The end of Season 2 episode 17 had Empire fans everywhere asking “Did Jamal Lyon die?” The middle Lyon son was shot by Freda Gatz at the American Sound Awards and currently his fate remains unknown. However, there are already several clues that Jamal may succumb to his injuries. Check out what we know so far.

We Hear A Flatline

In episode 17, Jamal is conscious when he first arrives to the hospital; however, once doctors begin to work on him, we hear a distinct flatline sound before he is taken to an operating room. Jamal appears to seize and go unconscious at that point. This is the last time we see him.

Jamal Isn’t Featured In The Episode 18 Preview

After a flashback to episode 17, Jamal is not seen in the the preview for episode 18, which is the finale for Season 2. The preview focuses on other aspects of episode 18, including Jamal’s wedding and Rhonda confronting Anika about pushing her down the stairs while pregnant. However, one scene shows several family members looking somber while sitting in an area with many chairs. Could it be Jamal’s funeral?

The Episode 18 First Look Hints At Jamal’s Death

A first look at episode 18 confirms that someone will die during the season finale. Empire actress, Gabourey Sidibe says that someone must die in the Season 2 finale just as someone (Vernon Turner) died in the Season 1 finale. With Jamal being shot, he is the most obvious candidate.

Jamal is not featured in the episode 18 first look, nor is Empire actor Jussie Smollet ,who often does commentary for first look. Much like the episode 18 preview, the first look focuses more on what happens to other characters than what has happened to Jamal.

Jussie Smollett Hints At His Departure On Twitter

Jussie Smollett live tweeted episode 17 of Empire and sent out some cryptic messages at the end of his session. One tweet read “This is why we must watch how we treat people. We never know how long they have. Just in the blink of an eye. Gone.” This could refer to the fight Lucious and Jamal had prior to the ASAs. In his final tweet of the night, Smollett stated that he enjoyed his time on Fox and that he will be making a record and starring in movies.

Verdict

It looks like this could be the end for Jamal Lyon, unless he comes back as one of Andre’s hallucinations (too soon?). However, we won’t know for sure what happens until the season finale, called “Past Is Prologue” airs.

Empire airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.