BOSTON – An unruly audience member who interrupted Chris Rock’s comedy show on Wednesday was pepper-sprayed and arrested after going berserk over the venue’s mask policy, police said.
Kaleb Herd, 25, was busted after he and his father were escorted from their seats in the orchestra section of the Wilbur Theatre during Rock’s first standup performance since he was slapped by actor Will Smith during Sunday’s Oscar ceremony.
The father and son were allegedly being loud and disruptive when staff approached them during Rock’s set and told them to put their face masks on, as per theater policy.
“He obviously had a few in him and whatever,” Quincy, Mass., resident Angela Long said. “He was kind of loud and people were saying, ‘We can’t hear, we are here to listen.’ It went back and forth and there was a ruckus … He stopped the show for a little bit.”
The theater owner told police he had heard someone yell, “F–k Will Smith,” according to a police report obtained by The Post, but it wasn’t clear if that comment came from Herd.
Boston police arrive at the scene of Kaleb Herd’s confrontation with cops and theater staff.David McGlynn
Kaleb Herd and his father were apparently heckling about the Wilbur Theatre’s mask policy.WCVB
Footage shows Kaleb Herd, in a white shirt, being disruptive outside The Wilbur Theatre in Boston.WCVB
A police officer on the scene heard the commotion and came to assist the staff, the report said. The men were angry that staff members “were not telling any of the white patrons to put on their masks,” according to the report.
The officer asked the men to lower their voices, but when Herd didn’t comply, the pair were told they had to leave, the report said.
An enraged Herd jumped from his seat and allegedly threatened staff and the officer, the report said.
Kaleb Herd was arrested by police after screaming during Chris Rock’s comedy show in Boston.WCVB
Kaleb Herd apparently ranted about authorities “ruining his father’s birthday,” police say.WCVB
The men had alcohol on their breath, the reporting officer said in his report.
Herd’s father tried to pull his son out of the theater but the disruption continued as they exited the building. Herd then “pushed his father out of the way and onto the ground in order to be further confrontational while he continued to voice his displeasure about being removed and that everyone was ruining his father’s birthday,” the police report said.
The confrontation continued outside of the theater, where the disgruntled theater-goer allegedly lunged at the officer as his father continued to try to play peacekeeper, cops said.
Kaleb Herd allegedly lunged at a police officer.WCVB
Footage shows two police officers holding Kaleb Herd on the ground after pepper-spraying him.WCVB
Kaleb Herd was slapped with four charges, including disorderly conduct and assault after his behavior at Chris Rock’s gig.WCVB
The officer then pepper-sprayed Herd, who dropped to the ground. The father was also treated for the effects of the spray.
Herd was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and assault and battery. He was arraigned Thursday and released, according to police.
The kerfuffle caused Rock to temporarily stop the show and ask, “Is everything OK over there?” as the commotion grew, audience member Andrew Nodell, 34, told The Post.
Kaleb Herd’s father was also pepper-sprayed during the confrontation.David McGlynn
Chris Rock set at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre was his first since he was slapped by Will Smith’s at the Oscars.Patriot Pics / BACKGRID
“He said, ‘Is this what every show is going to be like?’” Nodell said.
“It was a moment where you thought of Sunday night where you’re like, ‘Wait is everything going to be violent?’”
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