Jussie Smollett was allegedly seen with Abel and Ola Osundairo on the night of his Chicago attack, according to a tip received by the Chicago Police Department.
On Tuesday, spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the Associated Press that authorities are investigating information given to them by a person who either lives in the Empire star’s apartment building, or was visiting someone there.
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Allegedly, the individual saw the actor and the Nigerian brothers in an elevator on the night in question.
Per CBS 2 on Monday, a source told investigator Brad Edwards that the thespian “concocted the staged attack” after a racist and homophobic letter addressed to him “didn’t get enough attention.” According to insiders via CNN, the Osundairos were allegedly paid by the star to orchestrate the attack, which TMZ said was allegedly rehearsed days prior.
Despite the controversy, two of Smollett’s siblings — Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Jocqui Smollett — are standing by their brother.
On Monday, Jurnee reposted Jocqui’s Instagram image of a quote attributed to Malcolm X that seemingly blames the media for incorrectly spinning Jussie’s story.
Jocqui also reposted a screenshot of a tweet that says even if there was concrete evidence in support of Jussie, detractors would still discredit the 36-year-old because of their “contempt for survivors of hate crimes.”
Though their investigation has “shifted,” the Chicago PD have not officially declared Smollett a suspect. They also have not identified him as a victim or person of interest.
[Image via WENN.]