Dave Chapel revealed on Thursday night during a show in Los Angeles why a man ran off the stage earlier in the week and attacked a comedian.
Performing at The Comedy Store two nights after the attack, Chapel explained, according to The Hollywood Reporter, how he persuaded security to allow him to speak to the attacker, 23-year-old Isaiah Lee.
“I had to talk to him,” Chapel said.
According to The Hollywood Reporter:
“He asked Lee what might trigger his attack, to which Lee – who Chapel said looked mentally ill – offered a story about his Brooklyn grandmother who was forced to leave her neighborhood through gentrification. The attack was aimed at drawing attention to her plight, Chapel said.
Chris Rock, who performed on Tuesday during the attack, also attended the show on Thursday.
“At least you were hit by someone with a reputation!” Chapel joked with Rock. “I was hit by a homeless man with a leaf in his hair.”
Rock replied, “I was hit by the softest n-a ever to rap.”
A Chappelle spokesman called the attack “embarrassing” earlier this week.
He was spotted during a performance at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night and was later arrested.
“As pitiful and disturbing as the incident was, Chapel continued with the show,” said Carla Sims, a spokeswoman for Chappelle, in a statement to CNN. “Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock helped calm the crowd with humor before Chappelle introduced the latter and introduced musical guests for the evening.”
Lee carried a spear of a pistol with a large blade that folded from it like a pocket knife.
The guards overpowered the attacker and Chappelle continued his performance while the man was taken away by ambulance.
Lee, 23, has been arrested and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, said police officer Alba Mendes, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
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