A total of seven individuals were apprehended due to their involvement in an attack on an individual at an off-campus housing area for Salisbury University scholars, as reported by the law enforcement on November 5, 2024. The individuals involved were identified as being part of a fraternity at Salisbury University (SU) and are being accused of exploiting a dating app to deceive, intimidate, and inflict harm on another man during the middle of October, in information given by Salisbury officials.
The alleged perpetrators, who are between 18 and 20 years old, are said to have fabricated a bogus profile on Grindr, a platform for gay dating, masquerading as a 16-year-old in order to successfully persuade the victim to arrange a meeting with him at a living establishment situated on the 1400 block of University Terrace on the 15th of October.
Upon his arrival, according to the victim’s narrative to the police, he heard one of the assailants shout an obscure battle cry, followed by the emergence of approximately 15 men from a rear bedroom who subsequently coerced him into a chair. The ordeal lasted for a nerve-racking few minutes as the victim was compelled to narrate a haphazardly composed weather forecast whilst the group of collegiate men inflicted physical harm such as slapping, punching, kicking, and spitting, all amid a flurry of homophobic slurs.
This shocking incident was caught on several clips, as stated in the police record. In one such disturbing footage, an accused is seen assaulting the male victim using a kitchen utensil while additionally hurling disparaging slurs at him. With a considerable amount of effort and multiple attempts, the victim finally managed to extricate himself from the nightmare, but not without suffering from extensive bruising and a fractured rib.
It wasn’t until October 31, a couple of days post the incident being reported to SU law enforcement by two individuals who had seen one of the video records, that the Salisbury police were made aware. The individual who shared the videos handed over his mobile to the legal authorities, albeit after notifying the police that the said videos had been expunged.
The authorities were successful in retrieving and scrutinizing the videos, subsequently tracing the victim who admitted not reporting the crime due to his fear of potential repercussions. The victim, however, was confirmed not to be a student of Salisbury University.
The students apprehended in connection to this distressing incident were identified as follows: Ryder Baker (20), Riley Buster (20), Cruz Cespedes (19), Dylan Earp (20), Elijah Johnson (19), Zachary Leinemann (18), and Bennan Aird (18). Each one was slapped with grave charges, including first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and relevant hate crime allegations before their transfer to the Wicomico County Detention Center.
It is worth noting that four of the arrested individuals hail from Anne Arundel County. As per a media outlet’s report, legal representation for one of the accused claimed all seven were released from the police’s detention on Wednesday.
The official statement from Salisbury University expressed strong condemnation for all forms of violence, reiterating its commitment to uphold an environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for everyone, irrespective of their location on or off campus. A University spokesperson highlighted that any student found indulging in violent acts will be subjected to not only criminal charges but also disciplinary steps under SU’s Student Code of Community Standards.
The alleged crimes, as the spokesperson points out, contradict Salisbury University’s ethics and principles. The stance of the university is clear – there is zero tolerance for hate at SU.
In the wake of the students’ arrest, the university disseminated a message to the campus on Tuesday. ‘The possibility of SU students participating in any crime is unsettling, and it is even more appalling to consider our students involved in such deeply disturbing activities’, as stated by SU President Dr. Carolyn Lepre.
She continued, expressing that these acts of violence directed towards communities supporting LGBTQ+ rights run contrary to the fundamental principles of community, respect, and acceptance that form the very fabric of our university. Dr. Lepre, in her message, emphasized the necessity of preserving these principles in the face of adversity.
Through this incident, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining vigilance, respect, and understanding in our community. Let this unsettling incident shed light on the significance of solidarity, and ultimately, serve as a call to action for reinforcing our values of inclusivity and acceptance.