Twelve students from Salisbury University have been charged with a hate crime for allegedly luring and attacking a man because of his sexual orientation. The Salisbury Police Department says it is believed that a group of college-age men used a social media account to lure the victim to an off-campus apartment complex where they allegedly assaulted him.

Once the victim arrived and went inside, the suspects allegedly surrounded him and forced him to sit in a chair. SPD says the man was “kicked, punched, and spit on while the men called the victim derogatory names.”

Detectives say the victim said he tried to leave multiple times but was pushed to the floor and stopped from leaving. Once the victim was able to leave, he sought medical attention. Besides bruising throughout the body, the victim suffered a broken rib, according to SPD.

Police believe the victim was targeted due to his sexual orientation. They also say that video recordings were taken on a cellphone during the assault. All 12 have been linked to a fraternity at Salisbury University.

The men are also charged with assault, false imprisonment, and reckless endangerment. The arrested individuals have been identified as the following.

• 18-year-old Bennan Aird
• 20-year-old Ryder Baker
• 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
• 19-year-old Patrick Gutierrez
• 18-year-old Cameron Guy
• 19-year-old Jacob Howard
• 20-year-old Dylan Pietuszka
• 21-year-old Eric Sinclair