Salisbury University Students Charged with Hate Crime Against Man for Sexual Orientation
- A victim was lured to an apartment where he was assaulted due to his sexual orientation.
- The attack involved physical violence and resulted in serious injuries, including a broken rib.
- Twelve students from the university have been charged with various serious offenses including hate crimes.
On October 15, 2024, twelve students at Salisbury University in Maryland lured a victim to an off-campus apartment via a social media account and assaulted him. The police reported that the students kicked, punched, and spat on the victim while using derogatory language pertaining to his sexual orientation. Medical examinations revealed that the victim sustained numerous bruises and a broken rib from the attack. Following an investigation, all twelve students, aged 18 to 21, were linked to a fraternity at the university. The case began when the victim came forward on October 31, prompting a police inquiry that included reviewing video evidence captured on a cellphone during the incident. The preliminary investigation led to the identification of seven individuals, with five more added shortly thereafter. In addition to hate crime charges, the students are facing serious allegations of assault, false imprisonment, and reckless endangerment. This incident not only highlights issues of safety and discrimination on college campuses but also demonstrates how social media can be weaponized to target vulnerable individuals. The nature of the crime has sparked outrage within the local community and beyond, raising awareness surrounding sexual orientation-based violence. As the investigation unfolds, the university community is left grappling with the implications of such violent acts perpetrated by fellow students and the societal attitudes that contribute to hate crimes. The case serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing hate and violence in educational environments.