“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was attacked in the early morning hours on Tuesday in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime.
Smollett was attacked by two people “yelling out racial and homophobic slurs” and “poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim,” police said.
According to police, one of Smollett’s alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck. Both fled the scene.
Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and “is in good condition,” police said.
Chicago Police Department Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said police “continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in [the Jussie Smollett] case.”
“Thus far we have not found anything to be able put out a description,” Guglielmi tweeted from a verified account.
On Tuesday, Don Lemon(of CNN) spoke to Smollett and a mutual friend who was at the hospital with the actor. Smollett confirmed the incident took place.
He was shaken and angry that an attack like this could happen. Smollett said he fought back at the attackers.
“Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime,” the police statement said.
Smollett has starred on Fox’s “Empire” since 2015. He plays Jamal, a successful singer in the musical Lyon family. Like his character, Smollett identifies as gay. (via CNN)
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