Charges 12 Students for ‘Targeted’ Hate Crime Attack: Police

Multiple students have been charged in a hate crime investigation after a male victim was attacked last month.

On Thursday, November 7, the Salisbury Police Department in Maryland confirmed this in a statement: release The 12 suspects, who were identified as members and/or associates of a fraternity at Salisbury University, face multiple charges following the Oct. 15 attack, including assault, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment.

The statement stated that the attack occurred at an off-campus apartment complex for college-aged students and that detectives saw the images on his cell phone.

Police confirmed the unnamed victim “was targeted due to his sexual preferences,” according to the statement.

“A group of men used a social media account to invite the victim to a residence in the 1400 block of University Terrace under false pretenses,” the post said. The statement was included.

7News, WJZ News And WBOC He stated that the victim was brought to the scene after one of the suspects created an account on the dating app Grindr, pretending to be a 16-year-old boy.

“When the victim responded and entered the home, multiple college-aged men surrounded the victim and forced him to sit on an isolated chair in the middle of the living room,” police said of the attack in a press release. he added.

The statement continued as follows: “After being forced to sit down, the victim was kicked, punched and spat on, while the men called the victim derogatory names. The victim told detectives that she repeatedly tried to leave the apartment, but was thrown out. At each first attempt to escape, she was attacked on the floor and eventually let him go.” It took a few minutes before permission was granted.”

Police confirmed that the victim, who reported the crime on October 31, suffered bruises and a broken rib during the attack.

Police first identified Ryder Baker, 20; Bennan Aird, 18; Riley Brister, 20; Cruz Cespedes, 19; Dylan Earp, 20; Elijah Johnson, 19; and Zachary Leinemann, 18, who was involved in the attack.

On Thursday 7 November, following further investigation, police identified the following as allegedly being part of the attack; Cameron Guy, 18; Jacob Howard, 19; Eric Sinclair, 21; Patrick Gutierrez, 19; and Dylan Pietuszka, 20.

Police confirmed in a statement that all individuals were charged with First Degree Assault, False Imprisonment, Reckless Endangerment and related Hate Crime charges.

The investigation continues.

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“All 12 students charged were suspended, which is the most severe penalty the university can impose at this stage of the process under our Community Standards Guidelines,” a university spokesperson told PEOPLE.

“Salisbury University condemns all acts of violence. We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone on and off campus,” they added in the statement.

“Any student who commits an act of violence can expect to face disciplinary action as well as criminal charges under SU’s Community Standards Student Code. The crimes described are in direct conflict with the values ​​of Salisbury University and the values ​​we stand for. Hate has no place at SU.” His statement continued.

A university spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the victim was not a student at the school.

The Salisbury Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s contact for additional information.