Jussie Smollett Hate Crime Investigation: Chicago Police Are Expanding Their Search

The Chicago Police Department has issued a statement with an update on their investigation into Jussie Smollett’s racist and homophobic attack. 

The FBI has taken over the investigation related to the threatening letter Jussie received last week, but as far as the actual attack itself police have been canvassing the area looking for surveillance footage.

TMZ reports that police visited a Target store near where the incident happened and they were able to retrieve some footage.

A source says the footage shows just one person presumably Jussie walking down the street.

Anthony Guglielmi, Chief Communications Officer, tweeted that the department is expanding its search radius after being unable to find video or photos of the alleged attackers or any vehicles.

Chicago PD confirms to TMZ Jussie told them, in a follow-up interview, about the attackers yelling, “MAGA country.” 

They add Jussie still had the rope around his neck when he made contact with cops at 2:42 AM.  Remember, the attack happened around 2 AM.

Sources connected to production tell us Jussie and the rest of the main “Empire” cast members will have armed security going forward while they continue shooting in Chicago.

Lee Daniels briefly posted, but then deleted, a screen grab from a FaceTime he had with Jussie while he was in the hospital.

“Empire” creator Lee Daniels just expressed his outrage and horror over the attack.