Empire Actor Jussie Smollett Claims He Was Attacked By Men Shouting “MAGA Country”
Openly gay Empire actor Jussie Smollett reportedly told police he was attacked near the Chicago River around 2 a.m. Tuesday by two individuals who shouted he was in “MAGA country.”
According to a police report, Smollett claims the men not only shouted at him, but that they hit him in the face, and poured an “unknown substance” on him. They then proceeded to wrap a rope around his neck.
The Associated Press reports police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi indicated Smollett still had the rope around his neck when police first came into contact with him. Guglielmi also indicated that the alleged attackers were wearing masks.
ABC 7 Chicago’s Rob Elgas indicates that Smollett did not tell police his attackers shouted “MAGA” in the initial report. In fact, Elgas reports police only heard about the “MAGA country” shouting from media reports. They then conducted a supplemental interview and it was in that interview where Smollett indicated they shouted, “MAGA country.”
MORE: Chicago PD says detectives did a follow-up, supplemental interview with Jussie Smollett, where he did in fact tell police his attackers yelled “MAGA country.”
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 29, 2019
After Smollett was interviewed by police inside an apartment he took himself to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and he was reportedly in good condition.
Police responded to the initial call from a man who was with Smollett inside an apartment. He would eventually self-transport to Northwestern Hospital.
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 30, 2019
Guglielmi has been updating the public on the proceedings of the case via Twitter.
He noted the Chicago Police are investigating the alleged attack as a hate crime.
Statement on #ChicagoPolice hate crime investigation. We are taking these allegations very seriously and encourage anyone with information to report anonymously to https://t.co/yYAqzcVIfu pic.twitter.com/DxipALHXaz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019
He also noted the police are seeking anyone who might have been in the area of 300 E North Water St. between 1 and 3 a.m. He also indicated they have not discovered anything that would allow the police “to be able [to] put out a description.”
UPDATE: We continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in this case. Anyone who may hv been in area of 300 E North Water St btwn 1-3a should send info to https://t.co/g9Q1Srtgmc. Thus far we have not found anything to be able put out a description pic.twitter.com/wxdA0OOjZz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019
His most recent update indicated they expanded the search area, but have still not be able to discover “video of the alleged assailants or a vehicle.”
UPDATE: We continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in this case. Anyone who may hv been in area of 300 E North Water St btwn 1-3a should send info to https://t.co/g9Q1Srtgmc. Thus far we have not found anything to be able put out a description pic.twitter.com/wxdA0OOjZz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019
Elgas indicates that the Chicago Police are currently being assisted by the FBI. The investigation has turned up video of Smollett at a local Subway near the location of the crime as well as other video of him at the scene of the crime. However, they do not have any video of the assailants.
Chicago Police do not have any video of the assailants and continue to look for surveillance video. Investigators heard the “MAGA country” claim in media reports and called Smollett again. In that supplemental interview he shared that info with police. 2/2
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 30, 2019
The AP indicates police have “reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage but haven’t found any yet that shows the alleged attack.”
Chicago police say detectives have reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage but haven’t found any yet that shows the alleged attack on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett. https://t.co/zj2fs1MUyX
— AP Central U.S. (@APCentralRegion) January 30, 2019
Twentieth Ccentury Fox Television and Fox Entertainment, the companies behind Empire issued a statement:
“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 stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate – and especially against one of our own.”
Black Panther stars Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman took to Instagram to indicate their support for the Empire actor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtO8KyCA-pO/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQvQQfhWcI/
Empire co-creator Lee Daniels issued his own statement on Instagram saying, “You didn’t deserve, nor anybody deserves, to have a noose put around your neck.” He added, “You are better than that, we are better than that, America is better than that.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtOrBBmH6GK/
The Chicago Police are still conducting their investigation and this is an on-going story.
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