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Justin Bieber reported involved in altercation

VANCOUVER — Canadian pop star Justin Bieber is making international headlines after reports he was caught up in an altercation during a laser tag game near Vancouver.

VANCOUVER — Canadian pop star Justin Bieber is making international headlines after reports he was caught up in an altercation during a laser tag game near Vancouver.

RCMP are investigating allegations a 12-year-old boy was assaulted at an entertainment facility in suburban Richmond by another boy, who media reports have identified as Bieber.

The boy’s father filed a complaint with police two hours after the incident occurred on Friday evening, said Cpl. Annie Linteau.

“The boy sustained minimal injuries and did not require medical attention at the time,” she said on Sunday.

Linteau said officers are speaking to individuals who may have witnessed the incident, but no further information is available.

Police said they’re aware of speculation on some media websites that the 12-year-old boy alleges 16-year-old Bieber slapped him, but would not confirm either boy’s identity.

“We would like to remind the public that we do not release the names of any suspect until charges have been laid,” said a release put out Sunday afternoon in response to the media attention.

“In cases where the accused is under the age of 18, the identity of the accused is not released as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.”

Celebrity gossip website TMZ.com has quoted unnamed sources who say a boy went out of his way to target Bieber during a game of laser tag.

A boy used a homophobic slur against Bieber, TMZ reported in a story posted prominently on its site.

It says the two boys exchanged words, and the younger boy put his hand out toward Bieber who pushed it away as he left.

But TMZ reported Bieber never struck the boy.

The teen heartthrob, from Stratford, Ont., is in Vancouver for a concert on Tuesday.

Asked about the incident, a young man working behind the counter at Planet Laser refused to comment.

“We’re not allowed to talk about it,” he said Sunday afternoon, as excited children checked their scorecards and played arcade games in the small lobby.

Parents shuttled their children into the busy centre, past a sign on the door reading “No media allowed on premises!”

“As a parent, I would first have to find out if it happened accidentally or if it was just celebrity behaviour thinking ‘You’re in my way, you have to move,”’ said Isabella Chang from Vancouver, whose 10-year-old son was attending a birthday party.

“But if my son got physically hurt, I’m sure I would take the necessary action.”

Cindy Partridge, whose 13-year-old son was also playing lazer tag, said she can see both sides of the story.

“I can see the parents blowing it out of proportion — to get their three minutes of fame — but I can see Justin Bieber thinking that because he’s as a superstar, the rules are different for him.”

One father, who didn’t give his name, chuckled about the incident.

“It was probably an accident and now somebody’s hoping for a payday,” he said.