Five students from Assumption University, a private Catholic college in Worcester, Massachusetts, are facing serious charges after allegedly taking part in a disturbing incident inspired by a TikTok trend. The group is accused of luring a man to their campus, falsely accusing him of trying to meet an underage girl, and then physically attacking him while recording the encounter.
The charges, filed on December 4, include kidnapping and conspiracy for all five students, who are between 18 and 19 years old. One of them faces an additional charge of witness intimidation, while another is charged with assault and battery using a dangerous weapon. The incident reportedly took place on October 1 on the university’s campus.
According to police reports, the students used Tinder to lure the victim, trying to imitate a viral TikTok trend where people attempt to “catch predators” by setting up stings. The victim was invited to a lounge in the university’s Alumni Hall. Once there, a group of students appeared from hidden spots, grabbed him, and started accusing him of being a predator. The victim told police that the group suddenly surrounded him, calling him a pedophile and claiming he was interested in 17-year-old girls.
Fearing for his safety, the man managed to escape and ran to his car. However, the students reportedly chased him down and attacked him before he could drive away and call the police. He later described the experience to authorities, saying it felt like an ambush.
Police say the claims against the man were completely false. One of the female students had told authorities that “a creepy guy” came to campus looking to meet an underage girl. However, investigators found this to be a lie, concocted to justify the group’s actions. Court documents reveal the students aimed to mimic TV-style stings, similar to a show hosted by Chris Hansen, where individuals are confronted for allegedly trying to meet minors.
One of the defendants admitted to police that their plan went too far. “It was like the Chris Hansen videos, where you catch a predator and either call the police or handle it yourself,” the student reportedly said, adding, “but this got out of hand.”
The victim, who was in Worcester for his grandmother’s funeral, told police he was using Tinder simply to meet people and lift his spirits. One of the female students invited him to campus, pretending she wanted to meet up, which led to the violent incident.
The university released a statement condemning the students’ actions, calling them “abhorrent” and completely against the values of Assumption University. They emphasized their commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone on campus, including visitors. The university’s public safety team worked with local authorities to investigate the incident and bring charges against the students involved.
The university spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing disciplinary process but reiterated that violence and misconduct have no place in their community. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of social media-inspired vigilantism and the need for individuals to rely on law enforcement rather than taking matters into their own hands.
