shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > Entertainment News > Hollywood News > Article > Oscars producer Will Packer says LAPD was ready to arrest Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock

Oscars producer Will Packer says LAPD was ready to arrest Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock

Updated on: 01 April,2022 02:18 PM IST  |  Los Angeles
IANS |

"LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards programme. The incident involved one individual slapping another," the LAPD statement said

Oscars producer Will Packer says LAPD was ready to arrest Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock

Will Smith. Pic/AFP

Oscars producer Will Packer has addressed Hollywood star Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock at the ceremony.


In a preview clip of Packer's upcoming interview on 'Good Morning America', he shared that the Los Angeles Police Department was on the scene on Sunday night and ready to arrest Smith if Rock wanted to press charges, reports 'Variety'.


"They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment. "They said, we will go get him. We are prepared. We're prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him," Packer said.


"They were laying out the options. And as they were talking, Chris was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, 'No, no, no, I'm fine'. And even to the point where I said, 'Rock, let them finish'. The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said: "Would you like us to take any action?' And he said no. He said no."

In the clip, Packer also said he did not speak to Smith directly the night of the Oscars. As 'Variety' reported on Sunday night, Rock declined to file a police report regarding the slap.

"LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards programme. The incident involved one individual slapping another," the LAPD statement said.

"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."

There has been much confusion surrounding the altercation as the Academy said in a statement on Wednesday that they asked Smith to leave the ceremony and he refused; however, sources have since refuted that claim to 'Variety'.

Also in the Wednesday statement, the Academy revealed that Smith now faces "suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted" as a result of the slap.

Smith issued an apology on Monday, particularly addressing Rock, which he had not done in his best actor speech the night before.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Rock publicly responded to the slap for the first time during a comedy show in Boston.

"I don't have a bunch of shit about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend," he said.

"I'm still kind of processing what happened. So, at some point I'll talk about that sh**. And it will be serious and funny."

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK