Chicago PD say 2 persons of interest in the alleged attack on actor Jussie Smollett were only seen on the opposite side of the street in surveillance footage from the Streeterville neighborhood where the alleged attack occurred early Tuesday.
According to ABC affiliate ABC7, Smollett was seen on the opposite side of the street from the persons of interest about an hour after they were seen in the vicinity.
Smollett, 36, told police he was attacked by 2 masked men who beat him up and hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him as he walked from a nearby Subway restaurant to his manager’s apartment around 2 a.m. Tuesday.
His music manager, Brandon Z. Moore, told police and Variety.com he heard the attack as he talked with Smollett by phone. Moore said he “clearly” heard the attackers shouting, “This is MAGA country.”
“I heard that clearly I heard the scuffle and I heard the racial slur,” Moore told Variety.
Police say they are unable to confirm Smollett and Moore’s stories because they refused to turn over their phone records to detectives. Investigators also dismissed initial reports that Smollett suffered a fractured rib.
Police still view Smollett as a victim of a hate crime.
According to ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash, Spt. Eddie Johnson told @ABC7Chicago the lack of video of the “cowardly” & “horrendous” attack of @JussieSmollett is not “highly unusual.” He added: Jussie Smollett is a victim. “We have no reason at this point to think he’s not being genuine with us.”
After poring over hundreds of hours of video footage in 3 days, police released 2 images from a surveillance camera that shows 2 shadowy figures walking down New Street near Illinois between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m.
The 2 persons of interest never crossed the street to the opposite side and they were not seen in the vicinity at the same time as the actor.
Police say Smollett walks out of a frame for about 60 seconds and reappears on another camera “wearing a rope like a neck tie” around his neck.
He calmly entered the condo high-rise where Moore lives, walked past the security desk and entered the elevator to Moore’s apartment. Moore called 911 about 40 minutes later.
When cops arrived at 2:42 a.m., Smollett was still wearing the thin rope looped around his neck. He asked cops to turn off their body cameras before giving his statement.
Authorities took a statement from Moore’s neighbor who claims she saw a suspicious “redneck” man with a rope loitering outside the high-rise on the night of the alleged attack.
But police say her description of the man differs significantly from Smollett’s description of the alleged attackers. There are also no signs of the man she described on any video footage in the area.
Social media users expressed doubts about Smollett’s story. An unofficial poll conducted by Sandrarose.com revealed 58% of Twitter users believe Smollett is being untruthful.
Smollett confirmed in an interview with CNN anchorman Don Lemon that the attack did happen.
The “Empire” star said he fought back, and is “shaken and angry” that something like this could happen.
Smollett’s family released a statement on Thursday condemning the alleged attack. They called Smollett “a warrior whose light can’t be dimmed” and they referred to the attackers as “domestic terrorists.”
On Wednesday, Smollett deleted several tweets in which he is highly critical of President Donald Trump.
In one deleted tweet, Smollett wrote:
Chicago cops need to just gon and say they don’t believe him and get it over w/
Man does this dude love subway that much that he’d leave his hotel in the wee hours of the night to satisfy his ‘craving’?
Wouldn’t the subway sandwich have frozen as soon as he got out and walked back to his hotel ? No matter how close the subway was to his hotel ?
Was it a random attack ? How did the attackers know for sure it was him ? If yes , who told them he would’ve been on his way to subway at that particular time ?
Why is he refusing to turn over his phone to allow officers to have corrobating eveidence ? So many questions .
LMAO!! Sandra, can we just stop this right now!! PLEASE!! It’s too early for me to be kekekeke at my desk!! LMAO!! Liar liar, pants on fire!!!
This will go unsolved and only the internets will care after a while. Its enough grey area where he won’t have too much push back.
I do that all the time. I walk to Thai restaurants or whatever is open after midnight. It’s not unusual to me. ?????
