UPDATE: UCSC assault classified as hate crime

UPDATE: 11/17/16 10:50 P.M.

After additional investigation, the UC Santa Cruz Police Department has classified the Nov. 11 aggravated assault as a hate crime.

Investigators say that at least one of the suspects yelled homophobic slurs because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation of the victim.

Police are now asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects who may be associated with the case.

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U.C. Santa Cruz police are looking for three men who allegedly assaulted a woman Friday night on campus.

According to campus police, the three men, all in their early 20s, followed the female student as she walked on a foot path near the Quarry Plaza. The woman told police the men made offensive comments before one man struck her in the head with a rock. She was able flee the area and was treated for minor injuries by the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

The assault is being investigated as a possible hate crime, because of actual or perceived protected characteristics of the victim.

The three suspects are all described as males in their early 20s. One was unshaven, wearing sweatpants (color unknown) and a dark baseball cap. A second suspect was wearing a light colored sweatshirt. There was no additional information on the third suspect.

KION’s Brandon Castillo is covering the story. Look for his report tonight at 5 and 6.