Dave Chappelle attacked onstage while performing in LA
Dave Chappelle was apparently rushed on stage by an audience member Tuesday night during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
The comedian and Yellow Springs resident was performing a show as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Festival.
Usually, Chappelle locks phones in special pouches and does not allow any photo, video or recordings during his performance, but a short video posted on social media appears to show the incident where someone runs on stage and right into him.
The audience member was quickly corralled by security staff and detained off stage, according to a report by NPR.
Following the attack, Chappelle joked to the audience, "That was a trans man," a reference to his controversial recent Netflix special "The Closer," where he made comments about the transgender community that prompted a walkout by some Netflix employees.
Los Angeles police confirmed the attack Wednesday morning to NBC Los Angeles, saying the man who rushed the stage was armed with a replica gun, and the weapon can eject a knife blade "when you discharge it correctly." NBC LA said it is unclear if the man made an attempt to use the weapon.
The Enquirer is contacting the Los Angeles Police Department for information.
The incident occurred a little over a month after a high-profile altercation, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards following comments Rock made about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her diagnosis with the autoimmune disease alopecia.
According to NPR, Chappelle had discussed "the slap heard 'round the world," in his earlier set.
After Chappelle was attacked, Rock returned to the stage after his initial set and joked, "Was that Will Smith?"