Cops visit Will Smith's Calabasas mansion over drone sighting amid slapgate
Will Smith's residence was visited by Los Angeles sheriffs on Tuesday (March 29), two days after the actor smacked Chris Rock on stage during the 2022 Oscars. According to Splash News, at around 2.40 pm, officers were seen pulling into the Smiths Calabasas estate in a marked patrol cruiser. Deputy Lizette Salcon, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, told NY Post that officers were dispatched when someone reported a drone flying in the exclusive area, but couldn't say if the Smiths or another nearby resident filed the complaint.
Salcon explained, “we just sent that unit over there to try to locate the drone and see if there was a paparazzi or what was going on. But when the deputies got there, they weren’t able to locate the drone. It had already left the area.” The Sheriff's visit to Will's estate comes after Rock, 57, has opted not to pursue charges against him, and many have questioned if Smith, 53, would face legal penalties for physically assaulting the comedian over a G.I. Jane joke directed at Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia. Earlier, Steve Cooley, the district attorney for Los Angeles County from 2000 to 2012, told New York Post, “The [Los Angeles] city attorney could bring charges based upon the evidence without necessarily relying upon the victim. The victim does not control whether or not a prosecutor should file charges.”
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“However, charges actually can and should be filed because the offense was against the state of California. It’s not Chris Rock versus Will Smith in a criminal matter. The LAPD and the city attorney should not close the door on what was an obvious criminal offense and is easily provable,” he added. Meanwhile, Will apologized to Rock on Instagram by writing, “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 also reacted to the incident writing, "this is a season for healing, and I'm here for it." on Instagram. The Academy has expressed its displeasure and started a formal inquiry. According to NBC News, The Academy said in a statement that they condemn the actions of 'Mr. Smith at last night’s show.' "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," the statement remarked.
