Chicago Police officers arrested two brothers in conjunction with the alleged assault on Empire star, Jussie Smollett.
According to reports, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo were picked up by Chicago Polic Department officers, who had “probable cause that they may have been involved in an alleged crime.” Though initial reports identified Smollett’s attackers as two white men, the Abimbola brothers are Nigerian.
The men were arrested by local police at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and are being held for questioning. They have yet to be charged.
On Jan. 29, Chicago Police released a statement saying Smollett had been assaulted by two men, who put a rope around his neck, and threw a chemical substance in his face. Afterwards, reports claimed the men hurled racist and homophobic slurs at Smollett.
Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who once appeared on Empire as extras, have denied the allegations, but police are continuing to investigate.
Since Smollett’s alleged attack hit the news, some have attempted to discount his story. In a recent interview with Good Morning America, the actor called the insinuation that he made up the incident “heartbreaking.”
A Chicago Police Department spokesman also said there was no evidence the incident was a hoax.
“While we haven’t found any video documenting the alleged attack, there is also no evidence to say that this is a hoax,” Anthony Guglielmi said. “The alleged victim is being cooperative at this time and continues to be treated as a victim, not a suspect.”
