By Jen Heger - Breaking Celebrity News Assistant Managing Editor

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department want to speak to Justin Bieber and his girlfriend, Selena Gomez, after a photographer accused the singer of assaulting him, but contrary to reports, the case hasn't been turned over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office yet, Breaking Celebrity News is exclusively reporting.

Bieber and Gomez were in Calabasas on Sunday when he got into a scuffle with paparazzo Jose Sarros. Words were exchanged and the photographer claims Bieber hit him. Sorros called 911, filed a report with the police and went to the hospital to be checked out. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the matter as misdemeanor battery.

"The case hasn't been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office because the investigation is only just beginning. The only statement that has been given is from the alleged victim and other eyewitnesses, including Mr. Bieber's girlfriend, Selena Gomez, need to be interviewed. At some point very soon, I anticipate that detectives will formally reach out to Justin Bieber for a request for an interview, although he isn't under any obligation to do so and neither is his girlfriend," Sergeant Michael Holland, lead detective at the Malibu/Lost Hills station told Breaking Celebrity News exclusively.

Eyewitnesses at the scene have claimed that the photographer provoked Bieber into the alleged attack.

"Justin's car was being blocked in by Jose and he had to get out of his vehicle to ask him to move so he could leave," a source tells Breaking Celebrity News. "It was absolutely instigated by the photographer and could have been avoided