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Police: Chris Brown allegedly punched club photographer in Tampa

Posted at 2:08 PM, Apr 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-18 16:48:44-04

According to Tampa Police Department, singer Chris Brown allegedly "sucker punched" a photographer at AJA Channelside.

The alleged incident happened at 1:00 a.m. Monday during an after party event at the club Brown was paid to be at.

Bennie L. Vines, 38, is a photographer for AJA Channelside, and says that as he was taking photos, Brown sucker punched him.

One of the club's owners, Robert Solomon, says Brown stayed only 3-5 minutes instead of the hour he was supposed to, and the club lost tens of thousands of dollars in the incident.

"It wasn't a brawl, Brown punched a photog for the club and walked out," he said.

Joseph Panebianco went with some friends to get a glimpse of the singer and instead ended up with a video that's been seen by people all around the US.

"It was pretty much like a shame going there and seeing that," said Panebianco. 

The group waited for hours outside of the club to see Brown, who was supposed to be there for an hour, but instead left after just a few minutes after the punch.

"That's just wrong I think," said Anthony Nicolo, "So he lost me as a fan."

Brown was gone from the scene by the time officers were contacted and arrived. Vines now wants to prosecute for a minor laceration to his lip.

Medical attention was refused and the investigation continues.