Bryshere Y. Gray, widely recognized for playing Hakeem Lyon on Empire, is now facing assault and battery charges in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Per reports from WAVY, the 31-year-old actor wasn’t taken into custody by police but was instead charged by a private citizen. He’s been hit with a single misdemeanor count of assault and battery.
Dustin Wilkins, also known as Chosen Wilkins and an associate of Bryshere Gray, told WAVY that a heated argument between the two escalated into a physical altercation last Friday. According to Wilkins, Gray charged at him from behind, prompting the assault and battery complaint.
Gray was reportedly arrested on Sunday but has since bonded out. The arrest warrant describes the moment, stating: “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 filing the complaint, Wilkins insisted Gray is “not a bad person” and emphasized that the actor is struggling with serious mental health challenges.
“Something took place in a mental health aspect. I cannot disclose what happened, I cannot disclose the details of that,” he said. “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.”
He added, “Bryshere doesn’t need to be in jail. He wouldn’t survive in jail. He needs mental help.”
Gray is set to appear in court for arraignment on Wednesday.
This isn’t his first brush with the law. In 2020, he was arrested in Arizona for allegedly assaulting his wife, leading to a standoff with a SWAT team. He pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault and was sentenced in 2021 to 10 days in jail and three years’ probation. Later that same year, he was involved in a bizarre “food fight” incident at a 7-Eleven. In 2022, he was reportedly arrested again for violating his probation.
