Empire star Jussie Smollett was assaulted early Tuesday morning in Chicago, in an attack that may have been motivated by racism and homophobia.
Empire’s Jussie Smollett was assaulted in Chicago in a possible hate crime
Police are investigating the attack, which occurred early Tuesday morning.
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Aja Romano wrote about pop culture, media, and ethics. Before joining Vox in 2016, they were a staff reporter at the Daily Dot. A 2019 fellow of the National Critics Institute, they’re considered an authority on fandom, the internet, and the culture wars.
In a statement released by the Chicago PD to the Hollywood Reporter and the Huffington Post, police said they are investigating the incident as a battery and a possible hate crime.
According to the statement, Smollett was ambushed outside of a Chicago restaurant by two unidentified suspects who approached him yelling homophobic and racist slurs. The suspects physically assaulted Smollett, poured an unknown chemical substance on him, and wrapped a rope around his neck before departing the scene. Smollett was briefly hospitalized after the incident and has since been released.
Police also said that Smollett is fully cooperating with the investigation, and that they are “currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline.” The suspects have not yet been identified or apprehended.
TMZ was the first to report the news of Smollett’s attack, alleging several more unconfirmed details of what happened.
Smollett, who is openly gay, also plays a queer character on Empire, Jamal Lyon.
The queer rights group GLAAD said it has contacted Smollett to offer its assistance, noting to the Hollywood Reporter that “Jussie is a true champion for LGBTQ people and is beloved by the community and allies around the world.”
Empire co-creator Danny Strong condemned the attack and tweeted his support of Smollett.
Fox, which airs Empire, issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter that included support for Smollett and a vow to see justice done: “We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. The entire studio, network and production stand united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own.”
