Suspect Who Tackled Dave Chappelle Won’t Be Charged With Felony, Announces Los Angeles DA

Kipp JonesMay 5th, 2022, 4:17 pm
 

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A man police say rushed comedian Dave Chappelle while armed with a bladed gun replica will not be charged with a felony.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s office will not charge 23-year-old Isaiah Lee with a major crime, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Gascón’s office will instead refer the case over to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which will consider a misdemeanor charge.

The Times reported:

After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors determined that while criminal conduct occurred, the evidence as presented did not constitute felony conduct. The D.A.’s office does not prosecute misdemeanor crimes within the city of Los Angeles.

Sources told The Times that Lee did not brandish the weapon in Tuesday night’s assault and that the weapon was inside a bag Lee was carrying. That is among the reasons why the incident did not rise to a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

Chappelle was delivering a comedy routine Tuesday evening when he was rushed, allegedly by Lee, while on stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

The controversial comedian was unharmed, while his attacker sustained injuries sustained after he was pounced on. Lee was transported to a hospital.

Lee was arrested and had been held on a bond of $30,000. Police said he was carrying a replica gun which contained a hidden knife blade inside.

Chappelle has come under fire for his monologues on gender ideology in recent years. It isn’t clear if that is what motivated the attack.

Gascón has also come under fire from conservatives and others for being what his critics call “soft” on crime.

The DA publicly announced in 2020 after he took office that numerous low-level crimes would not be prosecuted.

The assault on Chappelle came weeks after comedian Chris Rock was slapped on stage at the Oscars by actor Will Smith.

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