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Bryshere Y. Gray—best known for playing Hakeem Lyon on Fox’s Empire—is back in the headlines, and not for his latest role.
The 31-year-old actor was arrested this past Sunday (June 15) in Chesapeake, Virginia and charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery. But here’s the twist: the charge didn’t come from police. Instead, it was filed by a private citizen.
That citizen? Dustin “Chosen” Wilkins, someone who’s more than just a bystander. According to court docs, Wilkins is a longtime associate of Gray’s, and things reportedly went left after an argument at a Homewood Suites on Friday afternoon.
In his statement, Wilkins described a tense moment that quickly escalated. “As I was explaining to him that he can’t just leave without paying, adding you have enough problems… I am trying to save your life… He then charged towards me from around the car. Charged into me with his shoulder… and fought me as I was recording the incident over the phone… a blunt blow into me and punching me.”
Despite the blow-up, Wilkins didn’t paint Gray as a villain. In fact, he emphasized that the actor is battling some serious personal demons.
“Something took place in a mental health aspect. I cannot disclose what happened, I cannot disclose the details of that,” Wilkins told WAVY. “All I can tell you is Bryshere is a friend, he’s like my brother. He is just someone who is dealing with some very interesting mental health issues.”
Gray is now out of jail and is expected in court for arraignment on Wednesday.
