Empire’s Jussie Smollett was mistreated in Chicago during a potential hate crime

Police square measure work the assault and battery, that occurred early Tues morning.

Empire star Jussie Smollett was mistreated early Tues morning in Chicago, in associate attack which will are driven by racism and prejudice.

In a statement discharged by the Chicago palladium to the Hollywood newsman and therefore the Huffington Post, police same they're work the incident as A battery and a potential hate crime.

According to the statement, Smollett was ambushed outside of a Chicago edifice by 2 unidentified suspects World Health Organization approached him yelling prejudiced  and racist slurs. The suspects physically mistreated Smollett, poured associate unknown chemical substance on him, and wrapped a rope around his neck before outbound the scene. Smollett was concisely hospitalized once the incident and has since been discharged.

Police conjointly same that Smollett is absolutely cooperating with the investigation, which they're “currently operating to assemble video, establish potential witnesses associated establish an investigatory timeline.” The suspects haven't however been known or appreciated.

TMZ was the primary to report the news of Smollett’s attack, alleging many a lot of unconfirmed  details of the attack.

Smollett, World Health Organization is overtly gay, conjointly plays a queer character on Empire, Jamal Lyon.

The queer rights cluster GLAAD same it's contacted Smollett to supply its help, noting to the Hollywood newsman that “Jussie could be a true champion for LGBTQ individuals and is beloved by the community and allies round the world.”

Empire co-creator Danny robust condemned the attack and tweeted his support of Smollett.

A statement from Fox provided to THR enclosed staunch support of Smollett and a vow to ascertain justice done: “We square measure deeply saddened and umbrageous to find out that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was savagely attacked last night. we tend to send our like to Jussie, World Health Organization is resilient and robust, and that we can work with enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. the complete studio, network and production stand united within the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and particularly against one amongst our own.”

No any details on the attack or the suspects were on the market.