CU students apprehended in connection with one case, Boulder PD is still seeking help with the second
Two bias-motivated crimes during the weekend made CU and other community members re-establish their stance of no tolerance toward hate crimes, even if the alleged perpetrators are CU students.
On the morning of March 11, between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., a man was assaulted on 10th Street and University Avenue after being called racially derogatory names. The identities of the assailants are unknown, and they have not been apprehended, according to a press release from the Boulder Police Department.
On Sunday at 12:30 a.m. another assault took place at 10th and Pearl Streets. A 23-year-old homosexual man was assaulted after being called a derogatory name because he had his arm around his 19-year-old friend, Boulder police spokeswoman Julie Brooks said.
Two alleged assailants were later apprehended in connection to the crime. Senior biology major Adam Perez and junior anthropology major Eric Schorling, both 21, were arrested on suspicion of the assault.
CU and others said the Boulder community will stand in resistance of hate crimes by having no tolerance.
“We’re concerned whether this is a pattern or not, and it offends the entire community because there is no legitimate reason for these incidents to have occurred,” said CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard. “They make it hard for the gay members of the community to feel safe.”
Perez and Schorling were both served a summary of suspension notice today for their possible involvement in the assault. Even though the students have not been convicted of the crime, CU is quick to respond to any involvement in bias-motivated assaults. Hilliard said the burden of proof is not as high as in a court of law.
“Due to what they are accused of, within the CU Boulder Judicial affairs (office), they can be dealt with in the CU administration,” Hilliard said. “Their conduct was outrageous, and students should know that they are responsible for their conduct on and off campus.”
Boulder Police Department spokeswoman Julie Brooks would not say whether the sudden rash of bias-motivated crimes is represents an increasing trend, but it is still a concern for police.
“It is hard to say if there is an incline or decline of these types of crimes, but a lot is driven by local or national events. However, right now no specific group is being generally targeted,” Brooks said.
The victims in both crimes had injuries, and the charge in both will be second-degree assault. Whether the crimes are bias-motivated or not, Brooks said the outcome will be strict.
“Of course the crimes were of concern, but within the past few years, state legislators have taken steps to modify the penalty,” Brooks said.
Boulder Pride, a gay-pride organization, is again showing its support to the victim on Sunday night’s assault by releasing a statement on its Web site.
“Boulder Pride is saddened by the attack of two gay men,” the release said. “We applaud the quick action of the Boulder Police for arresting the attackers and charging them with bias-motivated crimes.”
The CU community and Boulder will work together for quick action against bias-motivated crimes, Hilliard said.
“We are supportive of any measures to make our community more supportive and accepting,” Hilliard said. “In community crimes like this, it is a challenge to all people to step up and say, ‘No you’re not going to do this in my town.’ And I think that is what the community is saying.”
Contact Campus Press staff writer Renee Tavera at renee.tavera@thecampuspress.com.
