Photo Courtesy of CNN

Empire star Jussie Smollett was a victim of an apparent hate crime that was so brutal that he required medical attention.

The attack was confirmed by TMZ, they provide specific details on the suspects. Two white men wearing ski masks reportedly placed a noose around the actor’s neck, poured bleach on him and screamed, “This is MAGA country.” This could be a racially and homophobic motive for these two individuals.

TMZ reported law enforcement sources confirm that the Chicago PD is currently investigating the matter as an incident of battery with TMZ specifying that the Empire star was admitted and treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital following the attack.

Jussie Smollett officially came out to the public as a gay man in 2015 during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. He shared, during the interview, that he hoped his coming out would show other closeted members of the LGBTQ community that they are not alone.

Justin has reportedly been released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.