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Man Accused Of Attacking Dave Chappelle Charged With Attempted Murder For Allegedly Stabbing Roommate
Isaiah Lee is now accused of stabbing his former roommate at a transitional housing facility back in December.
The man accused of tackling Dave Chappelle onstage has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing his roommate.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on Thursday that Isaiah Lee, 23, has been charged with one count of attempted murder in connection with the Dec. 2 stabbing of his roommate, who hasn't been identified, according to a news release.
Gascón credited the May attack on Chappelle for the charge in the case.
“The publicity generated by the attack on Mr. Chappelle helped police solve this crime,” Gascón said. “The incident that occurred at the Hollywood Bowl was misdemeanor conduct and rightfully referred to the City Attorney’s Office. Based on the nature and severity of the December attack, Mr. Lee is now facing felony charges which my office will prosecute.”
Chappelle was performing stand-up at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on May 3 when Lee allegedly jumped on stage. Police say Lee was armed with a replica gun that had an ejectable knife blade attached to it when he rushed Chappelle. He was initially charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, authorities confirmed to Oxygen.com; the charge has since been downgraded to a misdemeanor.
“Lee is charged with stabbing his roommate during a fight at a transitional housing apartment on December,” Gascón stated. “As a result of media reports about the Chappelle case, the victim recently identified Lee as the person who committed the assault he had previously reported to police.”
Lee pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge on Thursday. He is scheduled to return to court on June 2.
Chappelle, who spoke to Lee after the alleged attack at the Bowl, later told an audience that he believes that the man is mentally ill. Chappelle said that Lee told him that the attack was meant to bring attention to the fact that Lee's grandmother had been forced out of her Brooklyn neighborhood by gentrification. Lee also apparently wrote wrote a rap song two years ago about the comic that seemingly references the Hollywood Bowl.
It’s not clear if Lee has an attorney.
