Gay Hate Crime Attack Turns Out To Be Self Inflicted

BOISE, IDAHO - The Boise State student who reported being beaten on the Greenbelt last week, now says the attack never happened.
The student, a 20-year-old man, first told police he had been targeted and beaten because he was gay. He made the claim a week ago, saying he had been attacked on the Greenbelt near the BSU campus. He said several other students beat him up.
He said made it clear they targeted him because of his sexual orientation.
In response to the report of an on-campus attack, BSU administration issued a safety alert. The student government organized a huge rally on Tuesday and this candlelight vigil was held Wednesday -- both to speak out against hate and show support for the alleged victim.
That student confessed to police today he wasn't beat up by others, but used sticks and his own fists to self-inflict his injuries. The 20-year-old had also initially reported his car was vandalized with anti-gay statements, but now police say all other evidence the student claimed was connected to the attack was fabricated.
Very soon after he reported being beaten up, the student sent out two e-mails asking the media not to give the incident any more attention, saying he “wanted it to go away.”
It may be too late for that. Boise police say they will turn over all the information they have to Ada County prosecutors, who could charge the student with filing a false police report.
Filing a false police report is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
NewsChannel 7 contacted many of the students who spoke openly at the rally and vigil this week, but they said they had no comment after learning the initial report was made up.
Boise police say they want to reassure the public and Boise State community that police patrol the Greenbelt near campus daily and safety is consistently a top priority.
Meanwhile, Boise State University released this statement today after learning the outcome of the police investigation:
This has been a difficult time for Boise State University. We are supporting the student any way we can with counseling services and through the help of his friends, family and university staff. We appreciate the work of the Boise Police Department. It is a relief to know that this assault did not take place on the Greenbelt near campus. The administration remains committed to a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The campus community and the Boise Police Department took this report seriously and investigated it as a suspected bias incident. In the past week, actions included issuing a safety alert, a rally on the Quad and a candlelight vigil about civility and tolerance, jointly organized by the students and the university. The administration recognizes that its efforts need to be ongoing to further develop a campus climate of respect and inclusiveness.
from KTVB