Jussie Smollett hospitalized: an actor of "the Empire" assaulted in a possible hate crime, the assailants shouted "the country of MAGA"

Chicago police opened an investigation for hate crime after a member of the cast of the TV show "Empire" claimed that he had been attacked by men who he had shouted racial and homophobic insults and physically assaulted him.

The 36-year-old cast member's name indicates that he was attacked while walking in the downtown area around 2 am on Tuesday. Chicago police said the state law forbade them to name the victims, but 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment confirmed that the alleged victim was Jussie Smollett, who identifies as a homosexual.

MAGA "during the assault, confirmed the Chicago Police at CBS News.TMZ first reported the details of the attack.

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Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the victim reported that two men approached him and started shouting racial and homophobic slurs. He added that they then hit him in the face and poured him an unknown chemical substance before one of them wrapped around his neck. They then fled, police said.

"Given the seriousness of the allegations, we take this investigation very seriously and treat it as a possible hate crime," Guglielmi said in a statement.

The man went to Northwestern Memorial. Hospital. Guglielmi said that the man was being treated at the hospital and that he was in good condition. The victim cooperates fully with the investigators.

"We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that one of our EMPIRE family members, Jussie Smollett, was violently attacked last night," said 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment to a statement issued at CBS News. "We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice." The entire studio, network and production is united face to any despicable act of violence and hatred – and especially against one of ours. "

Members of the television industry, fans and advocates, including NAACP, GLAAD and the Anti Project -Violence, marched Tuesday in social media to condemn the alleged assault.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement that the group was "troubled to hear about the recent racist and homophobic attack against the winner of the NAACP Image Award," he said. acclaimed actor and activist Jussie Smollett ". GLAAD called for a thorough investigation of the incident.

The co-creator of "The Empire," Danny Strong, said "deeply saddened and horrified" by the incident.

"Whoever did this do not forget that you are nothing but hating cowards while the talent and activism of Jussie will continue to shed light on the world for decades, "Strong said.

FBI data released last year indicated a rate of 17%. increase in hate crimes between 2016 and 2017. Hate crimes based on race, ethnicity or ancestry were the most common, accounting for about 60% of the total. The latest FBI report also revealed that 15.8% of hate crimes committed in 2017 resulted from a sexual orientation bias. According to the FBI, hate crimes motivated by racial prejudice have increased by about 18% and assaults against LGBTQ people by 5%, according to the FBI.

The Anti-Violence Project notes that hateful violence against LGBTQ people is on the rise. 46% of LGBTQ victims of hate violence who have suffered an injury in 2017, up from 31% in 2016.

The Chicago police said it was still looking for evidence and filming videos for identify potential authors. Until now, the police have not developed any information to be able to give a suspicious description, tweeted Guglielmi Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information is invited to submit their advice at http://www.cpdtip.com.