NEW ORLEANS (CelebrityAccess) — Law enforcement officials in New Orleans have arrested a man they believe assaulted the controversial comedian Andy Dick outside of one of the city’s nightclubs.
According to Fox News, New Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Philip Stelly said aid 46-year-old David Hale was arrested early Wednesday and is facing charges of second-degree battery and simple battery.
Police said the man was arrested following a tip from Crimestoppers
Surveillance video obtained by local media outlets appeared to show a man in dark clothing punching an unaware Dick outside of One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter shortly after the comedian performed there.
Robert Couvillion, Dick’s booking agent, told Fox News that his client was “cold-cocked” and was unconscious for 15 minutes after the attack. Dick was hospitalized for several days and missed a second performance at the club before returning to Los Angeles on Monday.
“We thought he was dead. Then, when he did get up, he thought he was in L.A. He was unresponsive, his eyes were swimming in his head and it was really bad,” Couvillion told Fox News.
Guitarist Paris Dylan, who performed with Dick on the night of the alleged assault, said the attack appeared to be unprovoked.
In a statement to Nola.com, Dylan said: “What’s shocking to me is how clear it is that the assailant wasn’t provoked in any way. That he attacked with the intent to severely injure or even kill, out of nowhere. It was a very frightening scene.”
