Community members speaking out following alleged hate crime involving 7 SU students

SALISBURY. – Community members are shaken 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 October 15th, 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 and spit on the victim, while calling him derogatory names. Investigators believe the victim was targeted because of his sexual orientation.

Executive director of Salisbury PFLAG, Mark DeLancey, said members of the LGBTQ+ community are all too familiar with these types of crimes.

“We understand that this is an ongoing investigation, we want to make sure that we’re here for the victims, or any sexual assault victims who feel like something like this needs attention,” DeLancey said. “We’re all here to make sure that anyone can feel safe and at ease, whether they’re on campus or school of learning, and not experience things like this.

Salisbury PFLAG is condemning the alleged actions of the seven students, saying that in the past two years, hate crimes based on gender identity have surged 48% in the US, while those based on sexual orientation are up by almost 37%. They’re staggering statistics that DeLancey said should demand public outcry.

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

SU spokesperson, Jason Rhodes, said the students have been placed on interim suspension during the duration of the investigation. The University sent a strong message to all students that hate will not be tolerated.

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