On February 26, an Australian paparazzo accused Scott Taylor of physically attacking him as he tried to take pictures of Taylor Swift, Reuters reported. Taylor said she and her team were the ones being attacked and threatened by a couple of photographers as they got of a yacht on Neutral Bay wharf in Sydney. “Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,” her rep said in a statement.
Photographer Ben McDonald filed a complaint, prompting a police investigation. In the document, McDonald contended Scott punched him after Taylor’s security guards used umbrellas to prevent him from photographing her. Authorities wrapped up investigations on March 28, determining Scott’s actions merited no charges. “No offenses were detected, and the investigation was concluded with no further police action required,” New South Wales Police Force said in a statement, the AP reported.
The public reaction to the police decision was mixed. “The dude could kill someone and be let off scot free. She can do no wrong right?” one user wrote on X, previously known as Twitter. Many others agreed. “But if you or myself would’ve done it, we’d be in Season 13 Locked Up Abroad,” wrote argued. Others believe Scott’s reaction was warranted, given the paparazzi’s notorious intrusive behavior. “Taylor’s dad taught that paparazzi a lesson will never forget,” an X user said.
