Salisbury Students Charged in Hate Crime Case

Fifteen students from Salisbury University in Maryland have been charged with assault and hate crimes after allegedly luring a gay man to an off-campus apartment and attacking him. The suspects, aged 18 to 21, reportedly used a fake profile on a dating app to entice the victim under false pretenses. Once at the apartment, the victim was forced into a chair, assaulted, and called derogatory names. Salisbury University has suspended the students involved and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter, pending the results of the criminal investigation. The university and fraternity have condemned the acts, emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and non-violence. The incident highlights a growing concern over hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, as such incidents have been on the rise according to FBI statistics.