LAPD Was Ready To Arrest Will Smith But Chris Rock Refused

The slap that rocked not just Chris Rock, but also the Academy, and reverberated around the world refuses to die down as new details emerge about it every day.

From new footage that showed Jada Pinkett-Smith smirking when her husband socked Chris Rock, to the reports that Will Smith refused to leave the venue when the Academy officials asked him to, details about Slapstage/Slapgate are still a tad fuzzy. The latter has been refuted, and now we have Oscar’s honcho, Will Packer, with some more news!

Will Packer To Come On “Good Morning America”

Academy Award producer Will Packer will be soon on “Good Morning America” with T.J. Holmes and has revealed that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was not only at the scene, backstage, on Sunday night, but they were also willing to do all it took. In fact, if Chris Rock had decided to press charges, Will Smith would have left the venue in handcuffs, instead of the golden statuette. In a preview clip, Packer says, “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.'”

Police refused to press charges saying there were no witnesses

— Dr. Mike (@mikeduncan241) March 28, 2022

But Rock obviously refused, and so the LAPD issued a statement on Monday, saying, “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. 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.”

Chris Rock Was Dismissive About Pressing Charges

LAPD was ready to arrest Will Smith but Chris Rock said no — MEGA

In the clip, Packer continues to explain, “They were laying out the options. And as they were talking, Chris was — he 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.”

Twitter is harping about respecting Chris Rock, even more, post this.

I found the exchange between Chris Rock & Will Smith most ironic. Chris Rock offered the other cheek and refused to press charges. Yet Will Smith stood up and had the audacity to speak about God. Be the Chris Rock of the World! #ChrisRock #oscars pic.twitter.com/6QmsK71Lfz

— dleehowe (@dleehowe) March 29, 2022

But some are questioning what law and justice really mean…

I’m not a lawyer or in d law enforcement. LAPD stated that Will Smith won’t be charged because Chris Rock didn’t press charges. But d crime was on video. So, any1 can shot any1 in LA, d person shot refused to press chargers, then shooter can go free even if d crime is on video?

— Thomson (@thomson6301) March 31, 2022

Others still felt it was the Academy’s fault.

Will refused, but the Academy did nothing. That was another slap to the face of Chris Rock as the victim in the situation. The police need to know when they have to step in, and not leave it up to the victims too press charges. Facts

— colt745flockin1 (@colt745flockin1) March 30, 2022

Chris Rock Still Processing It All

After Rock did not press charges and left the venue to go to a party, Will Smith ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Actor, for the movie “King Richard”, where he plays Richard Williams, Serena, and Venus Williams‘ father.

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A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

After a tearful acceptance speech in which Smith apologized to the Academy without mentioning Chris Rock, he spent the night partying. The next morning, he apologized to Chris on social media, writing, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are 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.” Rock has not responded to the gesture, and in one of his recent shows, he also mentioned that he was “still processing” it all, also indicating that he hadn’t spoken to anyone about it, yet. Meaning Rock and Smith have not made up. Meanwhile, here’s Packer’s video clip:

ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE | TOMORROW ON GMA: #Oscars producer Will Packer speaks out on what happened behind the scenes, moments after actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage. pic.twitter.com/LnFnNImFJ1

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 31, 2022