Axl Rose Punches Paparazzi at LAX

Axl Rose was involved in a scuffle with the paparazzi Wednesday as he and his female traveling companion were at LAX en route to Taiwan where Guns n' Roses are scheduled to play the Taipei County Stadium December 11 in support of Chinese Democracy.

Rose's public relations firm Levine Communications posted a statement to the band's MySpace page saying Axl was "unhurt when accosted by an unruly group of paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport." Rose was about to enter a security checkpoint, and "was approached by a group of unchecked and unruly photographers who became aggressive with the singer and female member of the traveling group."

Although there have been no crime reports or radio calls of the incident, a video captures Rose punching another person at the Tom Bradley International Terminal near a police officer. Airport Police reports no officers were present when the altercation occurred.

TMZ claims the paparazzi has the footage of Rose initiating the attack and punching him in the head. The photographer, who has not released his name to the press, said Rose's female companion became confrontational after paparazzi were trying to take her picture. Rose saw the struggle and "instantly started throwing punches." The footage of the incident has yet to be produced.

LAX is a known hotbed for altercation with paparazzi that prey on celebrities in the boarding area. The most recent event happened last month with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson who punched a photographer sending him to the hospital. Both parties were booked and charged on a misdemeanor battery.