Sophia Bush is taking a stand against an online stalker who has tormented her for months by firing back on social media Monday night.
Also read: Sophia Bush and ‘Nashville’ Creator Callie Khouri to Be Honored Emmy Weekend (Exclusive)
“For the past few months I have been harassed to the point of sheer horror by an online stalker,” the “Chicago P.D.” actress wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “This person has taken to harassing and bullying many of my followers as well. And tonight I finally said fuck this shit.”
Her lengthy social media message, which includes screenshots of her tormentor’s comments, refers to “over 500” examples of harassment at the hands of the unknown assailant.
Also read: Sandra Bullock Faced Stalker in Home Before Burglary Arrest
“This kind of behavior does. Not. Fly,” she continued. “You do not have permission to hide. Not anymore: This has gotten beyond out of hand. Obsessive. Violent. And legally punishable.”
The 34-year-old actress plays a police detective on the NBC series, which is a spin-off of “Chicago Fire,” but according to her note the real life authorities have been less than helpful with advice on dealing with the tormentor.
“Law enforcement says ‘we’re on it,’ and ‘don’t acknowledge this person,’ but when this person, this vitriolic perverse monster is targeting all of you? Threatening rape, gang rape, & throat slitting to name a few? Impersonating me and breaking some of your hearts? Telling people they should kill themselves, and detailing how?” Bush asked. “Nope. No silence.”
Also read: ‘Chicago Fire’ Spinoff Adds Sophia Bush, Patrick Flueger as Series Regulars
Bush has not immediately responded to TheWrap‘s request for comment, but you can read her full Instagram statement below:
“For the past few months I have been harassed to the point of sheer horror by an online stalker. This person has taken to harassing and bullying many of my followers as well. And tonight I finally said fuck this shit. This is what I posted to twitter. The photograph is a tiny sampling of over 500 screenshots I’ve taken in the last three months. And I’m sharing it here to make something very clear. This kind of behavior does. Not. Fly. You do not have permission to hide. Not anymore: This has gotten beyond out of hand. Obsessive. Violent. And legally punishable. To any of you who’ve been targeted by @SophhiaBush, I’m so sorry. I’m sure he/she will be blocked again soon, only to create another account. We’re close to 20 now. And law enforcement says “we’re on it,” and “don’t acknowledge this person,” but when this person, this vitriolic perverse monster is targeting all of you? Threatening rape, gang rape, & throat slitting to name a few? Impersonating me and breaking some of your hearts? Telling people they should kill themselves, and detailing how? Nope. No silence. As the evidence of staking and harassment mounts, so does my anger. Because this is grotesque. And on the other side, my sadness mounts as well. What happened to you, you poor lost soul, that this is how you find pleasure? That you need to attempt to destroy little bits of other people to build yourself up, bit by bit? Who in your life hurt you? Who made you need to act out like this? Because my god I feel so sorry for you. But my sorrow in the face of your pain is no match for my anger at the pain you are causing others. You do not have the right to spread poison because you have felt poisoned. It’s a small minded and ugly path to take. Choosing to inflict pain doesn’t make you strong or powerful. It only proves your weakness and self-loathing. All the time you’re taking to verbally harass us, threaten physical assault, and terrorize strangers? Please start spending it in therapy and learn to love yourself. You deserve it. And because none of us deserve one more moment of your bullying bullshit. #gethelp #bullyingisugly #violenceisntfunny #thereisabetterway”