DAVE CHAPPELLE ATTACKED ONSTAGE

During Dave Chappelle’s set at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl on May 3, a man rushed the stage and tackled the comedian. While the comedian was performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, May 3, a person now identified as Isaiah Lee, seated in the audience, rushed the stage and tackled Chappelle.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the incident to NBC Los Angeles early Wednesday, May 4, stating that the suspect was armed with a replica gun that — when discharged correctly — ejects a knife blade. While it’s unknown whether the suspect attempted to use the weapon, authorities confirmed that Chappelle was not injured during the incident.

After the suspect tackled Chappelle, venue security detained the suspect, who LAPD said sustained “superficial injuries” and was taken to the hospital. Chapelle, 48, performed at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Fest.

Earlier in the night, fellow comedian Chris Rock took the stage to perform at the venue. It’s been over a month since Rock experienced his onstage incident at the 2022 Oscars. While at the March 27 award show, Will Smith took the stage and slapped Rock after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. He has since resigned from the Academy and banned the ceremony for ten years.

As for Tuesday’s attack on Chappelle, the comedian — whose Netflix special previously received backlash due to jokes about the transgender community — has yet to address the incident publicly. After the event, the Netflix Is a Joke Twitter account wrote in part, “Another *ridic* evening of legends tonight at @DaveChapelle & Friends at the Hollywood Bowl!” (Eonline)