“Empire” Star Bryshere Y. Gray Faces Assault and Battery Charge in Chesapeake Incident

Bryshere Y. Gray, best known for his role as Hakeem Lyon on the hit Fox series Empire, is facing legal trouble again—this time in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Chesapeake police have confirmed that Gray, 31, has been charged with assault and battery, though he was not arrested. Authorities say the charge was filed by a private citizen following an incident at the Homewood Suites hotel on Friday afternoon.

According to court documents, the alleged victim is Gray’s associate, Dustin Wilkins—also known as Chosen Wilkins—who described the confrontation in detail. Wilkins said an argument escalated and resulted in Gray charging at him from behind a car.

“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,” the warrant states. “He charged into me with his shoulder and began fighting me as I was recording the incident over the phone… delivering a blunt blow into me and punching me.”

In an exclusive on-camera interview with 10 On Your Side’s Andy Fox, Wilkins emphasized that the incident stemmed from mental health issues, not malice.

“Something took place in a mental health aspect. I can not disclose what happened, I can not disclose the details of that,” Wilkins 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.”

Wilkins also revealed that he played a key role in helping Gray secure a bond.

“Bryshere doesn’t need to be in jail. He wouldn’t survive in jail. He needs mental help,” he stated.

Gray has previously faced legal troubles. In 2020, he was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona for allegedly assaulting his wife—a case that drew significant public attention.

He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Wednesday.