'Empire' star hospitalized after possible homophobic attack in Chicago

[Initech]

Last edited Tue Jan 29, 2019, 01:30 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Fox 5 New York

"Empire" star Jussie Smollett was brutally attacked by two men who beat him up, put his head in a noose and screamed, "This is MAGA country," TMZ is reporting.

Sources directly connected to Smollett tell TMZ, the actor arrived in Chicago from New York late Monday, and at around 2 a.m. he was hungry and went to a Subway. TMZ was told when he walked out, someone yelled, "Aren't you that f***ot 'Empire' n*****?"

The two men -- both white and wearing ski masks -- viciously attacked Smollett as he fought back, but they beat him badly and fractured a rib. They put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him and as they left they yelled, "This is MAGA country."

Smollett was taken to Northwestern Memorial where he was treated. He was discharged later Tuesday morning.

Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released this statement about the attack: "Overnight, the Chicago Police Department received a report of a possible racially-charged assault and battery involving a cast member of the television show Empire. Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime. Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline. T

Read more: http://www.fox5ny.com/entertainment/tmz-empire-star-hospitalized-after-possible-homophobic-attack-in-chicago

---

Sigh... more Trump inspired terrorism.

[Achilleaze]

1. What, the thugs just happened to have masks and a rope with them?

[Initech]

3. They must be into that sort of thing.

[Ilsa]

6. Out there looking to impress "dear leader." nt

[demmiblue]

13. According to a gossip site, he recieved this threat earlier:

https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2019/01/jussie-smollett-hospitalized-homophobic-hate-attack/

Perhaps it was a pre planned attack.

[Initech]

23. I wonder how they would know unless they were stalking him?

Sick fucks!

[dbackjon]

17. Looks like it was premediated

https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2019/01/jussie-smollett-hospitalized-homophobic-hate-attack/

He had received threatening letters.

He was stalked.

[Wounded Bear]

44. I think you mean premeditated...

Pre-mediating might have avoided the violence.

[marble falls]

60. Premedication might have stopped it, too.

[Blue_Tires]

21. "Economic anxieties" strike again

[Anon-C]

38. And bleach, and just happened to ambush him leaving a Subway at 2am?

They must have left Kanye's Superman Cape in the truck.

[Harker]

42. And a jug of bleach?

That's bizarre.

[generalbetrayus]

48. To bleach him white?

That's all I can think of.

[Harker]

51. That crossed my mind as a really sick possibility. n/t

[AllaN01Bear]

2. again, idiots making themselves judge , jury and excoutioner.

[Freethinker65]

4. Yikes!

[dbackjon]

5. Very scary

[ZeroSomeBrains]

7. I'm not that surprised unfortunately

There's a lot of racist people here in Chicago. These actions are reprehensible and those who did this to him should be held responsible and thrown in jail.

[Initech]

10. The sad thing is Trump could denounce this shit.

But he hasn't, probably won't say anything. And if he does it will probably be completely insensitive and he'll invite the MAGAts to the White House.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

15. He never will denounce these types

He wants these people to do horrible things so that he and only he can fix it by bringing in the National Guard or the military. This presidency can't end fast enough.

[thegoose]

36. Hell no

Gay and black? He'll buy the MAGATS a Burger King feast.

[Cold War Spook]

41. Gee,

I was driving through Chicago in 1967. I was stopped for speeding. I had a friendly chat with the cop and he didn't even give me a ticket? Oh I forgot to mention, I am White, in uniform and had my orders on me since I just got back to the states.

[mwb970]

8. trump's thugs strike again.

[SoCalNative]

9. Fox NY

Local affiliate, not to be confused with Faux News network

[jaysunb]

11. Bleach, rope, ski masks at 2 am at Subway?

Something seems awfully fishy about this.

[Initech]

12. You can store a lot of crap in a rusted out '57 Chevy.

[Calista241]

14. Yeah, they were awfully prepared for a random maga nutjob hit.

He had just traveled to Chicago, and was only outside his hotel because he was hungry at 2:00 am. And two random white dudes not only recognized him, but were fully equipped with ski masks and a noose?

