Stars React After 'Empire' Actor Attacked In Possible Hate Crime

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Police Department is investigating after receiving a report of what they said was a possible racially-charged assault and battery in the 300 block of E. North Water Street early Tuesday, involving a cast member of hit FOX drama "Empire."

According to police, a 36-year-old man, reported by several media outlets and TMZ to be Jussie Smollett, was walking at the above address at 2 a.m. when two unknown offenders approached him and yelled out racial and homophobic slurs towards him.

According to Chicago police, the offenders began beating the actor's face with their hands, poured an unknown chemical substance on him, and at some point one of the offenders wrapped a rope around his neck before leaving the scene.

The victim took himself to Northwestern Hospital and is good condition, police said, adding that Area Central Detectives are investigating.

"Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," Chicago police said in a statement. "Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline."

Chicago police ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report it anonymously to www.cpdtip.com.

UPDATE: We continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in this case. Anyone who may hv been in area of 300 E North Water St btwn 1-3a should send info to https://t.co/g9Q1Srtgmc. Thus far we have not found anything to be able put out a description pic.twitter.com/wxdA0OOjZz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019

20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

Statement from 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment: pic.twitter.com/tlpw7saMul
— Brendon Geoffrion (@tv_brendon) January 29, 2019

Several stars are also reacting to news of the "Empire" actor's attack on Twitter:

Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack. We support you and pray that you find peace and justice.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 29, 2019

Lee Daniels shares a powerful message for Jussie Smollett following a racist and homophobic attack. (Emoji) pic.twitter.com/iLsEyjVEUa
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 29, 2019

I'm just now hearing the news about the senseless hate attack on my #EMPiRE Nephew @JussieSmollett IM SO ANGRY AND HURT ABOUT THIS! THIS MUST STOP!! SPREAD LOVE NOT HATE! PRAYERS UP TO U NEPHEW! (Emojis) pic.twitter.com/p4GqfNW3An
— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) January 29, 2019

Sending my love and prayers to you @JussieSmollett . This is unacceptable and they will be brought to justice.
— Matt Bomer (@MattBomer) January 29, 2019

My heart goes out to @JussieSmollett and his family @jurneesmollett Love WILL prevail. You are a beacon of light in the darkness x Thandie https://t.co/ABneaZovQO
— Thandie Newton OBE (@thandienewton) January 29, 2019

No words. Love to you @JussieSmollett (Emojis) https://t.co/bdVahUfi04
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) January 29, 2019

Patch will update this story as information becomes available.

Actor Jussie Smollett attends the FOX Network 2014 Upfront event on Monday, May 12, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)