Chappelle recounts meeting attacker

Comedian Dave Chappelle talked about meeting with his alleged attacker and shared what he believes is the man’s motive for tackling him onstage Tuesday at the Hollywood Bowl.

The firebrand comic performed a secret show at the Comedy Store on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Times confirmed. He reportedly riffed on the attack during the set, which was attended by Kim Kardashian, Sean “Diddy” Combs, rapper Yasiin Bey,

and comedians Jeff Ross

and Louis C.K.

Chappelle told the 70seat Belly Room crowd that he persuaded security at the venue to let him speak with the alleged assailant, 23year-old Isaiah Lee, in the room where he was being held, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I needed to talk to him,” said “The Closer” star. Chappelle asked Lee what prompted the attack and said that Lee shared a story about his grandmother from Brooklyn, who had been forced out of her neighborhood by gentrification, The Hollywood Reporter said. The attack apparently was meant to draw attention to her plight, Chappelle said.

An official motive for the attack has been unclear. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department did not comment Friday on whether a meeting between Chappelle and Lee took place.

On Wednesday, police released photos of a replica gun with a knife that Lee allegedly had in a bag during Tuesday night’s incident at the Hollywood Bowl. Lee is currently facing four misdemeanor charges, including battery and possession of a weapon with intent to assault, and is being held on $30,000 bail.