Empire's Jussie Smollett Assaulted In Chicago, Police Investigate As Possible Hate Crime
Chicago (CBS) -- The Chicago Police Department received a report of a possible racially-charged assault and battery against an 'Empire' cast member. Sources told CBS 2 the cast member is Jussie Smollett.
Police said the victim was walking home from a Subway, in the 300 block of E. Lower North Water Street, around 2 a.m. when two offenders yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him.
The offenders then attacked the victim with their hands and poured an unknown chemical substance on the him.
[UPDATE: Jussie Smollett's Supporters React To Attack On Actor In Chicago]
A rope was also wrapped around the victim's neck.
The 36-year-old man took himself to Northwestern Hospital in good condition. The offenders fled the scene.
Police are investigating and treating this incident as a possible hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Anthony Gugliemi of the Chicago Police Department tweeted about the incident.
Fellow cast member Vivica A. Fox tweeted support for Jussie Smollett on Tuesday, "I'm just now hearing the news about the senseless hate attack on my #EMPiRE Nephew @JussieSmollett IM SO ANGRY AND HURT ABOUT THIS! THIS MUST STOP!! SPREAD LOVE NOT HATE! PRAYERS UP TO U NEPHEW!"
