Justin Bieber has called for tougher laws to control paparazzi after a 29-year-old photographer was killed by a passing car just after snapping shots of the star’s white Ferrari. The death on a Los Angeles street has triggered renewed debate over the dangers paparazzi can bring on themselves and the celebrities they chase. Previous calls for action have been blocked by the US constitution’s First Amendment protections. In a statement, Bieber said his prayers were with the photographer’s family. Ironically, the singer wasn’t even in the Ferrari on Tuesday. “Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves,” Bieber said in the statement released by Island Def Jam Music Group. Authorities have withheld the name of the photographer, killed after being hit by a Toyota Highlander, pending notification of relatives. Much of Hollywood was abuzz about the death, including Miley Cyrus, who sent several tweets critical of some of the actions of paparazzi and lamenting that the unfortunate accident was “bound to happen.” “Hope this paparazzi/JB accident brings on some changes in ‘13,” Cyrus said on her Twitter page. “Paparazzi are dangerous! Wasn’t Princess Di enough of a wake-up call?!” Paparazzi roaming the streets of Southern California have been commonplace for more than a decade as they look to land exclusive shots that can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. Industry veterans recalled incidents where paparazzi chasing celebrities have been injured, but they couldn’t remember a photographer being killed while working. “Here in the state of California, I’m surprised this hasn’t happened before,” said Giles Harrison, a celebrity photographer and owner of London Entertainment Group.
