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The man who attacked Dave Chappelle during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl Tuesday will not face felony charges despite carrying a replica pistol with a folding knife blade affixed to it.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s office declined Thursday to file felony charges against Isaiah Lee, 23, who was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after he tackled Chappelle.
“The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has referred the case to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing consideration,” Greg Risling, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, told Fox News Digital in a statement Thursday.
Dave Chappelle speaks onstage during the 36th Annual Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Oct. 30, 2021, in Cleveland.
(Kevin Mazur)
“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.”
DAVE CHAPPELLE SEEN FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER BEING ATTACKED AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Lee is still being held on $30,000 bail.
Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Lee did not appear to brandish the weapon during his assault on Chappelle. And the weapon was inside a bag Lee was carrying, prompting prosecutors to eliminate a deadly weapon charge.
DAVE CHAPPELLE ATTACK: SUSPECT CHARGED WITH ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
An investigation to determine how Lee not only made his way into the Bowl with the weapon but how he got to the front of the stage before charging Chappelle is ongoing.
“Anyone who arms themselves with a deadly weapon, in this case a knife, and violently attacks an innocent person, famous or not, should be charged accordingly,” Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami told Fox News Digital.
The legendary Laugh Factory in Los Angeles shows its support for comedian Dave Chappelle Wednesday, May 4, 2022 after the “Sticks and Stones” orator was tackled during his “Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival” performance at the famed Hollywood Bowl.
(Fox News Digital)
“With only a misdemeanor charge, the person could be released soon, with only a slap on the wrist. That fails to provide justice to the victim, accountability for this person’s actions and safety to the general public. These concepts, however, like public safety and justice, that most of us value, are concepts George Gascon can care less about.”
After Chappelle was attacked during his gig at the “Netflix Is A Joke” festival Tuesday evening, comedy club owners say they “stand by” Chappelle but are urging the public to “protect our comics.”
Chappelle doubled down on a joke that the attacker “was a trans man,” a reference to his recent schism with the community after many called Chappelle transphobic for his jokes during his Netflix stand-up special “The Closer.”
DAVE CHAPPELLE ATTACKED AT HOLLYWOOD BOWL: WHO IS THE ALLEGED SUSPECT, ISAIAH LEE?
Chris Rock also appeared on the stage after Chappelle was attacked and joked, “Was that Will Smith?”
