Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of the TV show Empire, reportedly was brutally attacked early Tuesday in what Chicago police are investigating as a possible hate crime. According to police, Smollett was walking on Tuesday when two unknown offenders approached him and started yelling “racial and homophobic slurs.” The offenders then used their hands to batter the victim and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. One of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck.
The chemical is believed to be bleach, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
“At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck,” the statement continued. “The offenders fled the scene.”
