Justin Bieber wanted in battery case with paparazzo, detectives looking for witnesses

Officials want to get Bieber's side of the story

Pop star Justin Bieber is wanted in relation to a battery case, in which he allegedly got into a physical altercation with a photographer as he and girlfriend Selena Gomez were at a mall. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is looking to talk to Bieber and Gomez about the incident and are searching for witnesses.

TMZ reported on Sunday, just hours after the event took place, that Bieber is a suspect in a criminal battery case.

The Boyfriend singer and Gomez were at the Commons mall in Calabasas. A paparazzo tried to take his picture, but Bieber allegedly got physical with the photographer, who complained of pain in his torso. The photographer was actually taken to a local hospital and examined, but was released.

He later filed a police report, naming Bieber as the person who attacked him.

Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times early Tuesday morning that they are trying to get a hold of Bieber so that he can explain his side of the story. They are also trying to figure out what happened and are hoping that, since it happened in public, that there will be witnesses willing to talk. The sources also stressed that the investigation is in its early stages.

We would like to talk to all potential witnesses, Capt. Mike Parker told the Times.

TMZ was told that several witnesses saw a lawyer approach the photographer to tell him that he could make some money out of the incident. The lawyer also suggested that he should file a report and to call an ambulance.

Witnesses also say that he was blocking Biebers car, making it impossible for Bieber to leave the mall. The fight occurred after Bieber got out and the photographer refused to move.

A representative for ! Bieber h as yet to comment on the situation.