According to eyewitnesses who attended his concert and footage that went viral on social media, the comedian Dave Chappelle was assaulted onstage during the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night.
The son of famous actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Etienne Maurice, who witnessed the attack, tweeted:
“Seeing Dave Chappelle get attacked by someone from the audience, then witnessing the guy get jumped on by Dave Chappelle and his crew has to be the wildest live show I’ve ever seen.”
Watching Dave Chappelle get attacked by someone from the audience then watching the guy get jumped by Dave Chappelle and his crew must have been the wildest live show I’ve ever seen. Chris Rock even went on stage, hugged Dave, grabbed the mic and said “Will is you?!” 🤣🤣🤣
– Friend of Your Friend (@walkgoodetienne) May 4, 2022
Footage shows man attacking Dave Chappelle on stage
Footage from several attendees also showed Dave Chappelle on stage at the outdoor venue when a man lunged at him and sent him to the floor. Then security dragged the man away. According to ABC News Los Angeles, police concluded that the man was armed with a replica gun “that can project a blade”.
Attacker Dave Chappelle hospitalized
LAPD confirmed that they arrested a man. It was not immediately clear whether the man attempted to use the weapon he was carrying. Police also say the man did not injure Chappelle in the incident. However, footage from a witness showed paramedics tending to the attacker after the incident.
Someone attacked Dave Chappelle at his gig and his security team left behind the man who looked like Mojo JoJo. pic.twitter.com/pna2642x7G
– NUFF (@nuffsaidny) May 4, 2022
Idiot knocked down after attacking Dave Chappelle at Hollywood Bowl pic.twitter.com/Ft0FIUyjWv
– Jed Simon (@JEDSIMON) May 4, 2022
Chappelle resumes show after stage attack
In video footage shortly after the attack, Chappelle regains her composure and continues the jokes.
“It’s a transgender person.”
The comedian addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding his pranks on a Netflix special that critics say is transgressive.
Later, in the closing call video, Chappelle called to thank actor and comedian Jamie Foxx.
“Make noise for Foxx. Whenever you get stuck, Jamie Foxx puts on a sheriff’s hat,” Chappelle said.
Foxx replied.
“N——, I think it’s part of the show, I don’t know what f*ck is…”
Here is a video of the aftermath. #DaveChappelle handled this like a champ! #HollywoodBowl pic.twitter.com/0xaBpWsbrT
– E5QUIRE (@e5quire) May 4, 2022
Roomies, are you shocked by this incident???
