Nanaimo Rcmp Arrest Man For Alleged Homophobic Attack At Student Party

Nanaimo RCMP said the suspect was handed over to police on Tuesday around 22:00 PT. He was identified early in the investigation, a police spokesman said. “He knew we were looking for him,” said Const. Gary O’Brien told CBC News on Wednesday. “What we are looking for are people who were at this party and have not come forward. “We know there are people who have seen or seen something; they may even have cell phone videos.” The incident took place at an off-campus party on Saturday. CBC News spoke with the alleged victim, Spencer Frey, 19 years old. Frey, who openly states that he is gay, said that he and a friend attended a party at home with other students, where several attendees verbally and sexually assaulted him throughout the night. The attacks escalated, Frey said, when a third young man approached him, accusing him of staring and then punching Frey in the face when he denied the allegations. Frey said he was hit on the ground and received more blows to the face before he was able to leave with his friend without his shoes. Vancouver Island University student Spencer Frey said he was the victim of an unprovoked homophobic attack at an off-campus party late Saturday night. (Submitted by Spencer Frey)
As a result of the attacks, Frey said he was left with a swollen face, black eye, mouth injuries and bruises on his neck, where, he says, someone tried to strangle him with his collar. Police said they did not rule out the possibility of additional suspects and that they believed there was video of the altercation. VIU Vice President for Student Affairs Irlanda Gonzalez Price said earlier this week that the school was taking the incident very seriously and was working with the RCMP to investigate what the university called a “hate crime”. “Since Sunday morning, VIU has been in contact with the student and family and offers ongoing support,” the statement said, adding that it is working with campus partners to “strengthen training and awareness-raising activities that help alliance building “. The Nanaimo RCMP said the arrested suspect had committed himself to an assault charge, but the charges have not yet been approved by the Crown. The suspect is not named by the police until charges are brought, but he is expected to appear in the Nanaimos District Court on May 24.