Justin Bieber Heads To Europe For Secret Shows Amid Paparazzi Scandal

Becky Bain | May 29, 2012 1:15 pm

After having a — shall we say, eventful — Memorial Day, Justin Bieber has jetted off to Europe for a handful of promotional appearances for his forthcoming album, Believe. “OFF TO EUROPE! PHASE 1 of operation secret concerts! lol. OSLO first stop. See u soon,” tweeted Bieber, who is apparently surprising his European fans with some surprise live shows. (His first scheduled performance is June 9 in London.) We hope the singer enjoys his time on the other side of the Atlantic, because when he returns, he may have to spend some time talking with the police, as Bieber is now a suspect in a criminal battery investigation stemming from his recent run-in with a paparazzi.

On Monday (May 28), Justin Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez were involved in a scuffle with a member of the paparazzi that reportedly turned physical. According to witnesses who saw the fight break out, a photographer was blocking Bieber’s car as he parked at the Calabasas Commons mall. Bieber exited his car and asked the man to move; when he would not, a physical altercation ensued, leaving Bieber without a shoe and the photog with a blow to the face. (Gossip Center has pics of the showdown, though we see no photographic evidence of Bieber hitting the cameraman.)

The photographer filed a police report, and now police are investigating the incident as a misdemeanor battery case. They’re reportedly looking to speak to Bieber, Gomez and other witnesses, though they may have to wait to speak to the “All Around The World” singer when he returns from his promotional obligations in Europe.

Before you start condemning Bieber’s violent actions quite yet, witnesses reported that a lawyer approached the photographer after Bieber had left, claiming that he could get “a lot of money” from the altercation, and advised him to call an ambulance and file a police report. So there’s a slight chance that the 18-year-old pop star may not have done quite as much physical damage to the photog than he would otherwise want you (and the police) to believe.

[Via MTV]