Seven arrested in hate crime assault in Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury Police have arrested seven people in connection to an assault that took place in mid-October.
The investigation began on October 31st, when detectives were contacted by members of the Salisbury University Police Department regarding an assault that allegedly took place in an off-campus apartment complex for college-age students. Detectives met with witnesses and observed cell phone video of a man being assaulted by several college-age men.
It was determined that the incident took place on October 15th, when a group of men used a social media account and invited the victim to a residence in the 1400 block of University Terrace under false pretenses. When the victim entered the residence, numerous college-age men allegedly surrounded the victim and forced him to sit in a chair isolated in the middle of the living room, kicking, punching, and spitting on the victim while calling him derogatory names. The victim told police that he tried to leave the residence multiple times but was thrown to the floor every time. After several minutes, the victim was allowed to leave and subsequently sought medical care, learning that he had sustained bruising throughout his body and a broken rib.
Police say the investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly targeted due to his sexual preferences. A total of seven men were identified as the suspects who allegedly participated in the assault, who were also determined to be members and/or associates of a fraternity at the college.
The following have been charged with first degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and associated hate crime offenses:
- 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
