Chicago police release images of ‘persons of interest’ in Jussie Smollett attack
The 'Empire' actor was attacked by two men over the weekend and a noose was placed around his neck
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Chicago police have released images of two men who they believe were involved in the racist and homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett.
The openly gay actor – who has portrayed gay character Jamal Lyon in the hit show Empire for five seasons since 2015, the same year he came out on The Ellen DeGeneres Show – was reportedly filming the upcoming season of the Fox show in Chicago, where he lives.
According to ThatGrapeJuice.net, the two attackers were wearing ski masks attacked him at around 2am on January 29 and tied a noose around the actor’s neck.
He was taken to hospital but was released and police have said he is in a ‘good condition’. The attack comes after he was sent a horrifying letter with cut out letters reading: “You will die black f*g.”
Now, chief communications officer for Chicago Police, Anthony Guglielmi, revealed the police department have released surveillance camera footage of ‘persons of interest’ who are wanted in connection with the attack.
Along with the images, Guglielmi wrote: “Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member.
“While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed”
Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member. While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed pic.twitter.com/xJDDygtocr
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 31, 2019