Jussie Smollett Hospitalized After Homophobic Attack! [UPDATED]

"Empire" star Jussie Smollett was attacked earlier this morning in the city of Chicago. Although the story is still developing, That Grape Juice was able to get a few of the early details.

"Sources add that the 35-year-old, who resides in Chicago while filming the hit FOX series, was later attacked around 2am this morning by two men in ski-masks. Both of whom placed a noose around his neck.He has since been taken to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment."

The threats first came through a poorly put together letter in the mail that used magazine letters to spell out the assailants hate for the star.

Of course everyone close to Smollett believes that this was a well planned attack on the star. Smollett, who is biracial, plays the part of Jamal, who is homosexual, on the long running, critically acclaimed television show.

We will have more on this story as details become available. For now, we're asking that everyone say a prayer for him.

UPDATE:

More details have surfaced surrounding the attack. FOX32 is reporting that Smollett had just arrived in Chicago from New York for work at around 2am. He was hungry and decided to visit a nearby Subway restaurant to pick up a bite to eat and when he exited the building he was approached by two men in ski masks.

Sources say that when the men approached Smollett they asked "Aren't you that f***ot 'Empire' n*****?"

"The two men -- both white and wearing ski masks -- viciously attacked Smollett as he fought back, but they beat him badly and fractured a rib. They put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him and as they left they yelled, "This is MAGA country."

"Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released this statement about the attack: "Overnight, the Chicago Police Department received a report of a possible racially-charged assault and battery involving a cast member of the television show Empire. Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime. Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline. The victim is fully cooperating with investigators and we ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report it anonymously to www.cpdtip.com"

Smollett was taken to a nearby hospital, treated for his injuries and discharged earlier this morning.

This makes us physically ill!