Police: Assault at off-campus UD party could lead to hate crime charges

An assault at an off-campus party near the University of Delaware Friday night could lead to hate crime charges, according to Newark Police Department.

Officers were called about 6 p.m. Friday to the first block of North Chapel Street for a report of an assault, said Gerald Bryda, a spokesman with Newark police. There, police found a 23-year-old man suffering from a broken leg, Bryda said.

Through the investigation, police learned that the man had been assaulted by several people at the party, Bryda said. During the assault, derogatory comments about the man's sexual orientation were made, Bryda said.

The investigation is ongoing, Bryda said. Though it is classified as an assault investigation, Bryda said depending on what comments were made, hate crime charges are possible.

The reported assault prompted a response from University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis late Monday night.

A post shared by University of Delaware (@udelaware) on Apr 16, 2018 at 7:59pm PDT

In a letter addressed to the UD community, Assanis discussed the assault and the derogatory comments. In the letter, he said the people involved in the assault are "believed to be UD students."

"This kind of reprehensible behavior is not tolerated at the University of Delaware," Assanis wrote. "We will take all appropriate measures in the student conduct process to ensure any offenders are held accountable for their actions."

The LGBTQ community immediately responded on social media to Assanis' letter, saying that the school took too long to respond to the assault and fails to keep students who identify as LGBTQ safe.

In light of recent events, we at speqtrum want you all to know that we’re here for you.
Here to make you feel loved.
Feel safe.
Feel wanted.
Feel empowered.
Never forget your life matters and we’ll always support our community.
— speQtrum (@speqtrumud) April 17, 2018

To the UD frat boys who committed that cruel and disturbing assault fueled by homophobic hatred: we will not rest until justice names you and Takes. You. All. Down. When it does I hope you are not shown a single shred of mercy. I hope guilt finds its way to you and stays forever.
— Anki (@rkam_k) April 17, 2018

I’ve never felt more unsafe to be an openly queer person at my university than I have right now. I hate being reminded that the a good portion of the world still very much hates us and there are those who will go to extreme lengths to hurt us because of our existence as LGBT ppl
— ✨Max✨ (@mygimickisspace) April 17, 2018

Read the full letter from UD President Dennis Assanis below:

Dear UD community,

Newark Police are investigating an assault that happened Friday at an off-campus party
in which a local man was injured. Witnesses reportedly heard some of the people involved — who are believed to be UD students — use discriminatory slurs related to sexual identity during the incident. UD Police are working with Newark Police to gather more information on this investigation.

This kind of reprehensible behavior is not tolerated at the University of Delaware. We will take all appropriate measures in the student conduct process to ensure any offenders are held accountable for their actions.

The offensive language reportedly used in the incident stands in stark contrast to UD’s
core values (www.udel.edu/values) of diversity and equality. Our community is better than this, and I ask you to join me in our ongoing commitment to cultivate a culture of inclusion and respect at the University of Delaware.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Newark Police at 302-
366-7111. Students who may be feeling anxious can contact the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) at 302-831-2141 or www.udel.edu/counseling. The CCSD is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The UD Helpline is also available 24 hours a day at 302-831-1001.

Dennis Assanis,

President

Newark police ask anyone with information to contact them at (302) 366-7111.