As Jussie Smollett recovers in the hospital, his family has released an official statement addressing his attack.
Describing him as a “warrior whose light cannot be dimmed,” the “Empire” star’s family hoped that the culprits will be brought to justice.
The family statement read, “In the early hours of Tuesday morning, our beloved son and brother, Jussie, was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice.”
They also went on to appreciate those who have spoken up about the issue while showing support for the Hollywood star.
“We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. We want people to understand these targeted hate crimes are happening to our sisters, brothers and our gender non-conforming siblings, many who reside within the intersection of multiple identities, on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis all across our country. Oftentimes ending fatally, these are inhumane acts of domestic terrorism and they should be treated as such.”
The family added that “radical love is the only solution” to dealing the racism and homophobia they say led to the attack, but warned that “passivity will be our downfall. We, as a family, will continue to work for love, equity and justice until it reigns supreme in our nation and all over the world”.
As earlier reported, the police have been working to recreate all that happened on the night of the attack with the use of surveillance cameras.
The police have revealed that video footages have shown Smollett walking across the street with two people who have been brought in as possible suspects in the attack.
According to the police, Smollett shows in the video footage “wearing a rope like a necktie.”
The reports also revealed that prior to the attack, Smollett had turned down the security detail sent to him by Fox following the threatening, homophobic letters sent to the Chicago office and addressed to the actor.
Smollett was attacked by two white men wearing ski masks on Tuesday, January 28, 2019, during a food run at about 2 am morning.
