The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that Chris Rock is declining to file a police report after being struck by actor Will Smith in a shocking altercation during the Oscars broadcast.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” a statement obtained early Monday by ITK said following the awards show in Los Angeles.
“The individual involved has declined to file a police report,” the LAPD said in a statement, which appeared to refer to the confrontation between Smith and Rock.
“If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report,” the statement said.
Just hours earlier on Sunday, “King Richard” star Smith interrupted Rock and was seen striking him onstage after the comedian made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, while presenting a trophy at the 94th annual awards show.
After being hit, Rock said, “Wow, Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me” as Smith walked away.
Smith could then be heard yelling at Rock: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth!”
“That was uh…greatest night in the history of television,” Rock, 57, said, before not making any further reference on-air to the incident.
Minutes after the altercation, Smith took to the stage again — as the Oscar winner in the “Best Actor” category.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said of the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, the title role he played in “King Richard.”