Authorities in Maryland have charged three additional Salisbury University students with hate crimes following a violent attack that police say targeted a man because of his sexual orientation.
Details of the Assault
The attack occurred on October 15 at an off-campus apartment in Salisbury, a city in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region. Police allege that one of the defendants created a fake profile on a dating app to lure the victim under the guise of a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old. When the man arrived, he was physically assaulted and called a homophobic slur.
The victim sustained a broken rib and extensive bruising, according to charging documents.
Total Defendants and Charges
With the latest arrests, a total of 15 students have now been charged in connection with the case. The charges include assault, false imprisonment, and hate crimes for allegedly targeting the victim due to his sexual orientation. Police announced Thursday that no further arrests are expected.
Legal and Community Reactions
Two of the three newly charged students do not yet have attorneys listed in court records. A lawyer for the third defendant declined to comment. Steve Rakow, an attorney representing a previously charged student, disputed the hate crime designation, claiming the man did not report the incident because he was attempting to engage in illegal activity.
Salisbury University officials have publicly condemned the attack. The university organized a unity walk earlier this week to support the LGBTQ+ community and ensure campus members feel safe.
How the Case Unfolded
The investigation began when two witnesses reported seeing a video of the assault to campus police. Authorities later confirmed the attack through evidence collected in the case.
