Man accused of attacking Dave Chappelle charged with four misdemeanours

A 23-year-old man accused of attacking comedian Dave Chappelle during a performance was charged on Thursday with four misdemeanour criminal counts after the city's district attorney declined to bring more serious charges.

Isaiah Lee, who was subdued after tackling Chappelle, 48, to the stage floor on Tuesday evening, was charged by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office with battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault and two other misdemeanour counts.

"This alleged attack has got to have consequences," city attorney Mike Feuer said in a videotaped message.

Feuer announced the misdemeanour charges hours after the city's top prosecutor, district attorney George Gascon, declined to prosecute Lee. A spokesman for Gascon said a review of the evidence did not show felony conduct.

Under California law a misdemeanour carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. In Los Angeles, Feuer's office prosecutes misdemeanours while the district attorney is responsible for felony cases.

Police say Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday when Lee rushed at the comedian, knocking him to the ground. Lee was subdued near the back of the stage as he sought to flee.

Chappelle returned to the stage after a short break and went on with the show, ad-libbing jokes about the incident. He did not appear to be injured.

This photo combination provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows the fake handgun with real knife blade inside that was taken from the man who attacked comedian Dave Chappelle. Los Angeles Police Department via AP

The performer's representatives said on Wednesday that he was fully co-operating with the police investigation.

"As unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was, Chappelle went on with the show," his spokesperson, Carla Sims, said, crediting Chris Rock and fellow comedian-actor Jamie Foxx with helping to "calm the crowd".

The attack sparked comparisons to a bizarre incident during the Academy Awards ceremony in March at which actor Will Smith smacked comic Chris Rock onstage, apparently over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock joined Chappelle onstage a short time after the attack, took the microphone and quipped, "Was that Will Smith?"

In an unexpected moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock. AFP

Smith confronts Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. AFP

Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith's hair to a GI Jane haircut, which prompted her husband to take to the stage to confront Rock in a seemingly unscripted moment. Reuters

Smith leaves the stage at the Oscars after slapping Rock for a remark he made about his wife Jada. She lost her hair because of alopecia. AP

Smith and Jada arrive at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP

Smith wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in King Richard, at the 2022 Oscars. AFP

Smith, in tears, pays tribute to his wife Jada during his acceptance speech. AFP

Smith with wife Jada after he won the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. AFP

Serena Williams at the Oscar Awards on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP

Serena and sister Venus Williams introduce a performance by Beyonce at the Oscars. AP

US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP