by Jack Engelhardt ‘25

Fifteen men, all students at Salisbury University, are accused in a hate crime that entailed the use of the dating app Grindr to lure out and trap a homosexual man to an off-campus Salisbury University apartment, where he was beaten. One of the charged students is a Sherwood High School alumni who graduated in 2023. The Warrior does not publish the names of suspects until they are found guilty in court.

According to documents regarding the charges obtained by WBOC, the victim was contacted by an individual claiming to be a 16 year old boy. Through multiple chat conversations with the victim through Grindr and Snapchat, the individual lured the victim to an off campus apartment where he was then ambushed by about 15 men who forced the victim to sit in a chair in the middle of the room.

They then proceeded to beat him, spit on him, and call him derogatory names all while he was being held against his will. After a visit at the hospital it was discovered that the victim had multiple bruises across his body and a broken rib.

Seven of the 15 suspects were discovered to have been associated with the Salisbury chapter of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The suspects have been charged with assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, along with the associated hate crime charges. On November 14, three more Salisbury students were hit with charges mimicking those received by their peers. Law enforcement states that these will most likely be the final arrests made regarding this case.

On November 11, Salisbury students, faculty, and community members gathered at the university’s main plaza and participated in a walk and vigil meant to signify unity and show that there is no place for hate at Salisbury University. Organizers of the event said that this gathering was a time for reflection and healing as this traumatic event has left many members of the community shaken.