New York paparazzo Sheng Li deliberately kicked Lara Bingle in the shin while he was aggressively shooting the model and her Australian actor boyfriend Sam Worthington on a Manhattan street, according to the NYPD.
Worthington retaliated by punching Li in the face, NYPD lieutenant John Grimpel told AAP.
"The photographer had lacerations to his nose and bruising to his forehead," Lt Grimpel said.
The altercation happened on a Greenwich Village street corner about 5.30pm on Sunday US time (Monday AEDT) when Li was taking photos of the Australian couple.
"Li was blocking her path and taking pictures of her," Lt Grimpel said.
"He then, for some reason, kicks her in the shin.
"He is then punched by Worthington and they are both taken into custody."
Asked if the NYPD believed Li kicked Bingle accidentally, Lt Grimpel replied: "I wouldn't think so. No".
Perth-raised Worthington, 37, star of the biggest box office film in history, Avatar, was charged with assault and released from custody soon after his arrest.
He is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan court on Wednesday.
Li was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and harassment and will have to face a judge before his release.
"He will be going down to court," Lt Grimpel said.
"He will either see a judge tonight or sometime tomorrow (Monday)."
In November 2012 Worthington was accused of shoving a bouncer at a Bar and Grill in Atlanta and charged with disorderly conduct.
The charges were later thrown out after the bouncer failed to turn up at court.
Bingle, 26, and Worthington confirmed in October they were dating.
