Chicago police say the investigation into the possibly “racially-charged assault and battery” on “Empire” star Jussie Smollett is now in the hands of the FBI. Chicago police released a statement saying:
Two unknown offenders approached him and gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs toward him. The offenders began to batter the victim with their hands about the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim.
Sources directly connected to Jussie tell TMZ, the actor arrived in Chicago from New York late Monday, and at around 2 AM he was hungry and went to a Subway. We’re told when shortly after he walked out on his way home, someone yelled, “Aren’t you that f***ot ‘Empire’ n*****?”
The 2 men — both white and wearing ski masks — viciously attacked Jussie as he fought back, but they beat him badly and fractured a rib. They put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him and as they left they yelled, “This is MAGA country.”
Chicago Police
has confirmed to ABC that a threat was made to Jussie Smollett prior to the alleged attack. That investigation has been taken over the FBI.
— ????????? ???? (@WashNews) January 29, 2019
The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I’m glad he’s safe.
To those in Congress who don’t feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019
The racist, homophobic attack on @JussieSmollett is deeply troubling. Lives are at risk as this divisive, hateful rhetoric continues. We pray for his recovery & await any next steps we can take to support him & the many unnamed victims of these crimes. https://t.co/FDXkPHjIc2
— Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) January 29, 2019
Smollett is in the hospital and is said to be in good condition.
Police are hoping video from nearby surveillance cameras helps lead them to the suspects.
