Thread by @RobElgasABC7

NEW: @ABC reports Jussie Smollett told police his attackers concealed their faces and he did not identify the attackers by race. 1/2

Additionally, in their initial report, Jussie Smollett did not tell police his attackers yelled “MAGA.” Chicago Police PIO added: “I’m not saying it’s not true. He could have remembered later, but he did not tell officers that in the initial report.” 2/2

MORE: Chicago PD says detectives did a follow-up, supplemental interview with Jussie Smollett, where he did in fact tell police his attackers yelled “MAGA country.”

CPD also says: when Smollett contacted police at 2:42AM, he was still wearing the rope around his neck. The alleged encounter occurred at 2AM. Police have the rope and it will be analyzed.

All of the above is attributable to a Chicago police spokesman.

NEW: @ABC reports the FBI has taken over the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago.

Chicago police say my previous tweet is inaccurate. Apologies for the mistake. The investigation remains with Chicago police.

To clarify: a dozen Chicago police detectives are working the case. FBI is assisting.

NEW: Chicago police have a security image of Smollett alone inside a Subway sandwich shop near the location of the reported crime. Police have also obtained additional video placing him at the scene of the crime. 1/2

Chicago Police do not have any video of the assailants and continue to look for surveillance video. Investigators heard the "MAGA country" claim in media reports and called Smollett again. In that supplemental interview he shared that info with police. 2/2

Tonight @ABC7Chicago has learned Jussie Smollett requested responding Chicago police officers turn off their body cameras as they arrived to take his report. A spokesman says this is not uncommon when officers enter a private residence. 1/2

CPD spokesman says, per department policy, officers informed Smollett they were wearing activated body cameras. He did request the cameras to be turned off. 2/2

Police responded to the initial call from a man who was with Smollett inside an apartment. He would eventually self-transport to Northwestern Hospital.

As Chicago police expand their search for the men who allegedly attacked Jussie Smollett, a spokesman says this morning there have been “no obvious people that could be assailants” discovered. Detectives have poured over hundreds of hours of surveillance video.

BREAKING: Chicago police have located a surveillance camera that shows potential persons of interest wanted for questioning in alleged Jussie Smollett attack. 1/2

Police spokesman @AJGuglielmi says a community alert with photos is being constructed and will be sent out shortly. 2/2

MORE: The images of the two potential persons of interest show them walking in the general area of where Smollett is. It does NOT show an assault. Also the quality of the images is not great. Should be released in next few hours.

Chicago police say detectives want to talk to the people seen on surveillance. They are not calling them suspects. Because there is an allegation of a hate crime, a community alert will be issued.

UPDATE: The Chicago police community alert that will include images of two "potential persons of interest" in the Smollett case expected in the next 30 minutes. Likely before 8pm Chicago time at the latest.

Remember we are being told the quality of the images is not great. Obviously depends on type of camera. Don't know if this is a city, private or business camera.

BREAKING: Chicago Police release two photos of potential persons of interest in the Jussie Smollett investigation and issue a community alert.

NEW: Here is the Chicago Police community alert in the Jussie Smollett investigation.

This story keeps developing. Standby for more news...

NEW: @ABC reporting Smollett's music manager, Brandon Moore, has confirmed a @Variety report that he was on the phone with Smollett during the alleged attack and heard some of the incident.

MORE: Brandon Moore tells @ABC he gave his account to Chicago Police. We are trying to confirm that. Moore also says he heard the words "MAGA country". He says he heard that "clearly" and heard the racial slur.

I've spoken to Chicago police and can share a few more details about the investigation. Writing a quick story for 10pm news. Give me 10 minutes.

NEW: Chicago police CONFIRM Jussie Smollett and his music manager, Brandon Moore, told detectives they were on the phone when Smollett was being attacked.

However, detectives are unable to "independently verify" the call occurred because Smollett refused to turn over his phone.

Now to the surveillance camera images/video of Smollett and who police call the "potential persons of interest".

Detectives used time code from two different cameras to piece together Smollett's movements when he was near them. On one camera they are seated at a bench. The other camera shows Smollett across the street.

