The Chicago Police Department on Thursday questioned two men of Nigerian descent over the assault of Empire actor, Jussie Smollett, according to reports in the US media.
CBS, reporter Charlie De Mar, tweeted on Thursday that the men have appeared as extras on the FOX drama for which Smollett is popular.
“Police raided the home of two persons of interest in Jussie Smollett case last night. Both men are of Nigerian descent and have appeared as extras on the show. Police took bleach,
Earlier Thursday, Chicago police Anthony Guglielmi revealed detectives were questioning the two individuals, but said neither of them are “considered suspects at this time.”
“The people of interest are alleged to be in the area where a crime was reported. They are not considered suspects at this time as they are currently being questioned by detectives,” Guglielmi wrote on Twitter. “We remain in communication with the alleged victim.”
The pair were seen on surveillance cameras in the neighbourhood where the alleged attack took place, said Guglielmi.
They were picked up at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Wednesday night after returning from Nigeria where they were visiting family, their lawyer told Chicago television station CBS2.
“They do know Jussie, they have worked with him on Empire,” attorney Gloria Schmidt said in an interview with CBS2. “They are baffled why they are persons of interest.”
Openly gay Smollett was attacked on January 29 as he walked back to his apartment from a Subway sandwich shop.
The actor said two masked individuals spewed racist and homophobic slurs, doused him with an unknown chemical substance.
Further, the 36-year-old told police the alleged assailants looped a thin rope around his neck and shouted “This is MAGA country” before running away.