I’m over this fraudulent stripy, but he hasn’t had this much press in his entire career, I’m sure the breadcrumbs will keep coming thru the weekend…
this is too high profile now. they will get the phone records and confirm the managers claim.
He should just do a lie detector test. I need to know if he lying.
Well, it’s not looking good for Jussie. No reward? The neighbor’s statement, who is she, and why would she lie?
Trump not disputing claims (fake news, a hoax?) does the police know more, but covering up, typical in Chicago!
Is this a code of Blue silence, and there is actually more information than being released?
If, he is lying, it is self-sabotage, and people will never view him the same! This would make him quite self-absorbed, narcissistic, and criminal, not to mention the cost to taxpayers! HOLLYWOOD.
I wouldn’t be surprised, if they apprehend the suspects, or this fades away like Kim Kardashian’s Paris Robbery, OK!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c1900abfecc878a3432f2114e4ae340142590cf24f91064b959f252e23a4f766.gif
No matter what the outcome is, he will forever be a liar and fraud to many people. This shows that the agenda is very powerful, however, some people actually think for themselves and know this story is a hoax.
Hey jen
This is like a child saying “Billy hit me on the playground”, but there is no evidence on the school cam to back it up.
Ed Buck is free to rape and molest all the black men he can with actual evidence that they were found in is home. Where is the LGBTQRXZ community?
Why would he forever be a liar and fraud if it’s found out to be true tho?
there should be some type of punishment when celebrities make false claims like this. this was serious, and with all the hate going on in the world today and he making up lies……
Morning https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bfd66976dbe20deff1029c3bb9c42cd9a31a73683dad448358adc211db029e23.gif
Celebrities are paid actors and love to stir the pot. This is why I side eye them.
If I’m up and hungry and nothing in the house interest me I will make a wawa run at 2 am.
Im sorry. I feel some kind of way about folks keep bringing up Ed Buck. Those folks went there WILLINGLY and were pretty much male prostitutes. NOBODY has the right to kill. But some of them STILL went AFTER first dude popped up dead. Play stupid games, win stupid ass prizes is my take.
I feel like when ANYONE makes a false claim. They been charging folks legit lately and I feel they should. Like that Runaway Bride lady that time. I think she got a hefty bill from her local police for using their resources looking for her ass.
And quietly, that person on the left in the “grainy” screenshot, looks like a woman or manly woman type with a coat draped over it’s shoulders. Regardless, it doesn’t look like they are walking in FRIGID temps. I’m hollin’ different footage from a different day.
This!!!
I am in total love with wawa I wish they were here.
a statement from Moore’s neighbor who claims she saw a suspicious “redneck” man with a rope loitering outside the high-rise
_____________________
The next highest bidder gone get to her and watch her story change. LOL If the “redneck” was so suspicious, why didn’t she take a page from her cohorts book and call the police?
nothing else going on today huh?
What is he trying to hide? The only thing I can think of is he was trying to get some underage boy pushie. We already know he’s gay. So, trying to hook up with a man and getting jacked wouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of.
Those men didn’t seem like they were carrying bleach with them, so I never really believed they would be the perpetrators anyway.
You better tell the truth. The have no intention of charging him with anything, possession, controlled substance all they found in his home. The LGBT does not care about black people period. Ed Buck should be on death row. He will kill again.
Ed Buck is a murderer. Period. He should be in jail.
WOW…What a way to start my Friday work day…..Another Jussie story…Lawd I am going to have fun before my weekend start.
NOW…INTERPRETATION…Police still view Smollett as a victim of a hate crime.
————————————————————————————————
We know he is lying but because this is consider a high profile case…we are just going to let it play out…also we will not be putting any more resources into this investigation.
I am so over this story. I don’t give a damn who did it now. Is there nothing else going on in celeb news besides this light “beating”?
Chile…Lee probably called her up or a FOX executive to pay her for her silence…
And the person’s of interest don’t look hurried or as if they just committed a crime… They look as if they are just strolling! How much you wanna bet ole Lee gone find some homeless derelects and pay them to take the fall!!!
