The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday it was opening an inquiry into the assault actor Will Smith committed on comedian Chris Rock at last night’s Oscars, the New York Times reports.  Smith slapped Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife lack of hair; Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, suffers from alopecia.

“The academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the organization said in a statement issued after meeting Monday. “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.”

Rock issued a statement of apology Monday:

As a comedian it can be difficult to understand which lines are to be crossed and which ones aren’t. Last night I crossed a line that I shouldn’t have and paid the enormous price of my reputation as a renown comedian. Comedy is never about poking fun at or making lite [sic] of people with major ordeals happening in their lives. Comedy is about using real life circumstances to create laughter and bring light to an otherwise dark world. With that said, I sincerely apologize to my friends Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will Smith, and the rest of the Smith family for the disrespect and disregard I displayed which was unfortunately broadcast for the world to see. I hope that, with time, forgiveness can come of this situation and we can all be better, more considerate people in the end.