NEWARK, Del.- A Maryland man is behind bars after allegedly kidnapping a woman and violently assaulting her for hours.
Newark Police say a woman was at an East Main Street apartment around 4 a.m. on October 8th with 20-year-old Brandon Freyre.
Police say Freyre and the woman got into an argument, during which time Freyre damaged her property, hit her with blunt objects, and even spray painted her in the eyes. Police say Freyre told the victim he would kill her if she contacted police, and then strangled her to unconsciousness. The victim told officers that Freyre blocked the exit to the room and kept her there. After four hours, police say he threw her down the stairs, when she was able to run away and contact police.
Newark Police located Freyre at his apartment in Newark arrested him. He has been charged with:
- Kidnapping Second Degree
- Assault Second Degree
- Strangulation
- Terroristic Threatening
- Assault Third Degree
- Criminal Mischief
The incident sparked protests on the the University of the Delaware campus, as reported by the school's independent student newspaper, The Review.
On Tuesday, the University issued a statement, saying in part:
"The past few days have been difficult for the University of Delaware community. We are writing to acknowledge the harm inflicted, denounce the violence reported, and call for our community to come together and advance our goals of a campus climate free of all violence, including gender-based violence and violence against women."
The university also saying its followed its Code of Conduct that "allows the University to separate students from UD upon an arrest for a violent felony. As such, the University has followed this policy. In regards to the fraternal affiliation of the arrested individual, Kappa Delta Rho fraternity immediately reported the incident to the University, filed a report with the Office of Equity & Inclusion and initiated its own disciplinary process. Tonight the fraternity permanently revoked his membership."
According to the UD College Democrats, another protest is scheduled for Wednesday evening. Freyre is being held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in lieu of $38,100 cash bail.