Michigan State University police are investigating what they say is a “hate crime” that occurred on campus that was apparently perpetrated by five black men.

Cops say at 5:50 p.m. Monday, two people were assaulted by five men at the Main Library and “the motive behind the attack was the perpetrator’s sexual orientation bias,” WILX reports.

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The news station said “Officials believe all five suspects to be teenagers,” but did not give further specifics.

WLNS provided a description of the alleged attacks:

  • Suspect 1 teenage black male, wearing khaki shorts, a Mountain Dew t-shirt, and locs.
  • Suspect 2 teenage black male, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, and black pants.
  • Suspect 3 teenage black male wearing a white t-shirt, white shorts, and locs.
  • Suspect 4 teenage black male wearing red pants and black shirt, white sweatshirt.
  • Suspect 5 teenage black male wearing a white t-shirt, and green shorts.

“We don’t want any type of violence happening on our campus,” MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant told the State News. “We want we want anyone who’s on our campus to feel safe while they’re here, whether that’s because they’re a student, or because they’re a visitor on campus using the library. It’s important people feel safe at MSU.” 

“This case has been classified as a hate crime because the five young men made comments to the two MSU students regarding their sexual orientation as the altercation (assault) ensued,” MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore said in a letter to students. “This time to be supportive of all our students. As allies any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated.”

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According to Gore’s letter, the GSCC and Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions is offering “to provide support for our LGBTQIA2S+ community and Black students who may feel most directly impacted by this situation.”

“We recognize the impact this incident has had on our campus community, particularly among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer, intersex, asexual and two-spirit Spartans and allies, as well as our Black/African American community,” the letter said, according to the State News. “MSU stands with our LGBTQIA2S+ and Black Spartans and sends a clear message that violence is unacceptable.”