LAPD Was Prepared To Arrest Will Smith On Battery Charges For Oscars Slapping Of Chris Rock

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is reportedly prepared to arrest "King Richard" star Will Smith after his slapping of Chris Rock onstage during the Sunday's 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, as claimed by Oscars producer Will Packer.

Packer has spoken regarding the incident in which Smith slapped Rock after cracking a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. In a preview clip of ABC's "Good Morning America" interview with Packer, which is scheduled to air Friday, the producer shared that the LAPD was ready to arrest the Oscar-winning actor until Rock declined to press charges.

"They were saying, you know, this is battery was the word they use in that moment," Packer said in the clip. "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. They were laying out the options, and as they were talking, Chris was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, 'No, I'm fine.' He was like, 'No, no, no.'"

According to Packer, he did not speak with Smith during the night of the Oscars. As stated by the organization leading Oscars, Wednesday, its board of governors have initiated a disciplinary proceeding against Smith for violating the group's standards of conduct. In the board's next meeting, which is set for April 18, a decision on what action to take will be discussed.

Smith accepted the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "King Richard." He was asked to leave but declined. "Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television," the Academy stated. "Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event."

Both Rock and Smith have reportedly spoken about the incident. Smith apologized to the comedian on Tuesday, while Rock talked about the incident in his first stand-up show since the slap on Wednesday night in Boston, saying he was still "processing" the incident.