[dbackjon]

19. It was premeditated

Last edited Tue Jan 29, 2019, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)

He was in Chicago for filming

https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2019/01/jussie-smollett-hospitalized-homophobic-hate-attack/


Details are incoming, however it appears the horrendous incident was premeditated.

For, sources say Smollett first received this chilling threat through the post.


Sources add that the 35-year-old, who resides in Chicago while filming the hit FOX series, was later attacked around 2am this morning by two men in ski-masks. Both of whom placed a noose around his neck.

[Calista241]

47. It's sorta believable, but i still have questions.

For instance, it was a random trip. What were they going to do if he didn't get hungry at 2:00 am, or if he was sleepy? Just sit around and wait for him to exit his hotel, perhaps in broad daylight? Police tend to ask people questions if they're loitering, even of white people. And it would be hard to explain away ski masks and nooses.

[dawg day]

56. Nooses maybe. But it's very cold in Chicago--

Ski masks are common.

[marble falls]

61. Premeditated or not, I have a baraclava and plenty of rope in my car. And I've been know to stop ...

late at night for bite. And I haven't committed any crimes outside of a doobie habit.

[dbackjon]

18. He had received threatening letters

He was in Chicago for filming

https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2019/01/jussie-smollett-hospitalized-homophobic-hate-attack/


Details are incoming, however it appears the horrendous incident was premeditated.

For, sources say Smollett first received this chilling threat through the post.


Sources add that the 35-year-old, who resides in Chicago while filming the hit FOX series, was later attacked around 2am this morning by two men in ski-masks. Both of whom placed a noose around his neck.

[oldsoftie]

25. I didnt want to be the first to notice that.

Even if it was known he was going to be in town, would people really be waiting at 2am for him to randomly exit his hotel?
There should also be cameras around too.
We'll see.

[dbackjon]

31. And another

Pathetic

[oldsoftie]

73. Pointing out glaring oddities in a reported crime isnt unreasonable at all.

[TexasBushwhacker]

40. Maybe he makes 2 am Subway runs regularly

Shooting TV shows can make for weird hours, especially something like Empire that has a lot of night shoots. 2 am might be his 8 pm.

[Hortensis]

16. Thank goodness he's not permanently injured.

This must have been truly terrifying, though, and that trauma won't quickly mend.

[JohnnyRingo]

20. Wow! Things are getting out of control.

Racism and racial intimidation have been with us forever, but the actions seem bolder of late. It's possible that a spotlight has been more focused on the problem in the age of Trump, but I believe there's been at least a modest uptick in the underlying hatred.

I note this isn't the deep south here, but an area with a considerable minority population that usually receives modest tolerance, further evidence that this is inspired by the Pardoner in Chief.

[Traildogbob]

59. Deep wound of America

The deep infected wound of America, from the beginning, is whites taking, and killing anyone of color in their way. Indegionous genecide from the get go. Give me the resources, worship my white God, speak my language and enslave a race to do the work for my wealth. It has always been there and after civil rights laws were passed a huge bandage was placed over the rotting wound to keep it on the down low. Trump ripped the bandage off, and the MAGAT's (baby fly larva) came rushing into the light and now creating many more wounds to feast on. And the white GOD told em it is his message and they will be with him in heaven for following his demands. Fuck whites and their white God. Sick of it all. (I am White, I served with very many nationalities, during and after the draft. Those nationalities joined to fight for this country even after the disgraceful VietNam war. These MAGAT's have served nothing, except a sick white rule idealogogy under a cloak of a fucked up God. Making AmurKKKa Great. 🖕🏼🐘💩

[greyl]

64. Right on. nt

[dbackjon]

22. It's pretty sad that the first reaction from multiple posters

Is to NOT condemn the violence, but to question the story.

[obamanut2012]

24. yup, sickening

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. This

[mr_lebowski]

29. It's not that unreasonable to question this story, esp. since the OP doesn't explain the previous

receipt of hate-mail, nor the fact that the actor apparently resides in Chicago when the show is in filming, i.e. this wasn't a one-off type of arrival in the city as the OP suggests.

