Kanye West Claims Photographer Altercation Was Self Defense

It was self defense! Kanye West is now claiming his headline-making scuffle with a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport on July 19th occurred because the hip hop star feared for his safety.

The 36-year-old, who allegedly attacked videographer Daniel Ramos outside LAX and was subsequently charged with criminal battery and attempted grand theft, is now claiming that he acted in self defense. According to papers followed by his lawyer, West claims that as he was leaving the airport Ramos was trying to provoke him as he attempted to get in his waiting car and that, "his safety was in immediate danger."

Kim Kardashian's main squeeze says that his actions were, "necessary for his self-defense and safety and was justified in doing those acts."

After the altercation, the Yeezus singer left the scene and an ambulance arrived and transported Ramos, who is suing West in a civil suit, to a hospital. If convicted on the criminal charges, the Grammy faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Check out our video of the incident. Do you think Kanye was in "immediate danger"?