Mike Tyson Arrested After Allegedly Punching Photographer at LAX

Mike Tyson and a photographer made citizen's arrests of one another after getting into a scuffle Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport, police say.

At 4:30 p.m., the former boxing champ, 43, was passing through LAX from Europe en route to Las Vegas when a celebrity photographer began taking his picture at the United Airlines terminal, Sgt. Jim Holcomb tells PEOPLE.

"The two men got into a scuffle, and it's alleged that Tyson hit the photographer once in the face with one hand, causing him to fall to the ground," Holcomb says. "The photographer sustained a laceration to the forehead, and was taken to a local hospital."

Officers arrived on the scene and detained Tyson, who was booked at a nearby LAPD station and held on $20,000 bail, according to police records. Documents also show that Tyson was released at 8:24 p.m.

Tyson was reportedly traveling with his wife and 10-month-old baby. The incident was first reported by Radaronline.com.

"Mr. Tyson did absolutely nothing wrong, he was the victim in this case," his attorney, Richard Schonfeld tells PEOPLE. "We look forward to vindicating him and pursuing his rights."

Earlier this year, the boxer's 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, died in Phoenix after accidentally getting her neck wrapped in a cord from an exercise machine. In November 2007, Tyson was sentenced by an Arizona judge to 24 hours in jail and three years probation for drug possession and driving under the influence.

It remains to be seen whether the airport incident will be deemed a violation of his probation terms.

Paparazzi peeved: Mayor's film office changes the rule on giving out info on film shoot locations

The guy with the flash thinks this policy's trash.

The public will no longer be allowed to leaf through the weekly stack of city film permits - a longtime treasure-trove for celebrity-hunting paparazzi - at the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting.

Instead, starting Dec. 1, anyone who wants to see the permits, which detail when and where movies, TV shows and ads are being made, must request them in writing under the Freedom of Information Law.

Mayoral spokesman Andrew Brent said the film office is committed to turning over requested documents within a week.

Christopher Peterson, a photog with Buzz Foto agency, fretted that by the time the agency gives up the info the lights, cameras and action may be long gone.

"If you shut down Fifth Ave. so Angelina Jolie can [film a movie], you're not entitled to think you can just sort of cloak it and keep it from people," he said.

The 15-year-old policy of letting the public leaf through the permit pile is being changed in part because of staffing issues, office space constraints and complaints about copies being pocketed - not complaints from the stars, officials said.

The permits "were essential to a number of people making a living," said freelancer Dennis Van Tine, who has photographed news and celebs in the city for 13 years.

It's not just the paparazzi who call the change questionable. "Access to that information should be as easily and readily available as possible," said AP Senior Managing Editor Michael Oreskes.

Raise a Glass to A.J. Sokalner

Those of you who could not attend the funeral this past weekend, come "Raise a Glass to A.J. Sokalner" at The Black Door, 26th between 6th and 7th ave. Friday, November 13th, from 6-9pm.

Remember Veterans Day 

Honoring All Who Served

In Memorandum: Photographer AJ Sokalner

AJ Sokalner: Photographer and Friend

I had the distinct pleasure to be working shoulder to shoulder with him on that tragic night. I would like to share my story of the last hours I spent with AJ:

Photographers gathered outside Cipriani on 42nd Street well before 5pm for the7:30pm event.

We were working the ACE Awards. There was a group of about twenty five photographers working outside waiting for Lady Gaga to arrive. There wasn't much space to accommodate all the shooters. Photographers were two and three rows deep, on ladders, awaiting her arrival.


AJ was concerned about getting a spot, but managed to find a spot right next to me by the curb where the talent was arriving. AJ and I decided we would work together until "all hell broke loose" when she arrived. We couldn't block the sidewalk and obstruct the flow of pedestrian traffic. But, once she arrived, we decided we would swing out and get the shot.

Not to our surprise, Lady Gaga wasn't to show up until about 9pm.

During that time, AJ and I were having one of our usual sarcastic conversations. We poked fun at the nature of our business, we reminisced about previous events we had covered together. We even got into a funny conversation about STP. "The gas company with the orange logo?", I asked. "That's tells me how old you are!" AJ responded, as he was referring to a LSD-like drug from the 60's. He always had great wit to his words. We had spent a good four hours together, shooting the breeze and passing the time with humor.

Lady Gaga arrives and AJ and I sprung into action. Just our luck, she posed right in front of us! We shot like madmen, lighting up the night with a barrage of flashes.

As she went inside we all started to pack up our gear and seek warmth from the chill in the air. I had just left my spot and said my goodbyes to everyone when someone yelled "AJ fell..."

I ran back to where he and I had been standing just a minute prior and saw AJ on the ground. I ran up to him and touched his face "AJ, AJ...you alright?" I got no response. "AJ?". People gathered around, the other photographers now noticed what had happened. "Call 911!', someone yelled. A bystander said he knew CPR. "Get in there!" I yelled. He started to pump his chest. Where's the ambulance? Within minutes we saw EMS coming down 42nd Street. We ran into the street, waving frantically to alert them to our position.

An EMT woman was first on the scene to attend to AJ. She started to pump his chest. Another EMT brought out a heart monitor. They went to work on helping AJ right there. Fire engines arrived, police arrived. Another ambulance arrived. They brought out a stretcher and transported him to the ambulance.

They worked on AJ, pumping his chest. They were doing everything in the world to help him. "Hold on AJ!", I yelled into the ambulance. We all stood there, feeling helpless, hoping our friend was ok.

We all started to call people he knew, his girlfriend, his job. We all wanted to make sure he was alright. A few photographers went to the hospital. Another photographer picked up his girlfriend and dropped her off at the hospital.

After everyone had left, a group of us stood outside Cipriani's dazed. What just happened?

It was about 10:50pm when I heard that AJ passed away. I called and let a few of my colleagues know about the tragic event.

AJ, we will miss you buddy.
Erik Pendzich

Funeral Service for AJ Sokalner:

Friday, November 6, 2009, 10:30am

Beth Israel Memorial Park

Woodbridge, NJ

Nicole Richie gets restraining order against 2 paparazzi

Nicole Richie and her team of lawyers have successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against paparazzi Eduardo “Bam Bam” Arriveben and Ivon Miguel, TMZ.com reports.

The two photographers have been ordered to stay 100 yards away from Richie, 28, her two children (daughter Harlow, 20 months, and son Sparrow, 6 weeks) and her staff. Richie’s statement notes that the duo harass her “on a daily basis” and have been “stalking our home, as we try to go about living our lives.”

On Oct. 6, the two photographers rear-ended Richie’s Land Rover, leading her to seek private medical treatment for minor injuries. Arriveben, the driver in the incident, was arrested for driving without a license.