Packer detailed how the Los Angeles Police Department was prepared to place Smith under arrest for assault, according to Good Morning America.

“That is an absolute fact,” Packer said. “The LAPD made it clear: ‘We will do whatever you want us to do, and one of the options is that we will go and arrest him right now.'”

As Packer explained in the interview, Rock was reluctant to press charges against Smith when the LAPD appeared on the scene.

“I made that clear, like, ‘Rock, you tell me, whatever you want to do, brother,'” the producer said. “The LAPD came and needed to talk to Chris. And so they came into my office and they were laying out very clearly what Chris’ rights were. They were saying: ‘This is battery. We will go get him. We will go get him right now, you can press charges, we can arrest him.'”

Rock dismissed the options and insisted he was “fine” after the incident.

On Wednesday, the Academy issued a statement explaining the organization had asked the King Richard star to leave the premises.

“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” the statement read, CBS News reports. “While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”

“Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment,” the statement added. “We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”

However, reports from sources directly connected to the altercation’s aftermath contradicted the Academy’s response, TMZ reports.

Three sources allege that there were intense conversations and an agreement on how to handle the situation could not be reached. Packer approached Smith around 8 p.m., about 35 minutes after he slapped Rock, and informed him he could remain at the ceremony, according to TMZ. About five minutes later, Smith won the award for best actor.

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