Pop singer Justin Bieber is being investigated for battery after allegedly hitting a paparazzo who tried to take pictures of him, California authorities said.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon outside the Calabasas mall The Commons, TMZ.com reported.

Police said Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez were leaving the mall when a photographer, whose name was not reported, attempted to take Bieber’s picture.

Bieber allegedly got out of his car and got into some sort of altercation with the photographer, KABC-TV, Los Angeles, reported.

The photographer told police Bieber hit him in the face then left the scene with Gomez.

Police said the photographer complained of pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was later released.

The photographer filed a criminal report with police on allegations of battery.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating the incident. (UPI)