A cast member from the Fox series “Empire” was injured in what police called a “possible racially charged assault and battery” early Tuesday in the Streeterville neighborhood.
The 36-year-old man was walking about 2 a.m. in the 300 block of East North Lower Water Street when two people walked up and “gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs,” police said. They then hit him in the face and “poured an unknown chemical substance on him.”
One of the attackers also put a rope around his neck before they ran away, police said. The victim walked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was in good condition.
Police did not name the victim, but a statement from 20th Century Fox identified him as Jussie Smollett.
“We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice,” studio officials wrote in the statement. “The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own.”
Police said the investigation was being treated as a “possible hate crime.”
Investigators are working to gather any video of the attack and speak to witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8382 or submit an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.
