Kevin Hart Weighs In On Dave Chappelle Attack: Somebody Got Their A** Whooped, It’s One Of Those Things That Needed To Happen

Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle

Kevin Hart Weighs In On Dave Chappelle Attack: Somebody Got Their A** Whooped, It’s One Of Those Things That Needed To Happen

Kevin Hart has spoken out following the latest incident surrounding fellow comedian Dave Chappelle.

Comedian Kevin Hart has commended Dave Chappelle’s security team for roughing up a man who rushed the stage during his performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, Dave Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival when a man ran up on stage and tackled him. The man then ran back stage, where security tackled the attacker. Yesterday (May 5), Kevin Hart said on an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” that the attacker needed to get “whooped” because it sends a message. While speaking with guest host Mike Birbiglia last night, Hart said,

“Somebody ran onstage and got their ass whooped. Not scary. It’s one of those things that needed to happen, though… do you want people to continue to think that they can cross that line and break the barrier of entertainer [and audience]? Somebody getting their ass whooped sends a message out to other people that was like, ‘You know, I was thinking about doing that. But after seeing that, I don’t really want to do that.’”

He added,

“I think that the world that we’re in right now — there are a lot of lines that are being blurred, and sometimes you gotta take a lot of steps back to take a step forward… I think it’s time to get back to a place of respect for your live entertainer and understand that you’re coming to a show.”

Reportedly, the attacker was carrying a plastic replica gun containing a knife. The man was removed in an ambulance with a broken arm and swollen face after security tackled him. Known as 23-year-old Isiah Lee, police arrested the suspect hours later for assault with a deadly weapon. According to Isiah Lee’s brother, he is homeless and struggles with mental illness.

It was later determined by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office that Isiah Lee would not face any felony charges. Lee has been charged with four misdemeanor counts. The misdemeanor counts include battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to stage area during a performance and commission of an act that delays an event or interferes with a performer.

What do you think of Kevin Hart’s stance on the situation? Let us know in the comments below! 

[Sources: 1, 2]