UPDATE: At 3:16 p.m. on Monday, February 18th, TMZ revealed new reports from law enforcement close to the situation. According to their reports, “Jussie Smollett rehearsed the “attack” against him days before the incident and it was all staged for the camera, this according to what the 2 brothers told cops.” The two brothers also added, “They got in a car with Jussie and scouted a location, settling on the one right outside the actor’s apartment.” The brothers concluded, “Jussie chose the spot because he believed a camera would have captured the action.”
It’s been an interesting few weeks involving Empire actor, Jussie Smollett. At the end of January, Smollett made headlines when he was attacked in downtown Chicago. Initial reports indicated that Smollett was the target of a hate crime that resulted in bleach being thrown at him and a rope being tied around his neck. In the days that followed, Chicago Police released grainy images of two people of interest in the ongoing case. After a quiet few days, more details have been revealed in the case.
This week, Chicago Police located and searched the home of the two men who were identified as people of interest. Law enforcement reportedly found bleach, shoes and electronics among other items. The two men were then taken into questioning and reportedly cooperated with officials. According to a report from CNN, police have discovered records that prove the two bought the rope found around Smollett’s neck at an ACE Hardware store in Chicago. After cooperating with law enforcement, the two men were released prior to the holiday weekend
While the two were being questioned, a report that suggested Smollett had orchestrated the attack because his character was being written off Empire had emerged. Chicago Police officials originally characterized this claim as “inaccurate“, but it has resurfaced yet again. The Hollywood Reporter and CNN indicate that the Chicago Police Department now believe that Smollett paid the two men to attack him. As reported by CNN, “Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation told CNN that Chicago Police believe Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate the assault.”
Neither Jussie Smollett or Fox have publicly commented on the latest reports.
