UPDATE: Paparazzo Ran Over Identified as Chris Guerra

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Los Angeles, CA) Up and coming paparazzo, Chris Guerra, was struck by a vehicle last night after attempting to get photographs of singer Justin Bieber who the photographer believed to be in the car although later on it was found out he was not.

The tragedy happened around 6 pm on New Years day when the photographer followed a CHP officers order to go back to his car after taking pictures of Justin Bieber's Ferrari during the routine traffic stop.

Reluctant at first, paparazzo Chris Guerra followed the officers commands, only to be struck by a vehicle coming southbound on Sepulveda Blvd after trying to return to his car.

The person that hit the paparazzo was a female driver driving a large SUV who allegedly used her car to guard his body until help arrived after she struck him.  Chris Guerra was pronounced dead at UCLA hospital where he was taken.

It is now known that the person driving Justin Bieber's car was his new BFF, Lil Twist, who Justin has been partying it up with and even released a picture of himself and Lil Twist ringing in the New Year by drinking champagne in Mexico were it is "legal" for Justin to drink alcohol.

The paparazzi community is mourning the loss of one of our own - one paparazzo stating on Facebook - "Sad day for all LA paps, we might not always like each other or get along but we stand up for each other when needed one way or another."

While another paparazzo wrote - "Very sad news... I've met the guy not long ago, but long enough to know he was a good man... and even though he wasn't on the game for that long, he was one of the few new schoolers that played through the old school rules... R.I.P"

We are extremely saddened to have this tragedy have happened because it didn't happen due to a crazy chase or anything of the sort, it was just a tragic accident.  It could of happened to "any" journalist who was in the middle of covering what they thought to be a breaking story.

The young man involved was well liked and respected in the paparazzi community and had a very bright future in front of him as being a bona fide celebrity journalist who was learning how to the the job of paparazzi the old school way and not using the more aggressive tactics the new breed of paparazzi are known for.  It's a tragedy any way you slice it and our best thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Read more on this story here!
UPDATE: JUSTIN BIEBER "WAS" SMOKING MARIJUANA-HE WAS PHOTOGRAPHED SMOKING A MARIJUANA FILLED CIGAR AT PRIVATE PARTY.