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Subscribe to RSSPop superstar Justin Bieber called for a crackdown on paparazzi Wednesday after a photographer was killed as he tried to shoot pictures of Bieber's white Ferrari in Los Angeles — pictures that a veteran photographer said probably would have been worth no more than $100.
Gene Blevins / Reuters
Los Angeles police look over the car that struck and killed a celebrity photographer who was trying to take photographs of a Ferrari registered to pop star Justin Bieber on Jan. 1.
The photographer, a man in his late 20s whom police wouldn't identify until they can notify his next of kin, was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center shortly after he was run over by a passing motorist about 5:30 p.m. local time Tuesday, police said.
Authorities confirmed that Bieber, 18, wasn't in the Ferrari. It was being driven by a friend, whom they wouldn't identify, and it wasn't involved in the accident, police said.
David Allocca, who's photographed celebrities for many years, told NBC News that even if Bieber had been in the car, any shot the man took would likely have been worth little.
"A plain photo of Bieber in his car? Probably around $100, not more than $500," said Allocca, who's photographed Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Nicole Kidman and both Presidents Bush in a 30-year career. "I can guarantee that."
The incident took place after a California Highway Patrol officer flagged the Ferrari for speeding on the northbound lanes of Interstate 405, said Madeline Nightingale, watch commander of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Traffic Bureau. The car then exited at Sepulveda Boulevard and Getty Center Drive, she told NBC News.
During the traffic stop, the photographer crossed the busy Sepulveda thoroughfare, which runs parallel to the 405, and tried to shoot photos of the vehicle's occupants from a perch on the narrow divider, she said.
The Highway Patrol officer on the scene repeatedly warned the man that his position was dangerous, she said. The man was then struck by a car traveling southbound on Sepulveda, Nightingale said.
No charges were expected to be filed against the motorist, who stopped and tried to administer assistance, Nightingale told NBC News. The driver was a woman with two young children in the vehicle, Nightingale said.
Police in Los Angeles are investigating the death of a photographer who was hit by a car while trying to take pictures of a white Ferrari owned by pop star Justin Bieber. TODAY's Willie Geist reports.
Thibault Mauvilain, a celebrity photographer who went to the scene of Tuesday's accident, told reporters that he knew the photographer who was killed.
"He always played by the rules. I'm not aware of him doing anything illegal," Mauvilain said, according to NBC 4 of Los Angeles.
NBC Los Angeles: Man killed attempting to photograph Justin Bieber's Ferrari
"Some people will say he's just another crazy paparazzo trying to make the money. Actually, he was not a paparazzo. He was just another kid from New Mexico."
'Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation'
In a statement Wednesday, Bieber said: "While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim."
DCNYRE2013 - Getty Images
Justin Bieber wasn't in the car at the time of Tuesday's incident, police said.
He added: "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."
Justin Bieber tosses water bottle at Miami paparazzi
In fact, California has such a law. In 2010, the state cracked down on paparazzi, adding extra penalties for photographers who drive dangerously in pursuit of pictures they intend to sell.
But in November — in a case also involving a photographer who was hoping to get pictures of Bieber at a traffic stop — a Superior Court judge refused to apply it, saying it was unconstitutional.
Los Angeles City Council member Dennis Zine — who witnessed a previous paparazzi pursuit of Bieber in July, which ended with a photographer's being struck by a motorist — called on lawmakers Wednesday to give the law even more teeth.
"Unfortunately, the State law that passed in 2010 was not successful in a recent court case, so I would urge our State legislators to revisit the statute and make amendments in order to strengthen it and make it more effective," Zine, a Los Angeles reserve police officer, said in a statement.
The behavior of celebrity photographers has been widely denounced ever since 1997, when Princess Diana died in a French auto accident that was initially blamed on pursuing photographers. The wreck was subsequently blamed on Diana's driver.
The market value for many celebrity shots has fallen in recent years, Allocca said, and now it takes a "great photo" to earn big money.
Justin Bieber is the most Googled person on Earth. The pop star started as a viral sensation. He and his manager, Scooter Braun, discussed Bieber's journey and his future with Ryan Seacrest.
"With Instagram, with Twitter, with cellphones — everyone's got a point-and-shoot, everyone's got a camera wherever you go," he said.
"If he had a joint in his mouth, maybe a million bucks, to somebody," Allocca said. "But no one outlet is paying that money. Magazines aren't the first to get it anymore. The Internet gets it."
But celebrities continue to get caught up in dangerous incidents involving paparazzi:
- In June 2011, Tori Spelling backed her car into the wall of her children's school in Tarzana, Calif., as she was being pursued by a photographer.
"Wht will it take?" Spelling tweeted at the time. "Someone dying for paparazzi to stop?"
- In October 2009, a car driven by Nicole Richie was rear-ended by a car carrying two photographers in Beverly Hills, Calif. The driver was arrested and found to have no driver's license.
- The same month, Brad Pitt was riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles when a photographer trying to get a picture rear-ended the actor with his car. Pitt and the motorcycle fell over, but he was uninjured.
- In 2010, a photographer claimed that he was badly injured when a car in which Lindsay Lohan was riding ran him over outside a Hollywood nightclub. The photographer sued Lohan in January 2011; Lohan asked a court to dismiss the suit last summer.
