Empire Actor Bryshere Gray Charged in Assault Case

Bryshere Gray, best known for his role as Hakeem Lyon on 'Empire,' has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in Chesapeake, Virginia, after allegedly charging and striking his associate and friend, Dustin Wilkins, during a hotel dispute over payment. The charge, filed by Wilkins as a private citizen, resulted in Gray being bonded out of jail, with his arraignment set for Wednesday. Wilkins has publicly described Gray as a friend and advocated for mental health treatment instead of incarceration, citing Gray's ongoing struggles. Gray's legal troubles include a 2020 felony domestic violence conviction in Arizona and a probation violation, reflecting a pattern of offenses. These repeated incidents have contributed to Gray's decline from his former television fame. No official statement has been made by Gray or his legal team.