Louis Tomlinson Arrested For Simple Battery At LAX

Singer and One Direction band member Louis Tomlinson was arrested for simple battery Friday night after he allegedly pulled a photographer to the floor by his legs, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head and back on the ground, authorities said.

Los Angeles airport police were called to a disturbance at the Terminal 4 baggage claim around 8:25 p.m. Friday.

A police investigation revealed that the 25-year-old singer was involved in a physical altercation with a photographer, airport police officer Alicia Hernandez, said in an emailed statement to Patch. Witnesses said Tomlinson pulled "pulled the photographer to the floor by his legs causing the victim to fall backwards and strike his back and head on the floor," Hernandez said.

Tomlinson was traveling with a female companion. According to the BBC, Tomlinson and his girlfriend Eleanor Calder, were returning after a holiday in Las Vegas.

A female witness began to video record Calder as she attempted to leave and an altercation took place between the two, Hernandez said. Tomlinson allegedly intervened and attempted to take the witnesses' cellphone, grabbing her by the waist and causing her to fall to the floor.

The female witness was struck in the eye during the altercation, Hernandez said. The photographer was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The female witness was treated on scene and released.

Both the photographer and the female witness filed private person arrest statements. Jail records show Tomlinson was arrested under a "citizen arrest." He was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor.

Bail was set at $20,000 and he was released early Saturday morning. Tomlinson was given a court date of March 29.

"The paparazzi provoked and caused the altercation that occurred with Louis at the airport this morning. This is not the first or last time that a paparazzi has created an altercation with a celebrity. 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," Tomlinson's lawyer, Marty Singer, said in a statement to Rolling Stone.

Image Credit: Joel Ryan/ Invision/ Associated Press