So these 2 just roped the jussie, poured bleach on him and brutally beat him up; and they are walking away?
Why are they not running? The guy is a liar.
The FAKE stalking letters didn’t give him attention, so he concocted this fake story!
You’d make make a wawa run and eat the sandwich at wawa? Or attempt to go back to your house and deal with a frozen sandwich ? Do you now see how incoherent this is ?
Except in this case we’re talking temps that were below 30. But sure!
But they don’t want the truth?
I wonder who will top that pay?
If nobody ever gets arrested, I agree he will always be seen as a fraud and a fake my many (or most) people. This will probably affect his TV/movie career moving forward too. A lot of producers and casting directors might not want to hire him any more after this.
It has truly gotten on my nerves, this is getting too much media, just let us know in the end if there was any truth to this or all a lie.
Me being a foodie, what happened to the Subway sandwich? Now that’s the real mystery.
Sorry I dont believe you.
Exactly
Franchise owners said a few years ago that corporate started pushing them to sell the $5 footlongs again even though food costs were a lot higher than the last time they did the promo. So to try to save money they kept product longer. That’s why sometimes you see brown, wilted lettuce and overripe tomatoes. Personally I like Firehouse.
Ion see a plastic grocery bag nor a bleach bottle and they are not running. Seems like they are walking fast because it’s cold.
What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
In public opinion he is liar and fraud because of the inconsistencies even if someone is charged.
Was saying that’s why their sandwiches are terrible now. Really not that complicated…
I said he needs to be charged. First one was lured. Second one was a volunteer. Im sorry that happened to either victim. But folks need to be accountable for THEIR ACTIONS. ALL the folks. Why are you AT the home of a KNOWN killer? Make it make sense. You kill someone and invite me over and I still go is kinda moronic. Is it not to you?
BREAKINGBeing reported RIGHT NOW:The Chicago PD is going to subpoena the records of both Smollett and his manager.They’re ALSO going to get a warrant for the apt.Time is running out for Smollett and his manager to get out in front of this fake story.I guess when you have the race baiters screaming at top volume implying the Police aren’t doing their job – you probably make them more than a little angry.Chicago assigned 20 DETECTIVES to this case when they usually only put 2 detectives on a HOMICIDE.And you KNOW that if this guy is lying, the Chicago PD is going to go after Smollett for lying to police and filing a false police report – his manager too.Oh, and this “B” rated actor can probably kiss his role on Empire goodbye.
I think he safe on Empire. Lee tends to support bullshit.
No dear. He lured both victims to his home. By invitation of Ed Buck. He is a killer. He has no right to kill any human.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5388f2e515591c4651da43d82ec6681e1618f281c450dc9fa2f6f8cb04a98f56.gif
Afterwards, he will probably be able in low budget black films or straight to dvd.
If he lying, he’s ruined it for the majors. I dont watched empire, but he was good in Underground.
So, when Chicago’s “racist/homophobic criminals” assault you, they allow you to keep talking to your manager, an aural WITNESS to the crime? They don’t knock the phone out of your hand or smash it? They just keep right on talking so the witness can HEAR THEM and even potentially TAPE their voices to assist in identification?!?!
THEN, after they “brutally” beat you by giving you an itty, bitty scratch (I see the previous report of a cracked rib has now been shown to be false), they leave. WITHOUT EVEN STEALING YOUR EXPENSIVE IPHONE WITH CELEB NUMBERS AND YOUR PERSONAL INFO?!?
I must say, these Chicago “racist/homphobic criminals” seem to have exceptionally good manners.
I see somebody in a mood, LOL!! You try to have a good one sweetie. It’ll be aight.
Right, he’s already gay. Or maybe it was some bdsm stuff going on. I wonder what his behavior was like in subway, maybe he was on the molly.
Lmao, havent seen that one in a while.
He’s lying.
Great meme!
RIP Prince??
