Canadian musician Justin Bieber is swarmed by media and police officers as he turns himself into city police in Toronto on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Justin Bieber's Toronto appearance on Wednesday night had nothing to do with a concert or album signing. As most people know by now, the 19-year-old belatedly turned himself into the police after an incident last month involving a limousine driver.
In the hours since, there has been no shortage of news coverage, opinionated tweets and ongoing support.
Among the interesting details to emerge from yesterday's maelstrom:
CBC's online coverage noted that police officers "linked arms" to usher him through the crowd.
Global News included two videos of the star making his way into 52 Division, the Toronto Police headquarters on Dundas Street West, as well as one of him greeting fans at the Hazleton Hotel shortly afterward.
Bieber allegedly got into an altercation with the driver early in the morning on Dec. 30 outside a downtown nightclub.
There has been no shortage of pithy commentary on Twitter. From New York Daily News opinion editor Josh Greenman: "I repeat: If Justin Bieber keeps this up, some day he may grow up to be mayor of Toronto."
Some even took the opportunity to encourage proper grammar: "Of note: Justin Bieber turning himself in to police ≠ Justin Bieber turning himself into police," wrote local writer David Topping.
It has also been reported that a petition to revoke Bieber's Green Card and deport him back to Canada has been signed by over 100,000 people since its debut one week ago.
Posted on the White House petitions page, it describes the Biebs as "dangerous, reckless, destructive and drug abusing" and goes on to suggest that "he is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nations [sic] youth. We the people would like to remove Justin Bieber from our society."
Also on Wednesday evening, Bieber posted a photo of himself – specifically, the right side of his face – on Instagram accompanied by the caption "#confident," the name of his newest single. But between the chiaroscuro lighting and the furrowed brow, the pop sensation looks more like a boy who realizes a reprimand is nigh.
Nonetheless, the picture has been liked nearly 750,000 times and suggests that no amount of questionable behavior can make his Beliebers lose faith.
Amy Verner