Dave Chappelle tackled on stage during Netflix comedy show by man who left on stretcher

Comedian Dave Chappelle was tackled on stage during his set at a Netflix comedy festival in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 3, according to media reports.

The man who attacked Chappelle was armed with a replica gun that can eject a knife blade, KNBC reported, but the comedian appeared to be uninjured.

Video shared by Buzzfeed reporter Brianna Sacks shows the suspect being taken away on a stretcher after the attack. He suffered “superficial injuries,” police told KNBC. The man has not been publicly identified.

Chappelle, who was reportedly not injured, said he “stomped” the attacker backstage, according to Deadline. The attacker was also punched and kicked by security, Sacks said.

“I’ve always wanted to do that,” the comedian said.

Footage of the attack is sparse, as taking photos and video at the Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival was prohibited.

In one clip after the incident, Chappelle joked his attacker was “a trans man,” a reference to controversy the comedian has been involved in. Chappelle’s 2021 comedy special “The Closer” on Netflix has been criticized for jokes directed at transgender people.

Chris Rock, who appeared on stage after Chappelle, reportedly joked about the attack, saying “Was that Will Smith?” The comment was a nod to Smith slapping Rock during the Academy Awards earlier this year.

The festival, which also includes Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Seth Rogan as the week continues, takes place at the Hollywood Palladium.

This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Dave Chappelle tackled on stage during Netflix comedy show by man who left on stretcher."