Dave Chappelle: Man with knife blade and replica gun attacks comedian during Netflix is a Joke festival
Comedian was tackled on stage during his set at the Hollywood Bowl
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage in Los Angeles by an audience member, according to reports at the scene.
The comedian was performing at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Netflix is a Joke festival when a man charged at him on stage while armed with a knife blade and replica gun, police said.
US reporter Sharon Carpenter was at the show and shared her account on social media.
“Dave Chappelle was just assaulted on stage at his Hollywood Bowl show,” she tweeted on Wednesday (4 May).
“He was finishing up his performance when a man ran on-stage and lunged at him knocking him to the floor. Security and his entourage then cornered the man as Dave joked about him getting ‘stomped’ backstage.”
Another account from the show came from reporter Brianna Sacks, who stated that “a man charged and tackled” Chappelle just as the show was ending.
Audience members were not allowed to have their phones at the show to prevent the leaking of content.
However, some people managed to capture footage from directly after the incident. One video shows Chappelle thanking Jamie Foxx for his help during the clash on stage.
Another video posted on TikTok shows Chris Rock joining Chappelle on stage after security subdued the man and took him away.
He could be heard asking “Was that Will Smith?” in reference to the incident that saw him slapped by the actor at the Oscars in March.
“Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat,” Chappelle joked.
In another tweet, Carpenter spoke directly to the camera to recount what happened.
“A man ran on stage, lunged at Dave, knocking him to the floor,” she explained. “And then, Dave's security, his entourage managed to get the guy off, had him in the corner.
“Dave was on the mic, obviously a little bewildered by the situation at first, and then began making jokes about how he thought it was Will Smith, and how the guy's getting stomped backstage.”