Los Angeles sheriffs were spotted visiting the home of Will Smith on Tuesday, two days after the actor punched Chris Rock onstage during the 2022 Academy Awards.
Officers were pulled into the gates of the Smiths Calabasas mansion in a tagged squad car in a tagged squad car at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, Splash News reported, as they took photos of the police vehicle.
Officers arrived at the Smith residence around 2:40 p.m., according to SplashNews.com
Deputy Lizette Salcon, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, told Page Six that police arrived after someone reported a drone flying through the upscale neighborhood, but didn’t confirm whether the Smiths filed the complaint or another neighbor nearby.
“We just sent this unit there to try to locate the drone and see if there were paparazzi or what was going on,” Salcon said, “but when the deputies got there, they couldn’t locate the drone. It had already left the area.”
Smith slammed comedian Chris Rock over a joke aimed at his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, SplashNews.com
While Rock, 57, has decided not to press charges, many have wondered if the 53-year-old “King Richard” actor would face legal action if he physically assaulted the comedian over a GI Jane joke, targeting Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith – suffers from hair loss, alopecia.
“The [Los Angeles] The prosecutor could press charges based on the evidence without necessarily relying on the victim,” Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles County District Attorney from 2000 to 2012, told The Post Tuesday.
Officials told Page Six that the visit was likely due to a drone flying through their neighborhood, according to FilmMagic
“The victim has no control over whether or not a prosecutor should file charges,” Cooley continued. “Nonetheless, charges can and should be filed because the crime was directed against the State of California. It’s not Chris Rock versus Will Smith in a criminal case. The LAPD and the City Attorney should not close the door on an obvious crime that is easily provable.”
Rock has decided not to press charges. SplashNews.com
Will apologized to Rock via Instagram on Monday night, sharing: “Jokes at my expense are part of the job but joking about Jada’s health was too much for me and I reacted emotionally.
“I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I’m embarrassed and my actions were no indication of the man I want to be. In a world of love and kindness there is no place for violence.”
The Academy has condemned Smith’s actions in a related statement. SplashNews.com
Jada was brief in her public response to the incident, simply sharing via Instagram, “This is a time of healing and I’m here for it.”
Rock has yet to respond to the hype surrounding the evening, while The Academy has expressed disappointment with the “Hitch” star and will proceed with an investigation.
Celebrity friends have taken sides since the slap. REUTERS
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the organization wrote in a statement shared to social media on Monday.
“We have officially begun a formal review of the incident and will review further actions and consequences consistent with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”
Smith and Rock representatives have yet to return our request for comment.