EASTON, Pa. — Four people were charged Tuesday in connection with a racially motivated attack at Lehigh University last week, Northampton County officials said.
- Four men were charged Tuesday with assault and other crimes in connection with an attack on the Lehigh University campus this month
- Police say the accused shouted a racial slur at the victim, then followed him back to his dorm room and assaulted him
- None of the men charged have ties to the university
Brandon John, 22; Michael Rosta, 21; Nabil Jameel, 22 and Cameron Graf, 22, all face charges of simple assault.
Graf and John also were charged with harassment, and Rosta faces additional burglary charges.
Most of the defendants reside in Hatfield, Montgomery County, though John is from East Norriton Township.
None of the defendants have any relationship to Lehigh University.
"Lehigh is grateful to the Lehigh University Police Department and the District Attorney's office for their prompt and thorough handling of this deplorable hate crime," Lehigh University spokeswoman Amy White wrote in a statement Tuesday.
"We support prosecution of this threat of violence and act of hate to the fullest extent of the law. We stand united in working together as a campus to eradicate hate and violence."
'Zero tolerence'
According to a statement from the Northampton County District Attorney’s office, the incident began in the early hours of April 15, when the victim, an unidentified Black Lehigh University student, was walking home to his dorm.
Near Packer Ave. and Webster St., someone from a passing car yelled a racial slur.
“Northampton County has zero tolerance for this type of lawless behavior, and the defendants will absolutely face the consequences for their senseless actions."Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck
The victim told police its driver eventually turned around and parked, when a “group of males” got out and started chasing him.
“One of the males struck the victim before he was able to get away and run back to his residence hall,” the statement says.
Investigators said the group of men eventually followed the victim back to his residence hall and began attacking him. When the victim locked himself inside a dorm room to escape, one of the men pulled out a gun and demanded he open the door.
Police later identified the driver as Brandon John, who later admitted to an altercation with the victim, the DA’s office said. Each defendant admitted to police their involvement in this incident, according to the office.
“Northampton County has zero tolerance for this type of lawless behavior, and the defendants will absolutely face the consequences for their senseless actions,” District Attorney Terry Houck said.
“Students have a right to feel safe when they are on or around campus.”
