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 didnB次元官网网址檛 know a large portion of the people there.
B次元官网网址淭he first thing that set off my alarms was when I was just talking to my friend B次元官网网址� and this kid taps on my shoulder and then he says, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檙e disgusting.B次元官网网址� I said, B次元官网网址楨xcuse me?B次元官网网址� and then he said, B次元官网网址榊ou smell. YouB次元官网网址檙e disgusting,B次元官网网址� and then he proceeds to call me the B次元官网网址楩B次元官网网址� slur,B次元官网网址� said Frey, who is gay. B次元官网网址淚 retaliated with, I think I said, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檙e short,B次元官网网址� and I walked away. ItB次元官网网址檚 just like something I totally would say when I get called those names.B次元官网网址�
Spencer said he shrugged off the encounter, but about 30 minutes later he was physically accosted.
B次元官网网址淚 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,B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淗e said, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檝e been looking at me all night.B次元官网网址� I go, B次元官网网址楴obodyB次元官网网址檚 been looking at you,B次元官网网址� and then I donB次元官网网址檛 remember anything because thatB次元官网网址檚 when I got punched,B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淪he was pushing me out of the house and, apparently, I was screaming bloody murder at these people, of course defending myself,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 remember what I said at all, but apparently I was outside and B次元官网网址� they start to attack me again.B次元官网网址�
His attackers allegedly yelled homophobic slurs.
B次元官网网址淭hen I was pushed in the car and we drove away,B次元官网网址� 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 parentsB次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淭his horrific incident goes against everything VIU stands for and I know many in our community are upset by what has happenedB次元官网网址次元官网网址� Gonzalez-Price said in the statement. B次元官网网址淰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.B次元官网网址�
Reserve Const. Gary OB次元官网网址橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, confirmed an arrest has been made and police are continuing their investigation.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e treating it as a possible hate crime,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橞rien said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e asking for witnesses, anybody with information. We do not condone violence, especially violence associated with any sexual orientation. ItB次元官网网址檚 not acceptable.B次元官网网址�
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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