TWENTY detectives!!! If I were a Chicago taxpayer I would be LIVID. And ALL black residents should be spitting fire over the fact that people who actually NEED police protection aren’t getting it because of time and money being wasted on this charade.
They didnt want to bust their a$$es on the ice? ?????
Im hungry! Please watch?
https://youtu.be/D_e3E7QHRO4
Criminals are dumb. Especially the ones walking around at 2 AM in sub-zero weather, carrying bleach and rope.
He’s cussing at the President like that? I’d be too scared that the men in Black would show up at my door telling me to ” come with us” for doing all of that.????????????
Happy “Polar Vortex” Friday! Went outside this mornin’ and it’s true. The cold can hurt your eyes. Felt like knives were cutting through my eyes. Put my head down and wrapped my scarf around my whole face and it got better.
Anyway, Jussie Smollet is lying. It appears he was attacked but why he was out at 2 in da mornin was not for the overnight scenario scenario. It was more likely for “meet you on tinder lane” at 2am and let’s get it on. He needs to fess up so that we can move on from this post. Otherwise, Auntie, gonna have us stuck in the Why Jussie Why vortex.
Wow love this man! !
I might be part of the unpopular opinion here but I dont care about this story anymore.
“Police say Smollett walks out of a frame for about 60 seconds and reappears on another camera “wearing a rope like a neck tie” around his neck.”
_____________________________
they make it sound like he exited stage left for a costume change, and reappeared wearing a bolo tie…. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5a16feb7886870b58e876a7ffc6b264e7419e743bb55ec579123b82d4a427799.gif
i’m sorry for whatever happened to Jussie (physically or mentally), but all this talk about walking to Subway is really making we want a sandwich… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5406a067d89d1924f4f9967857b7ca15a701e44524df7514659efb170810c224.gif
That’s exactly what it sounds like. This story is looking worse and worse for him with every passing the day.
Meanwhile:
““Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has refused to turn over his cellphone to detectives, who are investigating the alleged attack that sent him to the hospital earlier this week, Chicago police said Thursday.
The actor declined to share telephone records that could show he was speaking with his manager just as the alleged assault happened early Tuesday morning in Chicago, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told NBC News.”
https://mfamediagroup.com/chicago-police-say-actor-jussie-smollett-refuses-to-hand-over-cellphone-to-them/
LOL.
Subway nasty yuck
I think most folks don’t care about it anymore, or never cared in the first place!
Umm if the store is within walking distance and I got there just fine in the same weather why would I not go back home to eat my sandwich and watch nick at night?
I had one for lunch yesterday. LMAOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or as my pastor would say–sammich!!!
Ha,ha,ha!!
I read that before they got their ingredients locally and now they have to get them from corporate warehouses.
Why would they need to subpoena something he gave them permission to obtain, he just didn’t want to give them his phone. He has no legal obligation to give them his phone.
lol…Happy Friday!
Hopefully he wouldn’t make up something so horrific. Empire must be about to start again…giggles
Now you know that whenever Auntie gets on a subject she’s like a dog with a bone especially if it involves the gheys.
Yes, that’s was a VERY quick beat down and yet no one was every in the frame with him or anywhere near him. That sounds like some whoodini type shit.
Dear Jesse please get urself some side tail to travel with you when you shooting empire. As you can see its too dangerous to be out here getting random tail at 2 in the morning.
Sincerely,
A concern Citizen….
Wow you should be a lawyer or PR person.
Spin, spin, spin!!!!
Maybe you can help Kamala or Auntie Maxine get the egg off their faces.
ctfu
OMG this mad me laugh and I really feel bad. I am done with you!!! lmao!
Hollywood are paid promoters. Subway is getting a lot of free promo, o is this just the plan?
I wonder if subway is one of empire sponsors? And is the Promo free?
“Regardless, it doesn’t look like they are walking in FRIGID temps. I’m hollin’ different footage from a different day.”