Police say both Smollett and the "persons of interest" walk out of frame (on different cameras). Smollett would reappear on a different camera about a minute later. So basically for about 60 seconds Smollett is not on surveillance camera.

Let me clarify. On one camera the "persons of interest" are seated at a bench. ACROSS the same street, Smollett is seen walking. Smollett is recorded on that different camera walking. The "persons of interest" are also seen walking, but on the other side of the same street.

The next time Smollett is seen on surveillance camera, he is entering a condo building. Police say he now has a rope around his neck and is "wearing it like a neck tie". About a minute (maybe less) has passed since he was seen on video.

Smollett, according to investigators, walks in to the building, walks by building security and gets on an elevator. This video is better quality according to detectives. And what appears to be road salt is on his sweatshirt.

Smollett would go to an acquaintance's home and that is where police would arrive to take his report.

Here’s our @ABC7Chicago report on the Jussie Smollett investigation: abc7.ws/2TiQngi

Going to try and stay updated on Smollett investigation today. My colleague @WillABC7 is working this too. Follow him and @ABC7Chicago.

Jussie Smollett’s family has released a statement.

Smollett family statement: “His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice. Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and the huge amount of love he has received.”

Smollett family: “We are thankful to our village for your immense support during this trying time. We are so grateful that God saw him through this cowardly attack alive. Jussie is a warrior whose light cannot be dimmed.”

UPDATE: Chicago police have confirmed a @TMZ report to @ABC that a neighbor of Smollett's did come forward with information. Her description of a man she said she saw with a rope of some kind was "significantly different" than one provided by Smollett.

Detectives took her information but have yet to find any surveillance video that shows an individual matching the description she gave.

Chicago police also say Jussie Smollett is NOT the target or focus of any criminal investigation, he is the victim. Police have no interest or probable cause to obtain a warrant to search his phone records.

Jussie Smollett's PR firm confirms to @ABC that Smollett plans to perform at a previously scheduled show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA this Saturday.

NEW: Minutes ago at a media availability Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson said "We are making gains" in the Smollett investigation and "hopefully a resolution soon".

Johnson also said "Our job is to investigate and bring the individuals in" who allegedly attacked Smollett. He continued "today we have no reason to think he (Smollett) isn't being genuine".

These comments are significant for a few reasons. 1) Police are actively pursuing leads 2) They are publicly acknowledging PROGRESS in this case.

Many of you are asking about what Chicago police said today regarding the Jussie Smollett investigation. Standby, I will post Eddie Johnson's (CPD superintendent) full comments. This will be video.

This was a media availability, not a specific news conference for the case. Police and the mayor were at an event together and (as they almost always do) they fielded reporter questions. TWO were asked. One was from my colleague @WillABC7.

I'm going to share two clips (my work computer won't let me upload the full clip). The second clip will over-run the first one a few seconds so you know it's the full comment.

Here is Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson talking about the Jussie Smollett case today. CLIP 1/2

MORE: Here is the rest of Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson talking about the Jussie Smollett investigation. CLIP 2/2

Just communicated with Chicago police, do have some new info to share in the Smollett investigation. Standby...

These will be exact quotes from an email I received after asking police if there is any confirmation to rumors of a subpoena for Smollett's phone records.

NEW VIDEO IS BEING DOWNLOADED. Regarding the Jussie Smollett attack investigation a Chicago police spokesman tells @ABC7Chicago "Detectives continue to follow-up on investigative leads as additional security cameras have been located and footage is being downloaded and reviewed."

MORE: The FBI is assisting CPD in the ATTACK investigation. "The Chicago Police Department is the lead investigative agency on the potential hate crime (assault/battery) with technical assistance being provided by the FBI at CPD’s request."

Finally, the alleged threat mailed to Smollett is an FBI Chicago case. "Questions about the alleged threat letter should be directed to FBI Chicago as they are the lead investigative agency."

All of the above quotes are attributable to a Chicago police spokesperson.

JUST IN: An @ABC FOIA request has been granted and we have obtained the original incident case report in the Jussie Smollett attack investigation.

I'm writing a story for the @ABC7Chicago 6pm newscast, but our web team is also efforting an update. I will post a link ASAP.

Looks like several redactions (I'm literally reading it for the first time).