It does 'sound fishy' without that bit of info.

Dudes had rope, ski-masks and bleach, and just happened upon this actor at 2AM at Subway when he JUST arrived in Chicago?

Once you understand he lives in Chicago at least part-time, and that he received a threatening letter ... it starts to make more sense as a premeditated attack by a couple MAGA hate-filled stalkers who probably knew where he lives when he's in Chicago.

Me, if I were the cops? Unless the victim has never been to that Subway, I'd be looking closely at the employees at that establishment for any Nazi types.

I have a question: I know there's a gay character on Empire, but is the actor himself also gay IRL?

[LanternWaste]

30. Rational skepticism (by definition) would lead to research of sum or story in question

Rather than simply stating "I'm skeptical... but too lazy to do any follow-up at all on it."

[dbackjon]

32. Yup

The links I posted were readily available with a 10-second search.


But instead, our resident "Progressives" choose to downplay racism and homophobia.

[mr_lebowski]

35. Nobody downplayed racism and homophobia, dude(tte) ...

Going a bit far with that accusation.

Accusing your fellow progressives of 'being lazy' might be fair in this case, but accusing of them by extension of essentially not caring about horrible violence against gay black people due to their orientation and race is quite a leap.

IMHO.

[dbackjon]

68. Yes, they are downplaying racism and homophobia by questioning the story.

Open your eyes

[LongtimeAZDem]

86. I'm hoping that, if recent developments turn out to be true, that you will apologize

[Inkfreak]

67. good to know you are on the case, detective.

[oldsoftie]

74. Skepticism in case with very odd circumstances isnt odd at all; follow up is done. Apology accepted.

[tulipsandroses]

34. Yes he is gay

And also an activist
I don't doubt that he was attacked for being all the above. Black, Gay and an activist that speaks out against this administration

[happy feet]

43. Yes -noted and who

[FreeState]

65. +1 it's par for the course here n/t

[Cass]

70. My thought exactly (nt)

[tulipsandroses]

27. I am trying to compose myself after seeing this on MSNBC

Jussie has been very outspoken regarding so many issues. He is a fearless activist. This is so shocking and chilling. He was on Rev A's show just this past Sunday and Rev Al remarked that he puts himself out there on the frontline moreso than many in Hollywood. Jussie doesn't only talk, he walks the walk.

I'm so shook up by this. I know Jussie will come back even stronger against this heinous attack. We will not be silenced!!!!

[elleng]

28. Oh right, Chicago is definitely 'MAGA country.'

[dbackjon]

33. Are you saying this is false?

[elleng]

37. I'm saying that Chicago (where I lived for 10 years)

doesn't strike me as fertile ground for the MAGA bunch, but I recognize the power of propaganda of the right, and it's been pulling on our culture for many years.

[dbackjon]

45. Some of the most racist people I know came from Chicago

[elleng]

49. Sad. I lived in Hyde Park (Obabma's neighborhood,

represented by Abner Mikva for years,) worked in the loop, and attended DePaul College of Law.

[Anon-C]

55. Well, in just trying to develop a hip pocket profile I would note that Chicago...

...does have a locus of gang activity that overlaps with white supremacists...Aryan Brotherhood, Gaylords, Peckerwoods, etc.

[TeapotInATempest]

46. "This is MAGA country"

The hell it is. Chicago is a deep blue city and we are NOT going to put up with this kind of crap.

If these guys they think they're so tough...well, I suspect they're going to be disabused of that notion.

[elleng]

50. Thanks

[ancianita]

52. Been in Chi since 1973; it's not MAGA country. Chi stopped all MAGA hopes of a 2016 rally, remember?

[ChicagoRonin]

53. Not that I want to necessarily go into conspiracy territory . . .

Assuming everything reported is true, my personal theory is that someone (one or more) involved in the production of "Empire" either tipped off these bozos as to Smollett's routine or movements, or were involved in the beating itself.

Chicago (my home) doesn't generally feel like MAGA territory, but I know there's Trump supporters here and there.

And although show business is generally a pretty liberal-leaning business, there's a lot of blue collar types working crew (lights, trucks, etc.).

