’s car so they can’t even drive away. How would they like being mobbed like that? I don’t expect celebrities to have privacy every time they’re out in public, but the paparazzi can be relentless. This photographer was lucky to make it across freeway the FIRST time. Wonder how he would have felt if he’d only been INJURED and looked up to see a throng of photographers surrounding him to get a shot of HIM?? Wonder if he even got close enough for a second to see it wasn’t even Justin? The bonehead pulled over, crossed the freeway for what he thought would be an exclusive photo, and Justin wasn’t even there. I don’t think what the guy would have made for this photo was worth risking his life like he did.

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Balpit
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:15pm
The proposed meaningful legislation should be aimed squarely at Paparazzi and other media vultures.

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BigdaddyK
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 2:17pm
Dang! I misread the headline thinking it said “Photographer snaps pic of Justin Bieber hit and killed by car”.

Oh well. Maybe next time.

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- moonlight on the bay
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 9:09pm
  Now, now . . . . . I’m not fan of his at my age, but let’s not wish things like that.
  
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Coyote1953
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 1:18pm
**** celebrities, they aren’t special and contribute little to humanity.

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BmanIII
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:43pm
Would it have been worth it IF she, beiber, had been in the car?

What would these “celebrities” do if the morons, aka paparazzi’s, were to be banned from following them?

Would the celebs then begin to follow them shouting “Take my pic, take my pic, pleeeeaaaase!”
Would People Magazine go out of business?
Enquiring minds want to know…… NOT

Stupid is as stupid does. Hopefully the camera wasn’t injured during this fiasco.

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- harley3
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:50pm
  Love the last line in this post. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
  
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bhosux
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:34pm
Move along people . Nothing of importance to see here.

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tomagolledge
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:25am
Yes, I agree; ban Biebers, ban traffic stops, ban high capacity SD cards…if it save just one paprazzi’s life, it will have been worth it.
Just kidding, I don’t care what happens to paparazzi. http://www.youtube.com.qr.net/j36H/

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- SeekerEmerald
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:09pm
  As a photographer who will stop at some scenes to grab some news photos, I have sympathy for this guy, but it was (apparently) his fault for not looking. There are risks, and I am prepared for that, but this is just an excuse for this star to try and legislate more privacy for himself than other people enjoy.
  
  I can take photos of any person in a public place, such as this traffic stop for example, but Justin wants SPECIAL rights that the average Joe doesn’t have? Sorry… No deal. You want fame and fortune? It comes with a price. That’s a price I know that I don’t want to pay.
  
  Just like anybody else, you have the reasonable expectation of privacy in places where people expect it, and nothing beyond that.
  
  Fortune I’ll take, but fame you can keep.
  
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- Tipdog
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 1:51pm
  Your right seeker, but, the average person is not dangerously hounded by photographers who will stop at nothing short of murder to get ‘the shot’. Perhaps stalking laws should be enforced or something. I don’t think legislation is the answer.
  
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FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:25am
Ban Justin Biebers (whoever that is)!

DEMAND A PLAN!

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- woodyee
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:06pm
  Nice! His fanboy-website ought to be deluged with comments about this killing and calls for him to “Demand A Plan!”
  
  Little piece of used and stained toilet paper…
  
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termyt
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:06am
The laws already exist, Beebs. What the photog was doing is called J-Walking. Please stop asking for more and more laws.

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- BasketFullOfPuppies
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:19am
  Agreed. More laws are not what we need. A measure of common sense will do wonders to preserve your life. I’m also for not asking entertainers for legal advice.
  
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woodyee
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:05am
In a statement, Bieber called for “meaningful legislation” to protect celebrities and others from the paparazzi.

BAN CARS, Sacramento!!! You bunch of anti-American scombegs!

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- drattastic
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:34am
  The police officer is clearly responsible ,he ordered him back to his car . Ban the police they are a danger to society plus they carry guns so you know they are bad.
  
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Tri-ox
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:52am
Paparazzi make awesome speed bumps.

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the bean
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:48am
At least he died doing something important and worthwhile……

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USPATRIOT101
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:47am
Next story please.

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702TruthSeeker
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:42am
ban cars

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- Cavallo
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:03am
  They would if every death, injury, or accident was met with the same pants wetting, diaper soiling limp wristed hysteria that every firearm altercation is met with. As an amusing exercise, every time you hear of a car accident, replace the details with firearms, and then imagine how the public would react. All that changes it he mechanism involved. For example”
  
  A paparazzo was shot by an assault rifle and killed after snapping photos of Justin Bieber’s Ferrari in Los Angeles on Tuesday. … Lopez said the photographer did not appear to be looking as he crossed the street and was struck by a bullet. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a nearby hospital.
  
  In a statement, Bieber called for “meaningful legislation” to protect celebrities and others from the paparazzi.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 1:38pm
  Ban tires. No cars on the road. No bicycles to dodge. No semis to pass. No yards to mow. By banning tires, we end a variety of accident causing technologies.
  
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Watchyer6
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:32am
We must immediately pass a law banning these “assault” photographers.

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Eastinfection
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:29am
“No charges are expected against the motorist who hit the photographer.”

Finally… Lindsay Lohan catches a break!

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- biohazard23
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:40am
  OMG, ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!
  
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- Chromo200
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 2:01pm
  Made my day .. I was a feeling a little blue but a good laugh took the blues away … Thanks EASTINFECTION
  
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- moonlight on the bay
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 9:15pm
  Wouldn’t THAT be ironic, the photographer just happens to be hit by a celebrity.
  
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Taurnil
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 10:24am
Yes Justin you are part of the “elite” therefore require “special” laws. Just step down from your high Ferrari, I mean Horse.

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