“Empire” TV star claims racist, anti-gay attack in Streeterville

TV star Jussie Smollett (inset) told police he was the victim of an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime near this intersection.

FULL UPDATE POSTED HERE:  Police confirm Smollett told them to turn off their body cameras before taking his report. Still no video of attackers, police say. Investigation continues. MORE.
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We’ve had quite a few inquiries regarding a claim by “Empire” TV series star Jussie Smollett that he was attacked early Tuesday in Streeterville by masked men who made anti-gay and anti-black comments, put a noose around his neck and threw bleach on him.

Chicago police were out in force rounding up video and other potential evidence today. As of 2:45 p.m., investigators had not found any footage of the alleged offenders.

Here are a few things that we can share:

• A man who identified himself as “Frank” called 911 around 2:32 a.m. Tuesday from a luxury apartment at 340 East North Water Street.  Police arrived about 10 minutes later.

• The man stated that his friend had been assaulted and battered when he walked outside of his apartment, according to dispatch records. Frank stated that his friend is “well-known” and they want a report. Frank stated that a noose was placed over his friend’s neck. There is no mention of bleach in the dispatch record. 

• Frank refused EMS services for Smollett, according to dispatch records. 

• Officers were on-scene at the apartment for slightly more than an hour. 

From experienced observers, the most interesting part of the dispatch records is this: Responding officers never issued a “flash message” to give descriptions of the offenders to units in the field.

Police have made “good progress” in their investigation, according to a CPD source…
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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com