Empire Actor Bryshere Gray Faces Assault Charge In Virginia

Bryshere Y. Gray, the 31-year-old actor best known for his role on Empire, is currently facing an assault and battery charge stemming from an incident at a Chesapeake hotel in Virginia. However, the circumstances surrounding the charge are more complex than they may seem.

Chesapeake police confirmed they did not arrest Gray directly; instead, the charge was filed by Dustin Wilkins, also known as Chosen Wilkins, an associate of Gray’s. According to court documents, the altercation occurred Friday afternoon at a Homewood Suites following an argument between the two men.

Wilkins alleges that Gray suddenly charged him from behind a car, using a shoulder check and throwing punches, even striking Wilkins while he was recording the confrontation on his phone. The incident escalated into a physical fight quickly.

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Yet, in an exclusive interview with 10 On Your Side reporter Andy Fox, Wilkins portrayed Gray in a different light, not as an aggressor, but as a close friend struggling with mental health issues. “Something took place in a mental health aspect,” Wilkins explained, choosing his words carefully. “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 played a key role in helping Gray post bond, stressing that jail is not the right environment for him. “Bryshere doesn’t need to be in jail. He wouldn’t survive in jail. He needs mental help,” Wilkins said.

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This isn’t the first time Gray’s personal struggles have made headlines. In 2020, he was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, on charges related to allegedly assaulting his wife. It’s unclear whether that case connects to his current situation, but it highlights ongoing challenges in his life.

Gray is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on Wednesday. As the legal proceedings continue, attention is turning to his mental health and how the justice system approaches cases involving individuals facing similar difficulties.