Six college students in Massachusetts were accused of luring an active duty service member to their campus under false pretenses, resulting in him being chased and assaulted. The incident was inspired by the TV show “To Catch a Predator” and apparently a popular trend on TikTok. Eleven Illinois teens were charged in a similar incident, highlighting the dangers of viral social media trends.
At Assumption University, there was no evidence that the man accused by the students of being a predator was seeking sex with a minor. However, he was chased by a group of over 25 people, with six students accused of kidnapping and conspiracy.
The victim, an active-duty military service member, was attending his grandmother’s funeral when he was lured to campus by a student he had been messaging on Tinder. Upon arrival, he was confronted and attacked by the students, who labeled him a predator based on false information. The victim was able to escape after being physically assaulted and had his car damaged.
The incident was reported to authorities and investigated, leading to criminal charges against the students involved. The university condemned the behavior and emphasized the importance of upholding its values.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of participating in harmful social media trends and the consequences of spreading misinformation. The victim’s father commended the authorities for their handling of the situation, while the students involved expressed regret for their actions.
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