From original Chicago police incident report in Jussie Smollett case "The primary aggressor was wearing a black mask concealing any facial features, and both offenders were dressed in black."

MORE: This is in reference to the original call to police and the man who called them. "He related to R/O's (responding officers) that victim did not want to report offense however he believed it to be in the best interest to."

For the "sobriety" part of the report, the victim is listed as "sober".

In the original police case report in the Jussie Smollett attack, police say the victim told them "Two unknown males approached him and gained his attention by saying verbatim "Empire fa***t n***er". Victim related that he is an actor on the TV show "Empire"."

READ IT: Here's a link to the original Chicago police incident report in the Jussie Smollett case: dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/…

Standby for some new information from Chicago police in the Jussie Smollett case.

Chicago police tell @ABC “As of yesterday Chicago Police detectives started visiting a series of stores that the white rope, allegedly used in the attack, could have been sold from. Detectives are continuing to do that today.”

MORE: Chicago police are also withholding certain details from surveillance video detectives have located because multiple people are calling in with tips. They want to make sure tipsters actually saw something and aren't just calling with info they see on TV/social media.

Have some new info from Chicago police in Smollett case...

Regarding a @TMZ report that Smollett has spoken to detectives again, police did not confirm. A spokesman says the actor returned to Chicago for work, but unclear if he’s met again with investigators.

Detectives have found additional video but it does not show an attack. Wouldn’t say what it shows.

Here’s the first specific detail we’ve learned about the type of rope found: A police spokesman tells @ABC7Chicago the rope around Smollett’s neck was a type of rope that can be used for clothes lines.

OK, let me get you some new details on the Smollett investigation. It's not much, and some of it has already been reported, but let's get up to date.

My Chicago reporting colleague @RaferWeigel is reporting police have new surveillance video from a red light camera. I haven not confirmed this with CPD but can tell you 1) There's a red light camera near the condo building where police were called...

2) Chicago police do tell me they are reviewing "red light cameras, pod cameras, hotel cameras, any cameras we can find". And because there are so many hours of footage, this process is taking a really long time.

Now to Frank Gatson the man who was with Jussie Smollett and the man who made the call to Chicago police.

EXTRA reporter @AJCalloway talked to Gatson in New York. Calloway's interview was the first time we've heard from Gatson publicly. Today @ABC was able to verify Gatson's comments (this is standard policy for us, we need to independently verify).

Frank Gatson's manager, Guido Fabris, did indeed verify to @ABC a few quotes Gatson said about the night (early morning) Jussie Smollett says he was attacked. I'll share those quotes here:

According to Frank Gatson's manager, Gatson says of the night of the Smollett attack: "I’m the one who called 911, I am the one who took him to the hospital, and it was so scary, man, that was a scary night — my stomach was numb."

Gatson, according to his manager, also says of the Smollett attack "I’m just glad I was the old man at his apartment when he got there, I was responsible. I said, 'Let’s call the cops, let’s go to the hospital.'"

Frank Gatson also applauded the efforts of the Chicago police. Saying "Shout out to Chicago police, especially the sergeant that came and got things together and made us feel comfortable."

One last (now on-the-record comment) by Frank Gatson who was with Jussie Smollett after the attack: "I’m the one that picked him up from the airport that night and I feel so selfish I didn’t walk with him that night.”

Have some new information about an @ABC7Chicago FOIA request in the Smollett investigation.

Last Friday one of our assignment editors filed under FOIA, "requesting any police body cams involving Jussie Smollett including the very first officer on the scene and any other officer body cams that have any video and or sound.. or any police video from police cars".

Our FOIA request for this information in the Smollett case was denied.

The response cites privacy.

Remember we reported Jussie Smollett did ask officers to turn off body cameras after they disclosed to him they were wearing them. This is CPD policy (to disclose the cams are recording) and investigators say it's not uncommon for victims of a crime to ask they be turned off.

Standby for an update on the Jussie Smollett investigation. It's about his phone records...

BREAKING: Chicago police confirm to @ABC that today Jussie Smollett submitted phone records from within an hour of the alleged attack to investigators.

