LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - A photographer for the St. Petersburg Times has filed a lawsuit against R&B singers Rihanna and Chris Brown, the newspaper reported Wednesday.

Luis Santana says he was at the Vintage Ultra Lounge on May 6 when he snapped a picture of Rihanna and Brown in the parking lot. Brown's body guards allegedly chased after Santana, knocked him down, took his camera and kicked him.

"I couldn't believe it was happening," the photographer said. "I've done this many, many times before and never have I ever gotten close to being grabbed. There's a dark side to celebrities and nightlife."

Brown was reportedly celebrating his birthday at the time of the incident.

"I don't think celebrities should be able to fly in to Tampa, beat up on our local newspaper photographers and get away with it," said Paul Kimsey, Santana's attorney. "He didn't do anything wrong."

Brown's attorney, Kenneth Meiselas, released a statement saying "neither Chris Brown nor his security was involved in the alleged incident."