Comedian Dave Chappelle was tackled on stage while performing at Hollywood Bowl. Who attacked him? And why was he attacked? Follow us to update the latest news.
Netflix Releases Statement Addressing Attack on Dave Chappelle
Netflix released a brief statement shortly after Tuesday’s on-stage attack on Dave Chappelle at the Netflix Is a Joke festival.
According to Variety, a spokesperson for the streamer reiterated that the safety and well-being of comedians are important to them:
“We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence.”
A spokesperson from Chappelle’s production company shared a longer statement addressing the matter, saying the comedian did not want the “unfortunate and unsettling” incident to overshadow the significance of the event:
“Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music, setting record-breaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood Bowl. This run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl, reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment.”
Who attacked Dave Chappelle?
Early Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the attack, saying the weapon the man was carrying could project a blade “when you discharge it correctly.” It’s unclear if he attempted to use the weapon.
“The suspect produced what was later discovered to be a replica handgun and pointed the item at the victim,” police said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “Hollywood Bowl uniformed security officers, who witnessed the incident, engaged the suspect and removed him from the victim and took him into custody.”
The attacker was identified as Isaiah Lee, 23. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. Police said he will be charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
Buzzfeed reporter Brianna Sacks also shared a video showing the attacker being loaded into an ambulance. Sacks said that, prior to the attack, Dave Chappelle talked about increasing security around him amid widespread backlash for jokes he had made about the transgender community.
Several Netflix employees in the fall held a Hollywood walkout to protest the company’s decision to make one of Chappelle’s comedy specials, “The Closer,” which they said included objectionable comments about the LGBT community.
The motive of this attack is not clear.
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