- In June, Lohan was involved in another crash when her rented Porsche ran into a truck in Santa Monica, Calif., while allegedly fleeing a pack of chasing paparazzi.
Allocca said it was "stupid" that the photographer who was killed Tuesday died over a picture that eventually would have little value.
"All I can say is remember the New Kids on the Block. Remember Hanson," he said.
"Bieber will be there shortly as well."
Daniel Strieff of NBC News contributed to this report.
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Who would have thought cameras kill people, time to bring out the camera control. This guy would still be alive if they banned cameras.
The camera didn't kill the photographer, the cop with the gun did.
The only person I feel sorry for is the woman with her two children who hit him.
Haa! 1st Sergeant Fitz's wife, 4th Inf Div. Ft. Carson
That's where we were supposed to go after Hood, but we got Rock Island instead, needless to say hubby retired after a year there, we couldn't handle another winter in the frozen tundra ;) Hubby was 404th A Co. You?
Hat's off to you and your husband for what you have done for me and the country. Thank you!
Is there a dash cam video out there? I need a good laugh.
Beiber will be sued here. His loaning the car to someone that used it illegally (speeding) attributed to the death of the phtographer.
"But in November — in a case also involving a photographer who was hoping to get pictures of Bieber at a traffic stop — a Superior Court judge refused to apply it, saying it was unconstitutional."
STFU Justin, you're not important enough to matter.
As far as I can see, the paparazzi was killed because the cop at the scene ordered the photographer back into traffic after crossing the street!
Biebs trying his luck at influence peddling, ha just go away and the paparazzi will go with him. LOL use a car service fool.
We need tighter Canadian controls. Was he registered and will his car carry more that two 13 year olds?
Justin Beiber is a little moron. New Laws? You going to pay to enforce laws against people being stupid? You can't fix stupid.
You can fix your pants though. The only time I've seen this boy perform was on a New Year's Eve program a couple of days ago. Not sure if the pants didn't fit, were supposed to have the crotch around his knees or what, but obviously it wasn't comfortable because he kept pulling at his crotch the entire performance. That or he needs to go see a Dr. about that itch he's got......
The music kinda sucked too. Nothing special, I don't see what the fuss is about.
The Chinese have all our money and the Canadians and the Brits are making our laws. God Bless America.
Ward, don't be so hard on the Bieber.
I'm sorry for what happened to the photographer, whether he was a paparazzi or just someone trying to get a shot of Bieber. Why you would endanger your life for a picture of this arrogant little twit is beyond me.
1. I don't understand the need for anyone to comment on the ineptitude of the writer of this or any news story, especially some idiot who shows his or her own ineptitude in doing so. If something like this bothers you so much, don't read the stinking stories any more!
2. Why is it some feel the need to bash the celebrity in situations like this? Personally, I'm not much of a fan of Beiber's music (I'm 70 years old) but I am a huge fan of him. One very big reason is because what he did for little "Mrs. Beiber" was so precious, probably one of the few precious parts of her short life. I'm sure someone will say he just did it for the publicity. I highly doubt that but personally I wouldn't think less of him if that was his reason because it gave that little angel her own "15 minutes of fame", something she certainly deserved.
3. Why do so many think that if a person is a celebrity they should have to put up with constant harassment every time they go out in public? Just because doing what they are good at puts them in the public eye, are they to not be allowed any privacy whatsoever? They are still people, they do still eat and shop and vacation and do all the things that we ordinary people do. Why do you think they deserve to have people mobbing them or a camera shoved in their face every second they are out doing those things? I'm sure they expect and don't mind someone calling out to them, showing them they are appreciated for the entertainment they give but why should they be expected to put up with people who are just plain obnoxious and intrusive? So you spend you hard earned dollars on their music or their films. Do you think that entitles you to butt in on their lives if you get the chance and expect them to be oh so grateful to you for doing so? What about those around you? So what if you shove, trample or actually hurt someone else in your attempt to get to the celebrity? Do you really think the celebrity appreciates that kind of "adoration"?
Allie, you ask some very good questions. The question that needs to be asked is why do Americans find it so necessary to follow celebrities? Why is there even a market for these types of pictures?
I believe it's called 'Poetic Justice'.
There's really not much to be Constitutionally legislated here. As long as celebrity gossip remains a favorite guilty (or sometimes not-so-guilty candid) pleasure pastime, suggestive photos like this will continue to be worth a lot of money, and photographers will be willing to risk their lives for them, particularly if they can't find safer sources of income.
People should quit listening to idiots like this. Who deos he think he is? GOD?
all we need is a law, to keep Biebers mouth shut, and his ugly mug covered with 2 paperbags, and dont forget the plastic bag to smother his stupid asss
Isn't Bieber Canadian? He can't call for new laws here.
I think its all bs. I don't discriminate against anybody making a modest living unlike alot of people. I also don't buy into all the celebrity hype about the papparazzi either. Actors are just rich entitled a-holes, with extremely easy (and non-essential jobs), who want to b*tch about getting there picture taken. If you're so hurt Bieber, how about donating 10 million dollars to cover the wages of those whose jobs you want to ruin.
Darwin Award, pure and simple!
Justin Beaver is suppose to be a big shot and that comes with the territory. if he don't like it he should take that stupid microphone off his head and get a real job.
That's how I want to go out, taking a hundred dollars photo of a suv!! hell ya