Group allegedly cheers sexual assault at UChicago Frat House; Person of interest identified, banned

HYDE PARK — The University of Chicago said Tuesday it has identified and banned from campus a person of interest in the reported weekend sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman at an off-campus fraternity house.

“This identification was corroborated by key witness statements and video evidence from university cameras and license plate readers, all of which were shared with CPD by the Department of Safety and Security,” the university said in a community alert issued Tuesday.

A 21-year-old woman told authorities she was attending a party at Alpha Epsilon Pi House, 5625 S. University Ave. in Hyde Park around 1:50 a.m. Sunday when she was sexually assaulted by a man she did not know, according to Chicago police and a UChicago crime log.

A group of five men were “clapping and appearing to encourage activity inside” a fraternity’s bathroom, and the group attempted to stop two of the woman’s friends from entering, according to a police report obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. Block Club filed a public records request with the Chicago Police Department to obtain the report.

A police spokesperson told Block Club on Tuesday evening that there “is no one in custody at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.”

The 21-year-old woman was “not fully conscious” when she was found in the bathroom, while she and the suspect were partially undressed, the Sun-Times reported.

Eyewitnesses described the suspect as a South Asian man, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a dark complexion, short hair on the sides and longer, curly hair on top, according to a university alert issued Sunday.

An initial review of surveillance cameras in the area showed a person matching that description running away from the fraternity, the alert states.

A person resembling the suspect’s description was also filmed in a TikTok video, in which another person identifying themselves as the victim’s friend accuses her of assault and chases her near the house, the Chicago Maroon reported Tuesday.

Chicago police are leading the criminal investigation, while UChicago will investigate possible violations of school policy and disciplinary action, university officials said.

The issue of sexual assault linked to college fraternities has exploded recently as outcry has spread over the handling of allegations of gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024.

A spokesperson for Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters previously said the group was cooperating with the investigation and that the chapter had been instructed not to hold any events or programs during the investigation.

The fraternity’s UChicago chapter released a statement Monday saying its members were “deeply disturbed by the sexual assault that occurred” and that the party was shut down following the assault.

“We are working alongside authorities to provide additional details to the Chicago Police Department,” the statement from the Alpha Epsilon Pi Lambda chapter said. “…We will continue to support the investigation to the fullest extent possible and offer our support in any way possible.” »

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