—————
First, the cops said they can’t determine either race or gender re: the two people. And second, interesting theory re: the footage. You’re right. If I’m out in -20° weather I’m walking as fast as humanly possible, and they appear to be just strolling.
16 people have died over the past few days in the midwest because of weather — quite a few have frozen to death. And a LOT of frostbite cases at hospitals. The night of Jussie’s Fantasy Assault, they said it was -20° , but the wind chill was -30 to -50°!!!. Ain’t nobody strolling in THOSE temps. So good catch re: that footage!!
lololol
Over the past six years or so, Subway has chomped its way into dialogue, plotlines and sets on everything from NBC’s now-defunct “Chuck” and CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” to ABC’s “Suburgatory.” Its logos, cups and sandwiches have also made their way to ABC’s “The Middle” and NBC’s “Community,” among other boob-tube favorites. And the appearances are anything but demure.- Variety
????
I mean, like, forreal.
I’m a Jimmy Johns lover but I do eat subway when there isn’t a Jimmy Johns around. But I see if I keep reading comments about how long they keep there meat and lettuce I see me stopping real soon! firehouse subs are good tho as well.
Lets not forget they poured bleach in his face. That had to be extremely painful if it got into his eyes and that cut on his face but yet he was able to see and calmly walked into his apt he was staying at. AND called the cops a whole 40 mins later! AND the manager was on the phone the entire time but didn’t bother to call the cops until he got back 40 mins later!!!!!!!!! This story sounds fishier then a hookers pussy!
??? Exit the stage for a costume change! Hilarious!!!
Maybe he’s triying to hide text messages showing that he and his manager planned this entire hoax. It is a crime to file a false police report.
That sounds about right!
You got that right!
I’m sorry, but I believe this was a Grindr meet up gone wrong! Not saying he didn’t get beat up, but I don’t think the whole this whole MAGA country thing happened. And no, I am a Democrat and do not like Trump, but none of this ad’s up correctly!
Now he’s saying he doesn’t mind giving up his phone records …he is gathering them right now! The CPD just need the phone records for one day and you don’t have to gather phone records! I can download my phone records from my provider instantly. I can show you who called me in the last hour! So more BS! He is too old for this mess!
this makes me curious about his possible involvement in other deaths that may not have occurred in his home. is it his routine to solicit prostitutes? are there unsolved prostitute deaths that could be tied to him if police were aware that he may be involved? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9eb2b76e506e38d5072dd1cf3ad262774eb5ffcb7856de93eefa3205f33fbcb1.gif
“concerned citizen” LMAO!!!!!!!!!
If you mean Kamala having the affair with the mayor, I mean its been public knowledge for a long time and you think dems didn’t ok the piece the mayor did to get the story out of the way, they seem to be doing just fine with that. What did Auntie Maxine do now?
Happy Friday, Shug!!!!
yes! sammiches are extra tasty! *smacks lips*
i’m ’bout to reach out to the Italian deli on door dash, smh
No, but I’m sure R Kelly is glad for the distraction ?
No Kamala called the alleged attack on Smollett a ‘lynching’ and Auntie Maxine blaming the attack on Smollett on Trump.
exactly, remember Tawana Brawly?
If we are being truly honest, this young man has carried himself in a decent manner not sure why he is not given the benefit of the doubt. I mean I’ve seen more benefit given to kellz on these boards then this guy. I’m not sure either of them need a PR person for giving someone the benefit of the doubt. And if they did scream out this is maga country who coined that phrase?
Sandra, Thank you for following the story and his lies! He needs to also realize that this will make it bad for folks who are REALLY assaulted! If you’re going to put yourself out there be ready to go all the way. You can’t scream I’ve been assaulted because I’m black and gay but decline a through investigation. There are BLACKS and GAYS that have really gotten assaulted and even killed and didn’t get 20 detectives on the case. He and whoever didn’t think about the ramifications. It’s horrible to have the whole country in an uproar because he made a bad choice one night!
