Axl Rose Punches Unruly Paparazzo

Axl was on his way to Taipei, Taiwan where Guns N’ Roses performed at Taipei County Stadium today, marking the band’s first show in support of 2008’s Chinese Democracy album and first gig in more than two years.

Guns N’ Roses posted the following statement on the band’s MySpace page last night, titled “Axl Rose Accosted by Belligerent Paparazzi at LAX.”

“Axl Rose, lead singer for the legendary rock group Guns N’ Roses, was unhurt last evening when he was accosted by an unruly group of paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). … Mr. Rose, who was about to enter a security checkpoint at LAX when the altercation took place, was approached by a group of unchecked and unruly photographers who became aggressive with the singer and female members of the traveling group. Mr. Rose was not injured during the unprovoked attack and was able to board his flight without further incident.”

A video posted on TMZ.com shows Rose walking through the airport towards the security checkpoint and then warning a group of paparazzi, “Touch her again, I’ll break that guy’s f***ing neck.”

The singer asks “Where’s Sasha?” and gestures to a woman to join his side.

He then wanders over to a group of paparazzi and punches one of the photographers in the head. The paparazzo falls to the ground, as does Rose’s hat. The woman and Rose’s entourage drag the singer away from the situation, stopping to pick up his hat.

According to TMZ.com, “In the footage, it’s clear two TSA agents observed the fight, but we’ve learned they never notified airport police.”

After performing in Taiwan, Guns N’ Roses play Osaka, Japan, Dec. 16 followed by a show in Tokyo Dec. 19.

On Jan. 10 the band kicks off its Canadian tour, playing MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with dates on the books through a Feb. 4 show at Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Click here for Guns N’ Roses’ MySpace page.

Click here for the TMZ.com story.