Seven Salisbury University students are charged with assault and hate crimes

by Junna Base November 6, 2024

Seven Salisbury University students are facing assault and hate crime charges for an incident that police say occurred at an off-campus apartment complex.

Here’s what we know now.

Seven suspects are in custody because of the attack in mid-October

On October 31, 2024, Salisbury Police were contacted by members of the Salisbury University Police Department regarding an assault that allegedly occurred at an off-campus apartment complex for college-age students. Investigators met with witnesses and observed cellphone video of an adult male victim being attacked by several college-aged men.

In a letter to the Salisbury University community, President Carolyn Lepre confirmed that “seven of our students have been arrested for committing multiple violent crimes. It is alleged that these students, some of whom are fraternity members, committed crimes including first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and related hate crimes motivated by a person’s sexual orientation at an apartment complex off campus.”

Police: The victim was kicked, punched and spit on by SU students

During the course of the investigation, detectives identified the victim from the video and met with him. Investigators determined that on October 15, 2024, a group of men used a social media account and invited the victim to an apartment in the 1400 block of University Terrace under false pretenses.

As the victim responded and entered the apartment, numerous college-aged men surrounded the victim and forced him to sit isolated on a chair in the middle of the living room. After the victim was forcibly sat down, he was kicked, punched and spit on while the men called him derogatory names, according to police.

The victim told investigators that he tried to leave the apartment several times, but was thrown to the ground each time he attempted to escape. According to police, the attack lasted several minutes until he was finally allowed to leave. As a result of the attack, the victim sought medical attention and learned that he had suffered bruises all over his body and a broken rib.

Police: Victim was targeted because of his sexual preferences

The investigation revealed that the victim was targeted based on his sexual preferences. As investigators continued the investigation, they identified the following seven men as those who were allegedly involved in the attack and were also believed to be members and/or associates of a fraternity at Salisbury University.

Ryder Baker, 20, of Olney, Maryland.
Bennan Aird, 18, of Milton, Del.
Riley Brister, 20, of Davidsonville, Maryland.
Cruz Cespedes, 19, of Jarrettsville, Maryland.
Dylan Earp, 20, of Gambrills, Maryland.
Elijah Johnson, 19, of Crofton, Maryland.
Zachary Leinemann, 18, or Crofton, Md.

They are all charged with first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and related hate crimes. Each was taken to the Salisbury Police Department for processing and later released to the Wicomico County Detention Center for processing by a district court commissioner.

This investigation is ongoing and Salisbury Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident or incidents of a similar nature to contact Crime Stoppers at 410-548-3165. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

Salisbury University President Lepre releases a statement on the incident

In an official statement on the incident, Carolyn Lepre from Salisbury University said:

“Salisbury University condemns all acts of violence. We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for everyone, both on and off campus. Any student who commits an act of violence will face criminal charges and disciplinary action within SUs.” The crimes described are in direct contradiction to the values of Salisbury University and hate has no place at the SU.

“SU continues to cooperate with law enforcement in this investigation and is actively monitoring the situation.”

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