7 Salisbury students accused of hate crime, lured victim through social media

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Seven students from Salisbury University have been charged in connection to a hate crime because of the victim's sexuality.

This stems from an incident that happened on October 15, in an off-campus apartment for students.

Detectives met with witnesses and watched video of the victim being assaulted by several students.

Police say the students allegedly lured the victim to the 1400 block of University Terrace through social media. When the victim arrived, he was surrounded and forced to sit in a chair isolated in the middle of the living room.

After being forcefully seated, the victim was kicked, punched, and spit on while the men called him derogatory names.

According to police, the victim tried to leave multiple times, but was thrown to the floor during every attempt. The assault lasted several minutes until he was eventually allowed to leave.

The victim sustained a broken rib as a result of the assault.

The students, some of whom are fraternity members, have been charged with assault first degree, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and the associated hate crime charges.

These were the seven students who allegedly took part in the assault: