Two Nigerian brothers considered persons of interest in the homophobic attack on Jussie Smollet

Two Nigerian brothers whose identities were not released have been considered persons of interest in the homophobic attack on Empire actor, Jussie Smollet.

Smollett, one of the stars of Empire was attacked by two men early January 29 2019, an attack that has been termed homophobic as his attackers yelled homophobic words at him.

Smollett said one of his attackers also tied a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him.

In a tweet on Thursday (February 14 2019), the Chicago Police Spokesman, Anthony Guglielmi said two brothers are currently being considered as persons of interest in the attack on Jussie Smollet.

However, he further revealed that they were not considered as suspects yet but only as persons of interests because they were alleged to be in the area where the attack happened.

Reports emerged Thursday that police had raided the home of two persons of interest in the Smollett case who may have been the same men seen in surveillance footage around the time of the attack on January 29 (above)
Footage showing two dark figures where the attack occured

Also, the Spokesman also said one of the two brothers has appeared on Empire and that two of the brothers were friends of Jussie and they gym together.

However, Gloria Schmidt, lawyer for the two Nigerian brothers said on Thursday that the brothers were ‘baffled’ when they were arrested by the police.

She also confirmed that the brothers were friends of Jussie.

She said:

They are friends with Smollett who were horrified when he was attacked and would never hurt him.

Gloria Schmidt, the lawyer for the two black Nigerian supporters said on Thursday they were 'baffled' when they were picked up by police and are innocent. She said they are friends with Smollett who were 'horrified' when he was attacked and would never hurt him 

Reports say the two Nigerian brothers were questioned and their apartments searched because they had flown into O’Hare Airport on Wednesday evening.

Chicago Police raided the home of the two brothers on Thursday (February 14 2019).

Chicago PD broke the door to the brothers' family home when they raided it on Thursday and terrified their relatives inside
Chicago PD broke the door to the two brothers’ family home

 

This was the scene after the  police had 'searched' the family's home. Their relatives say they were asked about how the men knew Smollett 
The Family home of the brothers after it was ransacked by the police

 

Police seized a number of items from the house including several bottles of bleach, an Empire script and a black ski mask 
List of items seized from their home: bleach, an Empire script and a black ski mask

Smollett wept in his first interview about the attack that was aired on Good Morning America on Thursday and said he was heartbroken that his story had been questioned

Smollett claims his attackers poured bleach on him and one of his attackers was wearing a mask.

The items seized from the two brothers homes include bleach, a ski mask and an Empire script.

However, some people believe that Smollet made up the story of his attack, an allegation he has vehemently denied.

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