MORE: Chicago police spokesman @AJGuglielmi tells @ABC7Chicago police received "limited and redacted phone records from the victim (Smollett). These records will be analyzed by detectives and we will be in contact with the victim should additional information be needed."

MORE: Chicago police tell @ABC and @ABC7Chicago Jussie Smollett's "limited and redacted" phone records were given to detectives at 1:28pm (Chicago time) today.

Revisiting: Chicago police are leading the Smollett attack investigation with assistance from the FBI. We are told the FBI is the lead in the alleged threat letter investigation.

Standby for an update on Jussie Smollet's phone records. We have some new information from police.

UPDATE: After Jussie Smollett turned over "limited & redacted" phone records, Chicago police spokesman @AJGuglielmi tells @ABC7Chicago "We are very appreciative of the victim's cooperation however the records provided do not meet the burden for a criminal investigation..."

MORE: Chicago police spokesman says "Detectives may be following up with him (Smollett) to request additional data to corroborate the investigative timeline."

NEW: Representatives for Jussie Smollett have released a statement. Will post here.

The following is a statement from Chris Bastardi, he is the Vice President/Head of Strategy and Crisis for Sunshine Sachs, the firm representing Jussie Smollett.

Sunshine Sachs firm on Smollett phone records: "Jussie is the victim here, which has been stated by the Superintendent of Police. Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police."

MORE: Sunshine Sachs firm: "Chicago PD has repeatedly informed us that they find Jussie’s account of what happened that night consistent and credible. Superintendent Johnson has been clear from day one that Jussie is a victim."

"We are continuing to work closely with Chicago PD and remain confident that they will find Jussie’s attackers and bring them to justice. Any redacted information was intended to protect the privacy of personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack."

Firm Sunshine Sachs representing Jussie Smollett: "Police have not told us that they are rejecting any records, nor have they expressed concerns about the records to us. Therefore, we don’t feel compelled to be bated into responding to uncorroborated press reports."

NEW: Jussie Smollett will sit down with @RobinRoberts for an exclusive @ABC interview on Good Morning America tomorrow.

EXCLUSIVE: Standby by for news and a major development in the Jussie Smollett investigation.

ABC 7 EXCLUSIVE: My colleague @BabichABC7 has confirmed Chicago Police are talking to two people of interest in the Jussie Smollett case. They cannot confirm their identities at this time.

More: @ABC also confirming police talking to two persons of interest. Police used technology to track the movements of the two individuals using cameras, public transportation records, and corroborating information provided by Smollett.

Chicago police say the two persons of interest have not been charged with a crime and there is no evidence they’re involved in the physical attack. “We know who they are and have brought them in for questioning” a CPD spokesman said.

NEW: @ABC7Chicago has confirmed the persons of interest in the Jussie Smollett case were picked up at O’Hare airport last night.

UPDATE: The 2 persons of interest in Smollett case are still being questioned by police and have been for hours. Their homes were raided overnight by police searching for possible evidence.

MORE: One of those persons of interest has appeared on Empire.
Smollett is also being questioned by police. Chicago police have no new comment. No one has been charged.

MORE: During the raid police retrieved shoes, electronic devices and other items they believe could help them determine whether the two people played any role in the alleged assault on Smollett.

Standby for a MAJOR development in the Jussie Smollett case.

BREAKING: Multiple soucres tell @ABC7Chicago Eyewitness News Jussie Smollet and the 2 men who are being questioned by police staged the attack - allegedly because his character was being written out of the show Empire.

MORE: Someone familiar with the investigation says Smollet was a no-show for an interview earlier today with detectives. All of this coming hours after Smollett spoke to @GMA speaking out in his first media interview taking aim at those who doubted his story.

NEW: Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson called @ABC7Chicago tonight to say Jussie Smollett is considered a victim and the police investigation is on-going.

UPDATE: Representatives for Jussie Smollett say “Today Jussie did answer routine followup questions for Chicago Police Department and continues to cooperate.”

NEW: 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment say
"The idea that Jussie Smollett has been, or would be, written off of EMPIRE is patently ridiculous. He remains a core player on this very successful series and we continue to stand behind him.”

Here is our latest reporting on the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago: abc7.ws/2X5LDwL