7 Salisbury students accused of hate crimes lured victims via social media

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Seven Salisbury University students have been charged in connection with a hate crime involving the victim’s sexuality.

This stems from an incident that occurred on October 15th in an off-campus student apartment.

Investigators met with witnesses and viewed video that showed the victim being attacked by several students.

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

After being forcibly put down, the victim was kicked, punched and spat at while the men called him derogatory names.

According to police, the victim tried to escape several times but was thrown to the ground each time he tried. The attack lasted several minutes until he was finally allowed to leave.

The victim suffered a broken rib as a result of the attack.

The students, some of whom are fraternity members, are charged with first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and related hate crime charges.

These were the seven students allegedly involved in the attack:

• 20-year-old Ryder Baker
• 18-year-old Bennan Aird
• 20-year-old Riley Brister
• 19 year old Cruz Cespedes
• 20 year old Dylan Earp
• 19 year old Elijah Johnson
• 18-year-old Zachary Leinemann

Carolyn Lepre, president of Salisbury University, said in a statement: “Moments like these are profoundly difficult to communicate. As the president of the university, a resident of the community, and the mother of two college students, the right words come to mind – they feel inadequate.” It fully conveys the weight of shock and disbelief we all share.
“The thought of SU students committing a crime is disturbing, but the thought of SU students committing crimes of such a disturbing nature is truly frightening. Let me make this clear. We are dismayed by these allegations.” I I am upset by these allegations,” the statement continued.