Fifteen students at Salisbury University in Maryland are facing assault and hate crime charges after allegedly targeting a man due to his sexual preferences. The incident occurred on October 15 when the victim was lured to an off-campus apartment under false pretenses. Upon entering, the victim was surrounded by a group of men who proceeded to physically assault him while using derogatory language.
The students, aged 18 to 21, have been charged with first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and associated hate crimes. The victim, who suffered a broken rib and multiple bruises, was eventually allowed to leave the apartment after the attack.
Police reviewed videos of the incident, recorded without the victim's consent, which led to the arrests of the suspects. Some of the accused students have been suspended from Salisbury University, with additional consequences for those involved in the fraternity.
While attorneys for some of the suspects claim the incident is not related to the victim's sexual orientation, the Salisbury Police maintain that the victim was targeted due to his preferences. The case has sparked outrage and condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and university officials.
Grindr, the dating app where the victim initially met one of the accused students, has expressed readiness to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation. The incident highlights the rise in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, as reported in the FBI's annual statistics.
The university has taken swift action by suspending the students involved and restricting their access to campus and academic coursework. The fraternity to which some of the students belonged has also expelled them, denouncing their actions and emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and violence.
In response to the incident, Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre emphasized the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The case is ongoing, with preliminary hearings scheduled for some of the defendants in December.
As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant in addressing bias-motivated attacks and upholding principles of respect and belonging.
