Nanaimo RCMP arrest man for alleged homophobic attack at student party

Police in Nanaimo, B.C., have arrested a 19-year-old man allegedly involved in an assault on a gay student from Vancouver Island University.

Nanaimo RCMP said the suspect turned himself in to police on Tuesday around 10 p.m. PT. He had been identified early on in the investigation, a police spokesperson said.

"He was aware that we were looking for him," Const.Gary O'Brien told CBC News on Wednesday. "Whatwe are looking for is people who were at that party who have not come forward.

"We know there's individuals who saw or witnessed something;they may even have cellphone video."

The incident occurred at an off-campus party on Saturday. CBC News spoke to the alleged victim, Spencer Frey, 19.

Frey, who openly identifies asgay, saidhe and a friend attended a house party with other students, whereseveral attendees thereverbally and sexually assaulted him throughout the evening.

The assaults escalated, Frey said, when a third young man approached him, accusing him of staring and then punched Frey in the face when he denied the accusations.

Frey said he was knocked to the ground and sustained more blows to the face before he and his friend managed to leavewithout his shoes.

As a result of the assaults, Frey said he was left with a swollen face, black eye, injuries to his mouth and contusions on his neck where, he says, someone tried to strangle him with his collar.

Police said they're not ruling out there being additional suspects, and that they believe there is a video of the altercation.

VIU'sassociate vice president of student affairs,Irlanda Gonzalez Price, said earlier this weekthe school is taking the incident very seriously and is working with the RCMPto investigate what the university called a"hate crime."

"As of Sunday morning, VIU has been in contact with the student and family and are offering ongoing support," the statement read, adding that it's working with campus partners to "enhance training and awareness activities that help build allyship."

Nanaimo RCMP said the arrested suspect was served with an undertaking for one count of assault, but charges have not yet been approved by the Crown.

The suspect is not being named by police until charges are filed, buthe is expected to appear in NanaimoProvincial Court on May 24.