Jussie Smollett Involved In Suspected Homophobic and Racist Attack
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Hollywood actor, Jussie Smollett who is best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the hit TV show “Empire†was attacked by two men in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to reports, the two men who were identified as white were wearing ski masks, and they assaulted the film star by putting his head in a noose and screamed,
“This is MAGA country.â€
The assailants then went on to reportedly beat Smollet, poured bleach on him, put a rope around his neck and left him with a fractured rib. The actor had to take himself to the hospital, Northwestern Memorial and was later discharged that morning.
It is learnt that the incident happened when Smollet was on his way to get food when someone yelled,
“Aren’t you that f***ot ‘Empire’ n*****?â€
Celebrity gossip site, ThatGrapeJuice.Net posted a letter that was sent to Fox Studios in Chicago with cut out letters spelling,
“You will die black f**.â€
The envelope the letter arrived in appears to say MAGA in the upper left corner.
The Hate crime letter | Photo – TheGrapeJuice.Net
It is gathered that the letter was sent eight days ago and the FBI was already investigating the letter containing racist and homophobic slurs before the attack happened.
Currently, the case is being investigated by the police as battery and a possible hate crime. Chicago PD also confirms Smollet still had the rope around his neck when he made contact with them.
According to the celebrity gossip site, TMZ, the police recently visited a Target Department Store close to where the incident happened and obtained surveillance footage. The video reportedly shows one person presumably Smollett walking down the street. Officers also visited a nearby apartment building to ask for video.
“Empire†creator, Lee Daniels who expressed his outrage and horror over the attack briefly posted, but then deleted, a screen grab from a FaceTime he had with Smollett while he was in the hospital.
Jussie Smollett and Lee Daniels FaceTime screenshot | Photo – TMZ
Fox also issued this statement below,
“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.â€
Smollett’s character in “Empire†is also that of a g*y singer who is the son of a music couple.
Source:
guardian.ng/life/jussie-smollett-involved-in-suspected-homophobic-and-racist-attack/
