Community members are speaking out about an alleged hate crime involving seven SU ​​students

SALISBURY. — Community members are shocked after Salisbury University students Ryder Baker, Bennan Aird, Riley Brister, Cruz Cespedes, Dylan Earp, Elijah Johnson and Zachary Leinemann were implicated in a hate crime.

On Oct. 15, the group is accused of using social media to lure an adult male victim under false pretenses to a University Park apartment, where they allegedly kicked, punched, spit on the victim and called him derogatory names . Investigators believe the victim was targeted because of his sexual orientation.

Mark DeLancey, executive director of Salisbury PFLAG, said members of the LGBTQ+ community are all too familiar with this type of crime.

“We understand this is an ongoing investigation. We want to make sure we are there for the victims or any victims of sexual assault who feel like something like this needs attention,” DeLancey said. “We are all here to ensure that everyone, whether on campus or at school, can feel safe and comfortable and not have to experience things like this.

Salisbury PFLAG condemns the seven students' alleged actions, saying that over the past two years, hate crimes based on gender identity in the U.S. have increased by 48%, while hate crimes based on sexual orientation have increased by nearly 37%. These are shocking statistics that DeLancey says should cause a public outcry.

“This is just ridiculous. “How far does something have to go before a hate crime can be classified as a hate crime?” asked DeLancey.

SU spokesman Jason Rhodes said the students were placed on interim suspension pending the investigation. The university has sent a clear message to all students that hate will not be tolerated.

“We are committed to ensuring that our students are safe on campus, and we are working to ensure that our student body understands that there will be consequences if they participate in something like this,” Rhodes said.