Police have released photographs of two people they wish to question in relation to the alleged assault onJussie Smollett.
Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released an update on the case, revealing how investigators have acquired footage that could lead to the arrests of theEmpireactor’s assailants.
The police released two photos of the persons of interest, however, the images did not show the individuals’ faces.
Chicago Police
The latest in the investigation comes after Guglielmi told PEOPLE he was optimistic video evidence will surface that will help them solve theapparent hate crime attack.
Describing the details of the allegations as “heinous,” Guglielmi said police had widened their search of surveillance cameras — both public and private — in the area surrounding the site of the alleged attack.
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Guglielmi said the actor returned to his apartment afterward, and called his manager, who quickly made his way to Smollett’s home. “The manager goes to the apartment, and they agree to call police. The manager called us at 2:40 a.m.,” Guglielmi added.
Police patrols “responded to the residence to take a report and the victim was still wearing the rope around his neck when they arrived,” he said. “He explained to them why he had the rope around his neck, and the officers closed their body cams at his request, because they were in his private residence.”
A rep for Smollett has not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Before Smollett’s incident,additional security was hiredfor theEmpireset after Fox Studios’ Chicago offices allegedly received a threatening homophobic letter addressed to the actor, who is gay, last week.TMZ first reported the news.
The FBI is investigating that alleged letter, Guglielmi told PEOPLE.
PEOPLE has reached out to the FBI for comment.
“These young men had to drive in from somewhere…they had to walk in from somewhere,” Guglielmi told PEOPLE on Wednesday. “If and when this occurred, we will find some kind of digital evidence of it. We have the largest private surveillance network in the country with 3,500 cameras citywide. That particular area’s saturated with our cameras as well as private cameras and red light cameras. If someone drove into this area, we will find them.”
20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment released a statement Tuesday: “We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our EMPIRE family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. 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 stands united in the face or any despicable act of violence and hatred — and especially against one of our own.”
source: people.com
