Hate Crime Charges Dropped for 12 Salisbury University Students in Assault Case

Prosecutors determined insufficient evidence to pursue hate crime charges for most defendants in the October off-campus attack.

Fifteen Salisbury University students were initially charged in connection with an October assault involving allegations of a hate crime.
Prosecutors dropped hate crime charges against 12 of the accused after reviewing evidence, though three students still face undisclosed charges.
The incident involved luring the victim to an apartment using a fake dating app profile, where he was allegedly beaten and subjected to a homophobic slur.
The victim suffered a broken rib and extensive bruising, according to police, and the investigation began after witnesses reported seeing a video of the attack.
The case has raised questions about campus safety, LGBTQ+ rights, and the broader handling of hate crime allegations.