The man who attacked Dave Chappelle during a 2022 Hollywood Bowl appearance is now suing the venue and security staff.
In legal documents obtained by TMZ, the attacker, Isaiah Lee, stated he rushed the stage to tackle the comedian as a protest against jokes he had made earlier in the evening. Although he admitted to the assault, Lee stated that the venue’s security staff brutally beat him. He also claimed that they also spit on him and dislocated his elbow purposefully.
Lee then said that the security staff allowed Dave Chapelle’s entourage to beat him. as well. He further explained that he had a knife that looked like a gun during the incident. However, he never pulled it out to use on the comedian. It has simply fallen out of his pocket during the scuffle.
Lee went on to accuse the venue of being aware of Dave Chappelle’s reputation for telling offensive jokes. He pointed out that organizers should have taken action to prevent potential harm the jokes could cause. Among the jokes he was referring to were able transgender people.
The man is suing the venue and security staff for negligence and battery. He claimed that after the incident he suffered from back injuries, loss of mobility, and dislocated his elbow. He also indicated he had sustained other medical issues.
Lee did not include Dave Chapelle in the lawsuit. He previously took a plea deal and pleaded “no contest” to entering a restricted area and battery. Both of which are misdemeanors. He was later sentenced to 270 days in jail.
He claimed that he was triggered by Dave Chapelle and his jokes.
Dave Chapelle Previously Opened Up About Speaking to Isaiah Lee Following the Hollywood Bowl Incident
Days after the Hollywood Bowl incident, Dave Chapelle opened up about meeting with his attacker Isaiah Lee to discuss what motivated the attack.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed Chapelle had told an audience at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles that he had talked the Hollywood Bowl’s security into letting him speak to Lee about what happened.
“I needed to talk to him,” Dave Chapelle explained. Lee told the comedian a story about his grandmother from Brooklyn, who had been forced out of her neighborhood by gentrification. The attack had meant to be a way to bring attention to her situation.
Chris Rock, who was fresh from his now infamous Will Smith slap spoke to Chappelle about his experience. “At least you got smacked by someone of repute!” Chapelle declared. “I got smacked by a homeless guy with leaves in his hair.”
Rock responded, “I got smacked by the softest n— that ever rapped.”