12 college students charged with hate crimes after “targeted” attack on gay man on Grindr

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Maryland police have arrested 12 Salisbury University students who allegedly used Grindr to target and attack a gay man because of his sexuality in October.

The attack reportedly occurred at an off-campus apartment complex for college students, according to a news release from the Salisbury Police Department (SPD). Local news outlet WBOC reports that based on charging documents, the victim was contacted on Grindr by a person – police later identified him as 18-year-old Zachary Leinemann – claiming to be 16, which is the legal age in Maryland sexual maturity corresponds.

WBOC says that, according to police, Leinemann lured the victim to the off-campus apartment complex on Oct. 15 under the guise of sex. The victim told police that when he arrived, about 15 men attacked him and forced him to sit on a chair in the middle of the room while they beat him, punched him, spat on him, and called him derogatory names for several minutes insulted.

CBS News reports that video of the attack shows one of the suspects hitting a victim with a baking sheet.

“Why are you getting up? Take one more step and I swear I’ll finish you, bro,” one of the suspects shouts in the video. “Go back!” Lie down. Lie down. Lie down or I’ll beat you up!”

Although the victim allegedly tried to leave several times, he was thrown to the ground and warned by his attackers not to tell anyone what had happened. After seeking medical attention, the victim discovered that he had suffered a broken rib and bruises all over his body from the attack.

According to Salisbury police, seven of the 12 people are associated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Salisbury University. The students are 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; and 18-year-old Zachary Leinemann.

Police identified the other five people involved as 18-year-old Cameron Guy; 19-year-old Jacob Howard; 21-year-old Eric Sinclair; 19-year-old Patrick Gutierrez; and 20-year-old Dylan Pietuszka.