Confusion Reigns At Justin Bieber's New York Appearance

Nothing says "hysteria" like a Justin Bieber promotional event. On Thursday in New York, the hysteria led to a scuffle involving New York police and Bieber's personal security team. The 17-year-old singer was at Macy's to launch his women's fragrance, Someday. Bieber took a moment to step outside to greet the throng of fans who had not made it inside for the event. In the ensuing frenzy, a man jumped a barricade, a confrontation occurred, and a member of Bieber's security team was issued a summons by the NYPD for disorderly conduct. How it all went down though is unclear because the chaos led to conflicting reports.

The man who jumped the barricade, described in initial reports as an attacker, was actually a plainclothes New York City police officer working the event. Numerous stories Thursday reported that Bieber had been injured. New York's ABC affiliate reported that Bieber was knocked to the ground by the officer. Some witnesses said that Bieber was tackled, while others reported the the singer threw punches, according to The Baltimore Sun. However, Bieber's camp denies that the singer was touched, reports USA Today. Bieber's publicist issued a statement Friday morning saying the whole thing was a misunderstanding.

Apparently, the plainclothes officer saw the crowds pushing too hard against the barricades. After leaping the barricades, he was accosted by Bieber's security team who did not recognize him. Both Bieber's detail and the NYPD escorted the singer back into the store. At that point, another of Bieber's bodyguards refused to step aside from the entrance, leading to his citation for disorderly conduct. A spokesperson for the NYPD issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter saying that the bodyguard was cited for failing to follow lawful order. The statement also noted that the only person touched in the incident was the bodyguard who received a citation.

Once Bieber was back in the store, the event went off without a hitch. The first 350 people to purchase the VIP package of the fragrance were treated to a photograph with the star. The launch of the perfume was part of a whirlwind few days in New York for Bieber that also included stops at The View, NBC's Today Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with David Letterman.