He LIED, HE GOT CAUGHT, THE END….smdh
Double yuck!
Who’s giving R Kelly the benefit of the doubt?
You’re conflating two unrelated things like a conservative who is trying to distract from the facts of the situation.
You’re better than that.
Nothing makes sense about Smollett’s actions that night or the alleged actions of his alleged attackers.
I’m not conflating I’m just pointing out the difference in the benefit of doubt between the two. I didn’t say any of it made sense, but he said this happened to him, who am I too say it didn’t. Although I do have my own theory but he says what happened, happened.
LOL!!!!!!
Nobody caught a lawsuit yet?
One bite and he spit it out. As soon as he got out the hospital, he DROVE to a PUBLIX.
Firehouse is good, but my fav is Publix.
Wow smh
Ah gin da?
Isn’t that a Grocery store? Do they have a huge hot bar like Whole foods?
What’s funny is…he doesn’t seem like the type to speak in that manner and tone. Why is he so ?? He gangsta with 45? Why?
Not funny but when a reporter brought up the incident with Jussie to 45 he said, “I saw what happened. But, that’s why we need to build this wall” or sum like that. Mr. T ain’t thanking bout him. I dunno WHAT TO think…smh.
There is always a line for their subs. I think you get more meat for the money. No food bar, just subs & hot chicken.
They won!
Girlll!!!
I ?? when they were throwing the fries in the air??
I think the SAMMICH is the one the police shoul be concerned about! Where is the SAMMICH???
No one cares abouth the SAMMICH ?
That’s because he wasn’t attacked by homophobic racists…who inexplicably knew AT 2AM that this dude was an actor on Empire.
Nah…Jussie’s bussy was no longer of any interest to drug dealers bartering for some sort of payment for drugs he was cruising for on that FREEZING early morning. He probably stuck his booty open, pried his cheeks apart and told them to have at it, they refused, he got desperate and they clocked him and sent him on his way. He didn’t have no cash, maybe an over maxed Mastercard and dopemen don’t take credit cards.
Drug deal gone bad, that’s all.
I am stating my opinion which won’t change whether it happened or not.
We will have to agree to disagree.
Probably
did they take the sammich?????
45 was surprisingly diplomatic in that moment when asked about Jussie. And I don’t blame him for being standoffish to a fault, you send me tweets cussing me out like that, borderline threatening tweets at that, and it’s an automatic FU. I hope this story gets buried but something tells me people will still be talking about it next week.
45 had that same FU look on his face with Juss Smo as he did when 44 had to pass the torch on to him. Remember that dinner where Prez O was clowning him about being President? Chiiild I saw that NA NA NI NA NAAAA look he had…I see you 45 ?.
And in some way I don’t blame him for moving on.
????? This is smelling more like a Tawana Brawley case ?
Not sure… Its missing ?
Okay so your reasoning is because racist s*** has happened before in this area this one has got to be true? That’s not a very sound argument. And it also doesn’t take into account the fishy circumstances and lack of video evidence implicating any human being. It’s 2 in the morning and his so-called attackers knew the guy from Empire would be out getting a sub in Sub-Zero temperatures. You are a fool if you believe his story.
“Police say Smollett walks out of a frame for about 60 seconds and reappears on another camera “wearing a rope like a neck tie” around his neck.”
A 60 second @$$ whooping?!
I live in Streeterville. I have lived there for decades. It’s an affluent area, but most of the residents are extremely liberal. If there are racists trolling the area, I doubt that they actually live in the neighborhood. I am sorry to hear about your bad experiences in my community.
It was so funnee when Wendy was mad!
Oh ok…..gives him time to have the records photoshopped….lol
He sure is lol!
Yes girl I remember that….lol
Yup, PD should get the phone record straight from the carrier.
Girl! The sammich is accounted for (He still has it after he escaped and made it to his friend’s place)
Camera captures of eveything that night BUT him getting attacked..