Whew! What was supposed to be a fun show for Dave Chapelle turned into a completely wild one after he was attacked onstage!
Multiple reports state that a man who was armed with a replica gun rushed the stage and tackled comedian Dave Chappelle as he was performing at a Los Angeles comedy festival late Tuesday. As videos started circulating online, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the incident early Wednesday, saying the weapon the man was carrying can eject a knife blade “when you discharge it correctly.” It is unclear if the fan made an attempt to use the weapon.
Other videos posted by multiple accounts online showed the man climbing onto the front of the Hollywood Bowl stage and rushing toward Dave Chappelle. In clip, the comedian can be seen falling to the floor, with several other people rushing to apprehend the person. The attacker, who was actually a member of the audience at the show, was eventually detained by the venue’s security team and later taken to the hospital with “superficial injuries,” the LAPD said. Another video posted online of the alleged attacker appeared to show the unidentified man on a stretcher with his elbow bent at an odd angle! Thankfully, Dave Chappelle nor any officer was injured, police said. According to eyewitnesses, fellow comedian Chris Rock joined Chappelle on stage after security subdued the man and took him away. Chris Rock then came out and said, “‘was that Will Smith?!’ The wildest s*** I have ever seen!” author Julissa Arce wrote on Twitter.
As we previously reported, Rock, of course, was slapped at this year’s Oscars ceremony after making a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia. That moment sparked major controversy and backlash on Will Smith’s end. Following a few apologies, he was forced to resign from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
RELATED: Will Smith Resigns From The Academy Of Motion Picture Amid Chris Rock Slap Controversy
He announced at the time:
“I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate,” Smith said in a statement shared with CNN by his publicist. Smith’s statement concluded, “Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.” Although Rock was able to joke about his situation, he still hasn’t shared how he’s been dealing with getting smacked on live TV.
Dave Chapelle has not yet made a statement regarding this situation. Until then, let us know your thoughts on this in the comment box below.
Press Play Below For More: