Prosecutors in Los Angeles County declined Thursday to file felony charges against the man who rushed the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, and tackled Dave Chappelle while armed with a replica handgun that contained a retractable knife blade.
“After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors determined that while criminal conduct occurred, the evidence as presented did not constitute felony conduct. The District Attorney’s Office does not prosecute misdemeanor crimes within the city of Los Angeles,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Instead, the case was referred the the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office to consider possible misdemeanor charges against 23-year-old Isaiah Lee.
Related Story: Dave Chappelle Rep Addresses ‘Unsettling’ Attack at Netflix Comedy Festival
An arrest has been made in an incident where a comedian was attacked while on stage at the Hollywood Bowl. Isaiah Lee was charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon and bail is set at $30,000.
More info:https://t.co/KW4KNDBefY pic.twitter.com/ldcnvf0H8q
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) May 4, 2022
Lee was jailed on $30,000 bail following the Tuesday night attack and booked by Los Angeles police on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
The LAPD said Lee rushed the stage at around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday while Chappelle was performing as part of the “Netflix Is A Joke” comedy festival.
Video posted online by fans showed Chappelle being thrown to the ground as security staff rushed on stage to subdue the suspect. Among those running to protect Chappelle was actor and comedian Jamie Foxx. Chappelle was not injured.
A rep for Chappelle called the attack “unsettling.”
“As unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was, Chappelle went on with the show,” the rep said in a statement. “Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock helped calm the crowd with humor before Chappelle introduced the last and featured musical guests for the evening.”
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón has repeatedly been criticized for being “soft on crime.” There’s currently an effort underway and petition to recall the liberal district attorney.
Since Gascón took office in 2020, Los Angeles has seen a 34 percent increase in homicides, a 15.5 percent jump in violent crimes, and a 67 percent increase in shooting victims, according to LAPD statistics.
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