A suspect has been arrested and a Nanaimo student is recovering from injuries and trauma sustained in an alleged homophobic assault.
The incident happened at a house party early Sunday morning, March 27, following a basketball game at Vancouver Island University.
Spencer Frey suffered facial bruising and a possible fracture to his left cheek after he was punched multiple times by several assailants.
Frey, an interior design student at VIU, said he felt uneasy when he arrived at the party sometime before 1 a.m. The location was farther from the campus than he and his female friend would normally go and he didn91裸聊视频檛 know a large portion of the people there.
91裸聊视频淭he first thing that set off my alarms was when I was just talking to my friend 91裸聊视频� and this kid taps on my shoulder and then he says, 91裸聊视频榊ou91裸聊视频檙e disgusting.91裸聊视频� I said, 91裸聊视频楨xcuse me?91裸聊视频� and then he said, 91裸聊视频榊ou smell. You91裸聊视频檙e disgusting,91裸聊视频� and then he proceeds to call me the 91裸聊视频楩91裸聊视频� slur,91裸聊视频� said Frey, who is gay. 91裸聊视频淚 retaliated with, I think I said, 91裸聊视频榊ou91裸聊视频檙e short,91裸聊视频� and I walked away. It91裸聊视频檚 just like something I totally would say when I get called those names.91裸聊视频�
Spencer said he shrugged off the encounter, but about 30 minutes later he was physically accosted.
91裸聊视频淚 was talking to one of my other friends and I feel a squeeze on my butt, a really long squeeze, and then I turn around and some kid is licking his lips,91裸聊视频� Frey said.
He and his friend decided it was time to go, but as they were getting ready to leave another person aggressively approached Frey.
91裸聊视频淗e said, 91裸聊视频榊ou91裸聊视频檝e been looking at me all night.91裸聊视频� I go, 91裸聊视频楴obody91裸聊视频檚 been looking at you,91裸聊视频� and then I don91裸聊视频檛 remember anything because that91裸聊视频檚 when I got punched,91裸聊视频� Frey said.
He was told afterward that he raised his wine bottle to try and defend himself, it was ripped out of his hand and then about four or five people piled on him and started punching him in the face. His friend started screaming and some party-goers tried to help while others allegedly tried to join in the assault.
91裸聊视频淪he was pushing me out of the house and, apparently, I was screaming bloody murder at these people, of course defending myself,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 remember what I said at all, but apparently I was outside and 91裸聊视频� they start to attack me again.91裸聊视频�
His attackers allegedly yelled homophobic slurs.
91裸聊视频淭hen I was pushed in the car and we drove away,91裸聊视频� he said.
Frey is in the final weeks of his second year of studies at VIU. The university arranged for him to complete his studies online, which he is now doing from his parents91裸聊视频� home in Chandler, Ariz.
Irlanda Gonzalez-Price, VIU associate vice-president of student affairs, issued a statement about the incident Tuesday, March 29, saying the university is taking the matter seriously and is offering counselling support to students and staff who need it.
91裸聊视频淭his horrific incident goes against everything VIU stands for and I know many in our community are upset by what has happened91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Gonzalez-Price said in the statement. 91裸聊视频淰IU stands for equity and inclusion. I reiterate that any student or employee found to be involved in incidents of racism or discrimination will be subject to the full extent of our policies and procedures. I know there are many allies on this campus and I encourage you to reach out and check in with one another.91裸聊视频�
Reserve Const. Gary O91裸聊视频橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, confirmed an arrest has been made and police are continuing their investigation.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e treating it as a possible hate crime,91裸聊视频� O91裸聊视频橞rien said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e asking for witnesses, anybody with information. We do not condone violence, especially violence associated with any sexual orientation. It91裸聊视频檚 not acceptable.91裸聊视频�
Anyone was at the party who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2022-10317.
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