Will Smith’s residence was visited by Los Angeles sheriffs on Tuesday, two days after the actor slapped Chris Rock on stage during the 2022 Oscars.
At 2:40 p.m., officers were seen driving into the Smiths Calabasas estate in a marked patrol cruiser. As they grabbed images of the police cruiser on Tuesday, Splash News reported.
Officers arrived to the Smith residence around 2:40 p.m.
Deputy Lizette Salcon, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, told Page Six that officers were dispatched when someone reported a drone flying in the posh neighborhood, but she couldn’t say whether the Smiths or another nearby resident filed the complaint.
“We basically sent that unit over there to try to locate the drone to see if there was a paparazzi or whatever,” Salcon explained, “but when the deputies got there, they couldn’t find the drone.” It had already exited the vicinity.”
While Rock, 57, has decided not to press charges, many have questioned if Smith, 53, would face legal consequences for physically assaulting the comic over a G.I. Jane joke directed at Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia.
“The [Los Angeles] city attorney may file charges based on the facts without necessarily relying on the victim,” Steve Cooley, the district attorney for Los Angeles County from 2000 to 2012, told The Washington Post on Tuesday.
“The victim has no say in whether or not a prosecutor files charges,” Cooley added, “but charges can and should be made since the crime was committed against the state of California.” In a criminal case, it’s not Chris Rock vs. Will Smith. The LAPD and the city attorney should not dismiss what appears to be a clear criminal offense that is easily proven.”
Will apologized to Rock via Instagram Monday evening, sharing, “Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Jada was brief in her public reaction to the incident, simply sharing, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it,” via Instagram.
Rock has yet to respond to the hoopla surrounding the evening, while The Academy has expressed its disappointment in the “Hitch” star and will be moving forward with an investigation.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the organization wrote in a statement shared via social media on Monday.
“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”