Not that I want to slam blue-collar types, but I'm also an actor of color, and I've heard my share of reactionary, racist, crass sh*t from the guys working behind the scenes. And I'm sure some of them get pretty resentful carting stuff for seemingly pampered, successful TV stars and their liberal-leaning politics and ways.

[oldsoftie]

63. Didnt think of that but it would make a lot of it "fit"

It would certainly help explain how 2 guys with masks, rope, bleach, etc, would be right there at 2am when he wanted a sandwich. Not to mention acting like they "just" recognized him; its below zero in Chicago; he'd be wrapped up too tight to SEE who he was.

But if someone working on the show who didnt like him was involved, they could be tipped off easily.

[bdamomma]

54. Homegrown terrorism

brought to us by this racist white extremist POS squatting in the WH.

[Initech]

58. You know they say a leader is reflective of the people who chose them to lead.

So if Trump is the biggest asshole on the planet, what does that say about the people who voted for him?

[Dr. Strange]

71. Maybe not homegrown.

Suspects are from Nigeria.

[bdamomma]

72. thanks for

correction.

[madville]

78. Police sources are telling CNN that the suspects claim Smollett paid them

to stage the attack. Smollett could be charged with a class 4 felony carrying a 1-3 year sentence if this is true.

[John Fante]

57. Any pictures of Smollet flipping the bird and mugging on social media?

The media needs to find out - it's extremely important in a case like this.

[madville]

62. I read that the FBI is taking over the investigation

They are really good at figuring these kinds of incidents out, hopefully they can get to the bottom of it quickly.

[FreeState]

66. Yes let's hope they catch the perpetrators soon n/t

[madville]

75. Police sources: New evidence suggests Jussie Smollett orchestrated attack

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html

Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation told CNN that Chicago Police believe Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate the assault.

The brothers, who were arrested Wednesday, were released without charges Friday after Chicago police cited the discovery of "new evidence." The sources told CNN that the two men are now cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Smollett told authorities he was attacked early January 29 by two men who were "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs." He said one attacker put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him.

The sources told CNN that there are records that show the two brothers purchased the rope found around Smollett's neck at an Ace Hardware store in Chicago.

[Initech]

76. Plot twist!

[Kurt V.]

77. Chicago PD is pushing back against this narrative but time will tell.

[madville]

82. They're trying to be neutral

But the internal leaks are starting to make their spokesperson look ridiculous. All major media networks are reporting this now.

[Kurt V.]

83. It's only two sources. and the major networks just feed off one another.

but they still may be right. we will see.

[janterry]

80. seemed obvious that it was faked

I was surprised that so many believed this.

I guess with all those investigators, we'll find out more details - soon.

[snowybirdie]

79. This story is two weeks old

Latest today is tv star is accused of hiring two black men to beat him up. Sad if true

[underpants]

81. Cops are thinking he orchestrated it.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211828843

[at140]

84. Whoops

I hope he will be required to pay for all the wasted police manhours,
which could have been used to catch real criminals.

[metalbot]

85. The wasted police man-hours?

That's the least damaging part of making up an attack like this.

Two weeks ago in Austin, a gay couple was beaten leaving a bar in what was an actual homophobic attack. Two years from now, few people will remember that attack, but nobody is going to forget "that time when a gay actor made up a story about being the victim of an attack". False reports like this are _incredibly_ damaging to people who are actually victims of horrible crimes.

[dalton99a]

87. +1

[at140]

88. Police wasted time on a fake homophobic attack instead

they could have spent that time investigating real homophobic attacks, which in a big city like Chicago many not be hard to find. That is the real waste of man power.

[jcmaine72]

89. But how would they have known it was fake when he first reported it?

I'm no fan of the police, but I'll at least credit them with doing their due diligence here. It sounds like they took the (alleged) attack on Smollett very seriously and investigated this case pretty vigorously, which is precisely what we should want the police to do in a case like this.

In the end, any negative consequences, such as wasted manpower and OT, that may have resulted from this being a staged incident should fall squarely on Smollett's shoulders.