Dave Chappelle Talked To His Attacker About His Motive

Dave Chappelle wanted to figure out what would have caused Isaiah Lee to storm the stage and attempt to attack him. Lee recently jumped onto the stage while carrying a weapon during Chappelle’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Fortunately, Dave wasn’t injured, but he was curious about his attacker’s motivations.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that Dave Chappelle recently opened up about the incident. The comedian said he convinced venue security to let him talk to Lee after he was subdued. Dave said he appeared to be mentally ill but was motivated by the plight of his grandmother.

“‘I needed to talk to him,’ Chappelle said. He asked Lee what possibly could have prompted his attack, to which Lee — who Chappelle said appeared to him to be mentally ill — offered a story about his grandmother from Brooklyn, who had been forced out of her neighborhood by gentrification. The attack was meant to draw attention to her plight, Chappelle recounted.”

After the attack, Dave Chappelle continued his comedy set like a true professional. He later joked with Chris Rock about the incident at The Comedy Store. Dave was not afraid to get back to work, despite reports of increased venue security and other comedians being weary of taking the stage.

Isaiah Lee broke his arm and suffered several facial contusions after being wrestled to the ground by several people. Prosecutors for Los Angeles County opted not to charge him with a felony. The case has been referred to the city as a misdemeanor.

Dave Chappelle wanted to know what drove someone to do something so violent. In the end, the answer may not have been very satisfying. As the case unfolds in court, more details about Lee’s motive will surely emerge.

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