All we know about the so-called attack on the star "Empire & # 39;

February 18, 2019, 02:42 GMT

By Janelle Griffith

Chicago police announced Sunday that she was to conduct follow-up talks on the alleged attack on "Empire" star Jussie Smollett, referring to him as "the person who reported the incident".

"Although we are unable to confirm, deny, or comment on the validity of the unofficially disclosed documents, our investigation has undergone some development." Anthony Guglielmi, Chicago police spokesman, said in a statement. tweet.

Here is what else we know:

Initial report

On January 29, Smollett filed a report with the Chicago Police Department stating that two masked men had thrown racist and homophobic slurs before hitting him. The actor, who is black and homosexual, also said that his assailants had poured him what he thought was bleach and put the rope around his neck. Many celebrities, including members of the "Empire" cast and gay rights advocates, have shown their support for Smollett on social media.

Possible hate crime

From the beginning, the police department stated that he was investigating the alleged attack as a possible hate crime.

& # 39; People of interest & # 39;

Chicago police said on Jan. 30 that a thorough review of the security video in the alleged assault and Smollett's battery had revealed "potentially interesting people" that investigators would want to question. Officials released footage of a surveillance camera located near where Smollett said he was attacked. Before this break, the case seemed to be stopped while the detectives had reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and other types of videos without any track.

Refuse to share phone records

On January 31, the Chicago police announced that Smollett had refused to share phone records showing that he was talking with his manager at the very moment the alleged assault had occurred, which he had claimed. The official had told the police that he had heard the attackers say, "This is the country of MAGA," during the assault, officials said.

President Donald Trump appeared that day at the Oval Office, saying the attack was "horrific" and "not getting worse".

The Smollett family expresses

On the same day, the authorities stated that Smollett had refused to hand over his mobile phone to the investigators. His family issued a statement: "We want to be clear, it was a crime of racial and homophobic hate. Jussie told the police everything from the beginning. His story has never changed and we hope that they will find these men and bring them to justice. "

Treat him like a victim

Chicago police chief Eddie T. Johnson told NBC Chicago on February 1 that the detectives would not require Smollett to hand over his mobile phone or phone records. Johnson said the allegations as described to the police "are horrible, horrible and frankly cowardly".

"He is a victim and we treat him as a victim and he has been very cooperative," Johnson said. "We are making progress in our investigation and hope that we will soon achieve a successful solution."

& # 39; 100% factual & # 39;

Smollett released his first official statement on February 1, thanking his family, friends and fans for their support following this alleged attack.

"I work with the authorities and I am 100% factual and consistent at all levels," he said. "Despite my frustrations and deep concern about some inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been aired, I still believe justice will be done."

Partial registrations delivered

Smollett gave the detectives partial records of the use of his mobile phone on February 11, marking 13 days since the alleged assault. The actor gave investigators a PDF file containing a written list of his appeals, said a police spokesman at NBC News.

Anger against those who doubted its history

In his first interview on the incident, the actor told ABC's "Good Morning America" ​​that he was angry at the alleged attack and against those who doubted his story.

Social media users began to question his claims after police said they were not able to find a video of the alleged attack.

Smollett said that he did not want to return his phone because he had "pictures, videos and private numbers", and that he was already suspicious because of the reaction of some to his story of l & # 39; attack.

He also stated that he thought that although he had claimed that his attacker was a minority, no one would have doubted him.

"I have the impression that if I had said that it was a Muslim, a Mexican or a black, I think the unbelievers would have me far more supported, which says a lot about the current situation in our country "Smollett told ABC News.

& # 39; People of interest & # 39; identified

On Thursday morning, a few hours after the Smollett interview broadcast on ABC News, the Chicago police announced that "through careful investigation" she had identified two people of interest.

"These people are not yet suspects but were in a troubling area and are being questioned," a police spokesman said in a statement. tweet.

Later, the police claimed to have searched at least one property as part of the investigation but that she still had no reason to commit this attack.

"Happy, there is progress"

In a statement to NBC News last Thursday, a Smollett representative greeted the identification of two people of interest.

"We are pleased that the business is progressing and are waiting for more details," said his representative.

Released due to new evidence

On Friday night, police said they released the two men who had been interrogated without charge and that they were no longer considered suspects.

"Due to new evidence resulting from today's interrogations, those interviewed by the police in the Empire case have been released without charge and investigators have an investigative job." extra to complete, "said a spokesman for the police in a statement.

Probe moves to find out if the actor has organized the incident

On Sunday, a police source aware of the investigation told NBC News that the investigation was aimed at determining whether the actor had paid to two men interviewed as part of the case to prepare an agression.

A Chicago police spokesman said Saturday night that "the trajectory of the investigation" had changed.

"We asked the Empire cast member's lawyer to request a follow-up interview," the spokesman said.

Smollett's lawyers have denied any suggestion that the actor is complicit. They said that Smollett was a victim of a hate crime and that he was cooperating with the police.

"He is once again the victim of accusations attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack," said the lawyers.