Few new details have emerged in the alleged assault on actor Jussie Smollett as investigators still look for any security footage of the incident.
The “Empire” actor claimed he was attacked Tuesday in Chicago by two men “yelling out racial and homophobic slurs” and who “poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim,” in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime, according to CNN.
“At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck,” the police statement said of the attack which allegedly happened around 2 a.m.
CPD also says: when Smollett contacted police at 2:42AM, he was still wearing the rope around his neck. The alleged encounter occurred at 2AM. Police have the rope and it will be analyzed.
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 29, 2019
Original reaction to the report was mixed as many condemned the attackers while others expressed skepticism, fueled by seemingly conflicting details such as the attackers screaming, “This is MAGA country!”
BS – Downtown Chicago is not Maga country – plus it’s like -30 degrees wind chill
— Robin Shine (@robin_shine) January 30, 2019
The surrounding suburbs are also not MAGA country. They would have had to make a long trip in from so called “MAGA country” just to attack this guy.
— Electric eng (@ElectricInvestr) January 30, 2019
“MAGA COUNTRY????” Downtown Chicago??????
— Jamie ??? (@Jamie89425903) January 29, 2019
Smollett reportedly did not tell Chicago police about the men yelling the phrase during the initial police interview.
Additionally, in their initial report, Jussie Smollett did not tell police his attackers yelled “MAGA.” Chicago Police PIO added: “I’m not saying it’s not true. He could have remembered later, but he did not tell officers that in the initial report.” 2/2
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 29, 2019
“In the initial reports there was no mention of MAGA. When detectives followed up with [Smollett] later in the day, he recalled the offenders making those comments and detectives completed a supplemental report,” the Chicago Police Department told E! News in a statement
MORE: Chicago PD says detectives did a follow-up, supplemental interview with Jussie Smollett, where he did in fact tell police his attackers yelled “MAGA country.”
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 29, 2019
Chicago Police do not have any video of the assailants and continue to look for surveillance video. Investigators heard the “MAGA country” claim in media reports and called Smollett again. In that supplemental interview he shared that info with police. 2/2
— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) January 30, 2019
UPDATE: Police have changed their mind about whether Smollett recalled a “MAGA” comment, and now tell me he did. This contradicts what the police told me on the phone and via email. At this point, I’ll await a statement from Smollett himself. https://t.co/2SRudifVpM
— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) January 30, 2019
“Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime,” the police statement said.
Statement on #ChicagoPolice hate crime investigation. We are taking these allegations very seriously and encourage anyone with information to report anonymously to https://t.co/yYAqzcVIfu pic.twitter.com/DxipALHXaz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019
But after reportedly scouring the neighborhood where the alleged attack took place, police have not been able to find anything yet other than security camera footage of the 36-year-old actor standing alone inside a Subway Sandwich shop near the scene of the crime. Police detectives along with the assistance of the FBI are working on the case and, as of yet, have not determined what the chemical was that Smollett said he was doused with.
CASE UPDATE: Tonight #ChicagoPolice detectives expanded the search area for cameras to be able to provide photos of the alleged assailants in this attack. Thus far, no video of the alleged assailants or a vehicle has been discovered but we are continuing to broaden our search pic.twitter.com/glRMbAX6D0
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 30, 2019
CNN reported that anchor Don Lemon spoke to Smollett at the hospital where he had taken himself and that he had confirmed the assault took place. Reports of the attackers possibly being Trump supporters got the instant attention of the left who found a way to blame the president.
The horrific attack on Jussie Smollett has no place in a decent human loving society. Homophobia existed before Trump, but there is no question that since he has injected his hatred into the American bloodstream, we are less decent,less human,& less loving. No intolerance! No DT!
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) January 30, 2019
Can we get anyone in the Trump orbit to condemn the 2 MAGA men who brutally attacked Jussie Smollett, a gay black man, and put his head in a noose while saying “This is MAGA country,” so others don’t feel like your silence is legitimizing hate? How about you @realDonaldTrump?
— Amy Siskind ?️? (@Amy_Siskind) January 30, 2019
Al Sharpton Says Trump Must Denounce Jussie Smollett’s MAGA Attackers https://t.co/TRKwY3GEO7
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 29, 2019
But with few new details and many questions unanswered, Twitter users continued to call out some of the portions of the allegations.
I don’t know who this person is
You are telling me 2 #MAGA guys who hate gays watch Empire and know who this? I just can’t see how someone could fit into this weird gay bashing MAGA sterotype but also watch Empire.
— Mike Hamberder (@MiKeUltra6) January 29, 2019
Oh and don’t forget, he was all alone so there’s not any witnesses. I want to know what he was doing out at that hour “all alone”.
— Etten (@27Etten52) January 29, 2019
According to other posts his story is already falling apart.
— Frannie (@Franniethepitx) January 30, 2019
Sounds like another hoax. They always are pic.twitter.com/5oIs7nFQbG
— smirky goy (@friendlygoy1) January 29, 2019
Not denying, questioning because it is incredulous. I find it difficult to believe someone can walk around with caustic chemicals and a noose without causing alarm. I’m sure there are witnesses or video footage so we will see when more info comes out.
— CMDR Piss Magnusson (@Piss_andVinegar) January 29, 2019
Two white guys, in ski masks, in Chicago? Seeking out an actor from Empire? Saying Chicago is MAGA country? Uh oh CNN. The MSM is about to be had again.
— Chris Simon (@EgoChris) January 29, 2019
Who leaves a rope around their neck for 42 minuets? the answer is no one
— NELSON (@NELSON38800130) January 30, 2019
Something about all of this situation does not seem right ?, horrible that this happened, if it happened ?hope I am wrong and they catch these animals
— nod40 (@mode1969) January 30, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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