Sean Penn Son's Slur Stirs Outrage
Sean Penn's son Hopper has landed in hot water after allegedly exploding on paparazzi and using a racial slur on Tuesday.
Losing control of his temper, the 19-year-old was with his famous father in Beverly Hills when racial slurs were allegedly directed at photographers, according to Omg! Yahoo News.
Furthermore, Hopper's outburst was caught on video by TMZ.
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Explicit language was followed by a physical altercation between the teen and an African American photographer, according to the celebrity gossip website.
"You ******* kidding me," Hopper is heard saying during the clip. The photographer then slams the teen for being "just a kid" when Hopper adds several curse words and offensive slurs.
Hopper got very close to the photographer's face and shoved him, but fortunately, police officers that were nearby quickly joined the scene.
According to law enforcement insiders, the photographer in questions simply chalked the incident up to a verbal argument and did not wish to press charges, according to TMZ.
Meanwhile, Hopper offered a different explanation.
"I was accosted by paparazzi and made to feel like an animal - threatened and under attack, but that does not condone my own actions," said the son of the "Mystic River" actor.
"I deeply regret my choice of words," he added.
Heated outbursts are not uncommon in the Penn family. A past incident saw Sean Penn in a violent altercation with a photographer that involved kicking, resulting in a three-year probation for the actor.
Penn, 52, shares his son as well as a daughter, Dylan, with ex-wife Robin Wright.
Many celebrities have publicly lamented paparazzi following them in public areas; however, their complaints are often met with those who feel it is the price of stardom. The topic remains widely controversial, especially in Los Angeles, where laws are in motion to protect both celebrities and paparazzi.
Earlier this month, Justin Bieber admitted his rocky relationship with paparazzi while in London.
"My relationship with the media is not always easy but I'm trying," wrote the singer on his Twitter account. "Im all about the music and the performance and I respect my fans. I never have any intent to upset or let anyone down. And Im not okay with things being exaggerated once again sorry for anyone upset."
