LOS ANGELES – Comedian Chris Rock refused to file a complaint against Will Smith after the actor slapped him during the live broadcast of the annual Academy Awards, police said.
This means the Los Angeles Police Department, which has primary jurisdiction where the show was produced on Sunday, will not investigate or pursue potential charges against Smith.
“The Los Angeles Police Department’s investigative entities are aware of an accident between two people during the Oscars,” the department said in a statement.
“The incident involved slapping another person,” the Los Angeles police said. “The person concerned refused to file a police report. If the party involved wishes to report the police at a later time, the Los Angeles Police Department will be available to complete the investigation report.”
Rock’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
High-ranking sources in the ministry said that officers usually do not take any action in such a case – a possible misdemeanor battery investigation – unless there is a desire to press charges and help fill out the incident report.
The sources said that this would include direct contact of the victim, who described herself, with the police.
Rock suggested that Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, would star in “GI Jane II,” an apparent reference to her shaved head, her reaction to a serious case of hair loss. Smith walked a short distance to the stage and seemed to slap Rock with an open hand.
Rock didn’t look like he was physically injured, but he looked shaken and said twice, “Wow.”
Returning to his seat, Smith shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth,” then repeated the sentiment.
The “knockout,” as Rock referred to it, seemed to resonate around the world, dominating the headlines.
Smith later won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams, father of tennis greats Venus and Serena, in “King Richard.” I apologize for the melee, but not for the rock.
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