Paparazzi shot at Britney bash

Showbiz

13:30 08 August 2005

A photographer has been shot in the leg outside a Los Angeles mansion, where pregnant Britney Spears attended a baby shower.

The singer was left in tears after photographer Brad Diaz accused her bodyguards of shooting him with a pellet gun, while he photographed the £1 million party from the street.

Diaz, 33, called the police and was taken to hospital, but doctors said the pellet was embedded too deep to remove and may cause permanent damage. He now plans to sue for millions.

Britney had organised the party to celebrate the upcoming birth of her first baby, rumoured to be a girl, due in September.

But the star was left distraught as armed police swooped on the home.

Guests, including a number of showbiz pals and Britney's sister, Jamie Lynn, 14, and mum Lynne, 47, hurried home after the incident.

Diaz said: "I am just in shock. I cannot believe this has happened. I am convinced the shot came from Britney's security guards. I am definitely going to press charges."

Britney's bodyguards strenuously deny shooting at Diaz, but police have warned the mystery gunman could face a charge of attempted murder.

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