LOS ANGELES — Police say comedian Chris Rock declined to file a report against Will Smith after the actor appeared to have slapped him during the live broadcast of the annual Academy Awards ceremony.
That means the Los Angeles Police Department, which has basic jurisdiction where the show was produced Sunday, will not investigate or pursue possible charges against Smith.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the department said in a statement.
“The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the LAPD continued. “The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Rock’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Senior sources at the department said officers usually wouldn’t take action in such a situation — a possible misdemeanor battery investigation — unless there was a desire to press charges and help fill out an incident report.
That would involve the self-described victim’s contacting police directly, the sources said.
Rock suggested that Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, was to star in “G.I. Jane II,” an apparent reference to her shaved head, which is her response to the serious hair-loss condition alopecia. Smith marched a short distance to the stage and appeared to slap Rock with an open hand.
Rock did not appear to be physically injured, but he seemed to be shaken and twice said, “Wow.”
Back at his seat, Smith shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth,” and then repeated the sentiment.
The “smack,” as Rock referred to it, seemed to reverberate throughout the world, dominating news headlines.
Smith later won best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena, in “King Richard.” He apologized for the altercation, but not to Rock.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
