12 Salisbury University Students Accused of Posing as 16-Year-Old to Lure and Assault Man in Off-Campus Attack

Twelve students connected to a fraternity at Salisbury University have now been charged in a horrifying hate crime investigation following a brutal assault last month.

The police have confirmed that the attack occurred on October 15th at an off-campus apartment complex. According to the Salisbury Police Department, the victim, who remains unnamed, was specifically “targeted due to his sexual preferences.” What’s even more shocking is how the perpetrators lured the victim into this dangerous situation. They set up a fake social media account on Grindr, posing as a 16-year-old, to invite the victim to the residence under false pretenses.

The victim was ambushed by a group of college-aged men who surrounded him, forcing him to sit in a chair in the middle of the living room. He was punched, kicked, spit on, and taunted with derogatory slurs. The victim even tried to flee multiple times but was thrown to the ground every time. The assault lasted several minutes before he was finally allowed to leave. The victim ended up with bruises all over his body and a broken rib.

Now, 12 suspects, ranging in age from 18 to 21, are facing serious charges, including assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and hate crime charges. These men have been identified by police as members or associates of a Salisbury University fraternity.

The university has suspended all 12 students involved, stating that these actions are “in direct conflict with Salisbury University’s values.” They added that “hate has no place at SU,” but the words ring hollow when you realize the severity of what happened. The victim was not a student at the university, but clearly, the impact of this crime extends far beyond just one campus.