UPDATED 5/5, 8:27 p.m. ET: Isaiah Lee, the man who is accused of attacking Dave Chappelle during a stand-up performance, has been slapped with four misdemeanors.
According to TMZ, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer charged the suspect with single counts of battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance, and commission of an act that delays an event or interferes with a performer.
“This alleged attack has got to have consequences,” Feuer said in a video statement. “[...] My office takes protecting public safety extremely seriously and we’re going to vigorously prosecute this case.”
If convicted of the charges, Lee will face up to 18 months in jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
UPDATED 5/5, 2:30 p.m. ET:According to The Los Angeles Times, Isaiah Lee will not be charged for assault with a deadly weapon as Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s office declined to file, instead referring the case to the city attorney’s office for misdemeanor consideration. Simply put: prosecutors did not believe the incident warranted a felony charge. Per Times sources, Lee did not actually brandish his weapon, which was inside his bag.
See original story below.
Isaiah Lee, the man identified as having been arrested on an assault with a deadly weapon charge after allegedly rushing the stage and attacking Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl, has now been revealed to have once released a song named after the comedian.
As spotted by the Daily Beast and others on Wednesday, Lee—who was seen in subsequent images and video appearing to have sustained injuries after being subdued on stage—released a song called “Dave Chappell” in June 2020. The track in question was released under the name NoName_Trapper. While the title references a misspelled version of Chappelle’s name, its lyrics, at first listen, do not appear to address or otherwise mention the comedian in any way.
The Los Angeles Police Department later said the suspect was carrying what’s been described as a “replica handgun with a knife blade inside,” per the Associated Press. He was booked into the Hollywood Division jail early Wednesday after being treated for an undisclosed injury. Here’s a clearer angle of the aftermath, another perspective of which can also be seen via the TMZ video up top:
23-year-old Isaiah Lee’s bail was set at $30,000. The assault charge is a felony.
In comments toRolling Stone on Wednesday, a man identified as Isaiah’s brother—Aaron Lee—addressed the incident and aforementioned song. According to Aaron, the 2020 “Dave Chappell” track was named as such to bring attention to the music, as he is unaware of “any type of animosity” his brother would have had against the comedian.
“I don’t have anything negative to say about Isaiah,” Aaron told the publication. “He’s a performing artist who tries to stay as positive as possible. He does have a history of mental health issues. He does take medicine. Maybe he missed out on taking his prescription. But he’s not the type to just lash out. I don’t understand.”
Amid the commotion Tuesday at the Hollywood Bowl, Chris Rock—who was also on hand for the Netflix Is a Joke festivities—jokingly referenced the over-discussed Oscars slap. “Was that Will Smith?” he asked the crowd after the suspect rushed the stage and charged at Chappelle.
Per the Hollywood Bowl listing for Tuesday night’s Dave Chappelle and Friends event, the show was designed as a “phone-free experience,” meaning the use of such devices was not permitted. To secure this facet of the performance, guests were required to place their devices in Yondr pouches. Still, footage of the moment in question was quick to make it to social media overnight.
