Comedian Dave Chappelle Attacked Onstage During Stand-Up Routine In Los Angeles
A scary incident occurred during Dave Chappelle‘s stand-up routine in Los Angeles when a person from the audience rushed the stage and tackled the 48-year-old.
Here are some of the details about what took place including what fellow comedian Chris Rock said after it happened and what other celebrities came to Chappelle’s aid and went after the alleged attacker.
What the LAPD said about the incident so far
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to NBC News that a male suspect, armed with a replica gun that could eject a knife blade, ran up onto the stage during Chappelle’s routine on May 3 at the Hollywood Bowl in LA. The former Chappelle’s Show star was performing as part of the Netflix Is A Joke festival.
According to a report by Esquire: “Dave Chappelle was just finishing his show. He was doing his final commentary as he usually does asking for the OG comedians to come back on stage so he can have the crowd give them a round of applause … Suddenly a random person sitting in the front row jumped on stage and ran straight at him. He tackled Dave and they both went to the floor and began wrestling when everyone ran onstage to help, including Dave’s security.”
That suspect was then brought down by security and two very famous celebrities.
Jamie Foxx and Busta Rhymes reportedly helped security take the suspect down
Eyewitnesses told TMZ that two stars helped Chappelle’s security team take care of the suspect identified as 23-year-old Isaiah Lee. They said: “The mob caught up with him and beat the crap out of him, stomping on him.” According to those witnesses, actor Jamie Foxx and rapper Busta Rhymes were involved in the melee too and “got a few licks in.”
Chappelle, who was not injured in the attack, then thanked Foxx saying: “Shout out to Jamie Foxx by the way … Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat.” Foxx then came out on stage and the two recounted what went down together.
Chappelle praised Busta as well: “I seen Busta Rhymes, he was like, ‘That’s how you do it.'”
Lee was taken to the hospital immediately following the scuffle for his injuries and several outlets noted that he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.
Chris Rock joked that the attacker was Will Smith
Chappelle’s pal Rock was also at the event after giving a performance of his own.
Following the incident, Rock went onstage to check and make sure his friend was OK. He then lightened the mood by making the joke: “Was that Will Smith?”
Rock was of course referring to the infamous “slap heard ’round the world” when Will Smith marched up on stage and smacked the comedian in the face during the 94th Academy Awards telecast after Rock made a G.I. Jane joke directed at Jada Pinkett Smith.
