What Are the Charges in the Dave Chappelle Attack? – NBC Los Angeles

A 23-year-old Los Angeles man accused of rushing onto the Hollywood Bowl stage and tackling comedian Dave Chappelle during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl is expected in court Friday to face misdemeanor charges in the attack.

Isaiah Lee was detained by security members and arrested by Los Angeles police after the attack during Chappelle’s standup performance Tuesday night at the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival. He was arrested by police, who said he had a replica gun equipped with a knife blade, on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Developments in the criminal case against Lee unfolded quickly Thursday when the Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file felony charges against Lee and referred the case to the city attorney’s office for consideration of lesser misdemeanor charges. The district attorney’s office does not prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases.

Here’s what we know about the charges against the suspect.

What are the charges against the suspect in the Dave Chappelle attack?

In a news release Thursday, City Attorney Mike Feuer said he would charge Isaiah Lee with charges including 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 the event or interferes with a performer, officials said.

“This alleged attack has got to have consequences,” Feuer, who is running for mayor, said in a video statement announcing the charges. “My office takes protecting public safety extremely seriously and we are going to vigorously prosecute this case.”

The announcement came after LA County prosecutors declined to charge Lee with any felony conduct.

If convicted of all counts, Lee could face up to 18 months in county jail and/or up to $4,000 in fines, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Why was the Dave Chappelle attack suspect not charged with a felony?

Los Angeles County prosecutors said the evidence against Lee did not rise to the level of felony conduct.

The district attorney’s office issued the following statement about its decision.

“The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has referred the case to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing consideration,” an office spokesman said Thursday. “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.”

Chappelle was not injured after the audience member rushed the stage and tackled him to the ground. Police released a photo of the replica gun equipped with a knife blade that they say was in Lee’s possession at the time.

It was not clear whether he intended to use the weapon.

“Prosecutors have concluded he didn’t actually use the gun,” said NBC4 legal analyst Royal Oakes. “That’s the thing that saves him from the felony charge.

“State law says it’s only a felony assault with deadly weapon if you, No. 1 used the weapon and No. 2 the victim perceives a risk to his or her life.

Who is the man accused of attacking Dave Chappelle?

Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Isaiah Lee.

Jail records indicated Thursday morning that Lee is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail following his arrest Tuesday night on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The LAPD said Lee is a Los Angeles resident.

The suspect was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the altercation with security team members, which was captured in several videos by audience members. Details about the extent of the injuries were not immediately clear, but photos taken after the altercation showed his arm bent at an odd angle.

TMZ reported that Lee is a self-proclaimed rapper. A song on his 2020 album is titled “Dave Chapelle’ on Spotify. Those details have not been confirmed by NBCLA.

It was not immediately known if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. He is expected to appear in court Friday to face the misdemeanor charges.

What kind of weapon did police find after the Dave Chappelle attack?

The weapon that police said was recovered from Lee turned out to be a replica handgun with a knife blade that can be ejected. It is unclear whether the suspect attempted to use the weapon, but police said he was pointing it at Chappelle when he climbed the front of the stage and rushed toward the comedian.

“The suspect produced what was later discovered to be a replica handgun and pointed the item at the victim,” the LAPD said in a statement. “Hollywood Bowl uniformed security officers, who witnessed the incident, engaged the suspect and removed him from the victim and took him into custody.”

It was unclear how he was able to carry the weapon, photos of which were released by the LAPD, into the venue.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, which manages events for the Hollywood Bowl, released a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“The safety of our artists, visitors and staff is the LA Phil’s top priority,” the statement read. “The incident that occurred at the Hollywood Bowl on May 3, 2022, remains an active investigation, and we are unable to comment further at this time. Please refer additional questions to the LAPD.”