Salisbury, Maryland – Authorities have apprehended three additional students from Salisbury University on charges related to a hate crime, following an incident where a man was reportedly lured to an off-campus residence, assaulted, and subjected to a homophobic slur.

With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals charged in connection to the October 15 incident has risen to 15, after twelve others were previously taken into custody earlier this month. The Salisbury Police Department, located in a city with a population of roughly 35,000 in Maryland’s Eastern Shore area, stated on Thursday that they do not anticipate further arrests in this case.

The individuals charged in this case face multiple allegations, including assault and false imprisonment, alongside the hate crime accusations for allegedly targeting the victim based on his sexual orientation. According to court documents, one defendant created a fraudulent profile on a dating app, luring the victim under the pretense of a sexual encounter with a minor, specifically a 16-year-old.

The victim’s age has not been specified in the legal documents. It should be noted that under Maryland law, the legal age of consent is generally 16.

Court documents do not indicate whether the two newest defendants have legal representation, while an attorney for the third defendant declined to provide comments regarding the unfolding situation.

The investigation by Salisbury Police commenced after two eyewitnesses informed campus authorities that they had viewed footage of the assault. Reports indicate that the victim sustained a broken rib and suffered from significant bruising as a result of the attack.

An attorney representing one of the previously arrested students has strongly challenged the classification of the attack as a hate crime, arguing that the victim did not report the incident as he was allegedly seeking to engage in sexual activities with a minor.

In response to the incident, Salisbury University officials have denounced the attack and committed to ensuring that members of the LGBTQ+ community feel secure on campus. To demonstrate support, university representatives organized a unity walk on Monday.