Three additional individuals have been arrested and charged with hate crimes in connection with a targeted attack on a man based on his sexual orientation in Maryland. Sean Antone, Benjamin Brandenburg, and Logan Clark were taken into custody following the initial arrest of 12 Salisbury University students for the assault. The charges against the three individuals include first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, and hate crime offenses. The university has placed all three on interim suspension.
The incident occurred on Oct. 15 when the victim was invited to a residence under false pretenses by a group of men who subsequently assaulted him. The victim was physically attacked, verbally abused, and forced to sit isolated in a chair, sustaining injuries including bruises and a broken rib. The attack lasted several minutes before he was allowed to leave.
The targeted victim sought medical attention and reported the assault to police, who viewed cellphone footage provided by witnesses. The offenders, including some linked to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, were identified and face criminal charges. An attorney for one of the initially arrested students has stated that his client will plead not guilty to the charges. The university president has condemned the incident as an “act of visceral hate” and has suspended all involved individuals pending further investigation. A community vigil and unity walk were held in response to the attack.
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