Jussie Smolletthas reportedly arrived in Los Angeles just days after he was the victim of anapparent hate crimein Chicago.
TheEmpirestar, 36, landed in L.A. on Thursday ahead of his scheduled performance on Saturday at concert venue the Troubadour, according toTMZ.
The outlet also reports that Smollett will likely address Tuesday’s attack during the performance, which is currentlysold out.
“I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level,” he continued. :Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served.As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident. We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process. Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me. With love, respect & honor…Jussie.”
At around 2 a.m. in Chicago on Tuesday, Smollett transported himself to the hospital after he was the victim of an apparent hate crime.
The Chicago Police Department previously confirmed in a statement that a member of the hit Fox show was involved in a “racially-charged assault and battery.”
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Trump, 72, hasdenounced the assault.
“That, I can tell you, is horrible. I’ve seen it, last night,” he said while speaking with reporters Thursday at an Oval Office meeting. “I think that’s horrible.”
“It doesn’t get worse, as far as I’m concerned,” he said before returning to his argument forbuilding a wallalong the U.S.-Mexico border.
On Thursday, Smollett’s family released astatement about the attack.
“We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice,” they said. “Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received. We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed.”
On Wednesday, Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released an update on the case, revealing that investigators have acquired footage that could lead to the arrests of theEmpireactor’s assailants. The police also releasedtwo photos of the persons of interest, however, the images did not show the individuals’ faces.
The latest in the investigation comes after Guglielmi told PEOPLE he was optimistic thatvideo evidence will surfacethat will help them solve the apparent 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 where Smollett said he was attacked.
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.”
Even before the incident,additional security had been hiredfor theEmpireset after Fox Studios’ Chicago offices allegedly received a threatening homophobic letter addressed to Smollett, who is gay, last week.
The FBI, who has not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment, is investigating that alleged letter, Guglielmi previously told PEOPLE.
source: people.com
