Rihanna Beating Photo Leaked, Sparks Police Probe

Zap2It.com | February 20, 2009

Rihanna beating photo, TMZ

Photo reportedly taken at the police station after alleged fight with Chris Brown

A brutal photo of a person that appears to be singer Rihanna has surfaced, causing shock, dismay and outrage in those who view it.

Muckraking website TMZ.com released a leaked photo of Rihanna Thursday night (Feb. 19) that's reportedly linked to the Chris Brown domestic violence case.

Check out the full-sized Rihanna beating photo.

And while many are horrified at the bruised and bloodied face, the Los Angeles Police Department is also horrified that the photo somehow got out and was posted on the Internet, reports the LA Times.

"The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence," reads an official statement by the LAPD. "The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint. A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination."

The case stems from a Feb. 8 arrest in which singer Chris Brown was taken into custody for allegedly beating a woman who was later identified as Rihanna. Both singers were missing from their scheduled Grammy appearances that night. Brown is currently out on bail and has issued an apology.

The backlash against Brown has been ongoing since the incident was first reported. Besides public outcry, his Wrigley Doublemint gum and Got Milk ads were halted, and a mixed martial artist in Los Angeles created a Facebook group for those who want to challenge Brown to a fight.