Students chase man on campus in 'to catch a predator' TikTok scheme

In October 2023, a disturbing incident took place at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, when five college students allegedly conspired to lure a soldier onto their campus. The plan was inspired by a viral TikTok trend reminiscent of the television show 'To Catch a Predator', where individuals confront those they believe are sexual predators. The students engaged in this reckless scheme, inviting a 22-year-old Army soldier to the campus using the dating app Tinder, despite him expecting to meet an adult and not being aware of any underlying ulterior motives. On October 1, the situation escalated when the victim, who ultimately was not trying to engage with underage individuals, was ambushed shortly after he arrived. The group, consisting of about 30 students, confronted him in a student lounge, berating him as a sexual offender and blocking his exit. This confrontation was recorded as part of a deliberately staged event, encouraging the group's anticipation of garnering attention on social media for their actions. The alleged actions of the group have raised serious concerns about issues of consent and harassment in the context of college environments. As the incident unfolded after the soldier attempted to leave the lounge, he was physically assaulted by some of the individuals involved, leading to further chaos as he fled the area in an attempt to escape. One student is reported to have punched the victim in the back of the head, while another slammed his head into a car door when he reached his vehicle. Despite not suffering significant injuries, the whole episode has spotlighted the disturbing willingness of individuals to resort to violence and intimidation to create drama for social media content. Assumption University later released statements condemning the actions of the students, labeling the situation as abhorrent and counter to the institution's values. The university administration noted that the victim was an active-duty military service member, emphasizing the sacrifices made by those in the military. The students involved face serious criminal charges, highlighting the urgent need for education and reflection on the consequences of dangerous pranks that can have severe repercussions for both victims and perpetrators.