Multiple students have been charged in a hate crime investigation after a male victim was assaulted last month.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, the Salisbury Police Department in Maryland confirmed in a release that 12 suspects — determined to be members and or associates of a fraternity at Salisbury University — were facing multiple charges, including assault, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment, following the Oct. 15 attack.
The assault occurred at an off-campus apartment complex for college-aged students, the release stated, adding that detectives had seen footage on a cell phone.
Police confirmed the victim, who hasn’t been named, was “targeted due to his sexual preferences,” per the release.
Google Maps
“A group of men utilized a social media account and invited the victim to a residence within the 1400 block of University Terrace under false pretenses,” the post stated.
7News, WJZ News and WBOC stated the victim had been lured to the scene after one of the suspects reportedly created an account on the dating app Grindr, posing as a 16-year-old.
“When the victim responded to and entered the residence, numerous college-aged men surrounded the victim and forced him to sit in a chair isolated in the middle of the living room,” police added of the assault in the press release.
The statement continued, “After being forcefully seated, the victim was kicked, punched, and spit on while the men called the victim derogatory names. The victim conveyed to detectives that he attempted to leave the apartment multiple times; however, he was thrown to the floor during every initial attempt to flee. The assault lasted for several minutes until he was eventually allowed to leave.”
Maryland Police Department
The victim, who reported the crime on Oct. 31, sustained bruising throughout his body and suffered a broken rib in the attack, police confirmed.
Police initially identified Ryder Baker, 20; Bennan Aird, 18; Riley Brister, 20; Cruz Cespedes, 19; Dylan Earp, 20; Elijah Johnson, 19; and Zachary Leinemann, 18, as being involved in the assault.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, following further investigation, police then identified the following as allegedly being a part of the attack; Cameron Guy, 18; Jacob Howard, 19; Eric Sinclair, 21; Patrick Gutierrez, 19; and Dylan Pietuszka, 20.
Maryland Police Department
All individuals have been charged with Assault First-Degree, False Imprisonment, Reckless Endangerment, and the associated Hate Crime charges, police confirmed in the release.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Maryland Police Department
A university spokesperson told PEOPLE, “All 12 students who were charged have been placed on suspension, which is the harshest penalty the University can impose at this stage of the process under our Code of Community Standards.”
“Salisbury University condemns all acts of violence. We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for all, both on and off campus,” they added in the statement.
Maryland Police Department
“Any student who commits an act of violence can expect to face criminal charges, as well as disciplinary action under SU’s Student Code of Community Standards. The crimes described are in direct conflict with Salisbury University’s values and what we stand for. Hate has no place at SU,” the statement continued.
The university spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE the victim was not a student at the school.
Salisbury Police Department didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
