Monday, July 8, 2024

Four minors charged in MSU library hate crime

July 5, 2024
<p>Outside the MSU Main Library on Aug. 26, 2021.</p>

Outside the MSU Main Library on Aug. 26, 2021.

Four minors have been charged with two counts of aggravated assault each in connection to a hate crime that occurred at the Michigan State University library in April, according to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

Because all suspects are under eighteen, officials did not release the names of the individuals.

A group of non-MSU affiliated suspects assaulted two MSU students based on sexual orientation bias on April 15, according to a campus-wide email sent out at the time by MSU’s Department of Public Safety.

Campus police submitted an investigatory report to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office on May 9.

The two victims of the attack, Bradley Cooper and his boyfriend Ryon Baldwin-Williams, previously told the State News they were studying at the library when a group began insulting their appearances. The altercation quickly turned into an assault, leaving Cooper and Baldwin-Williams with significant injuries.

Baldwin-Williams said he had to get a splint on his finger because he fractured a bone and that the suspects shoved his earring into his ear. 

Cooper said that both of their shoulders and neck were sore and bruised, and that they had bruises around their eyes. They both spent nine hours at the emergency room.

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Four minors charged in MSU library hate crime” on social media.