WSU Students Attacked for Sexual Orientation

Washington State University police are investigating a series of recent attacks which appear to be hate crimes. All three assaults happened on or close to campus.

“I heard someone shouting at me from behind,” says Kristopher Shultz, one of the victims.  “I turned around and got hit in the face and I don’t remember anything after that.”

Shultz is an openly gay student and was outside of the Scott-Comen residence hall on his way home from work this past Thursday when attacked.  Two days later, a student walking one block off campus on B Street was attacked and beaten by a group of people.

The most recent attack, which happened in a parking garage on campus, was against a transgender student.  Jackson Hogan was walking toward the elevator when a man yelled a transgender slur and grabbed him from behind.

“I hit the floor and he kicked me repeatedly,” Hogan said. “People I don’t even know recognize me and are so upset by my gender presentation that they feel they need to brutalize me, it’s terrifying.”

School administrators have sent e-mails to all students and faculty, offering escorts for anyone that feels uncomfortable walking across campus alone.