21-year-old woman reports sexual assault at fraternity house near University of Chicago as unidentified suspect flees and AEPi suspends events

A sexual assault of a 21 year old woman was reported at an off campus fraternity house near the University of Chicago campus. The case is under investigation by Chicago police. The victim said she was attacked during a party at the fraternity house in the Hyde Park neighbourhood.

The incident, reported in the early hours of Sunday, October 11, has prompted the fraternity chapter to suspend its activities as investigators work to identify the suspect. The case has also renewed attention to questions surrounding sexual misconduct and accountability at US college fraternities.

As reported by CBS Chicago, the incident took place at about 1:50 am, and happened at the address of the fraternity house of AEPi, located at 5625 S. University Avenue. It is stated that this woman was not associated with the university and she didn’t know the suspect.


The University of Chicago reported that there was an intervention at the scene, prompting the suspect to flee. The suspect is described as a “5’7” South Asian male with dark complexion, short hair on the sides and longer curly hair on top, wearing a black t-shirt, black jogging pants and white shoes,” according to the university’s alert.

The video surveillance recorded a man who fit the description escaping the scene. No one has been arrested as of Monday, October 12.

AEPi suspends events as police investigate

The University of Chicago Police Department arranged for the woman to be transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center and contacted the Chicago Police Department, which is leading the investigation.

AEPi said its Chicago chapter was cooperating with university administrators and law enforcement. It suspended all events and programmes pending the investigation’s outcome.

“Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity unconditionally opposes, and its conditions of membership absolutely prohibit, any conduct considered as ‘sexual harassment’ or ‘sexual assault,’” the organisation said in a statement quoted by CBS Chicago.

“While fraternities are not Recognized Student Organizations at UChicago and thus have no formal affiliation with the University, all University students are subject to University policies and disciplinary procedures,” the university said as reported by CNN. Investigators had not established whether the suspect was affiliated with the fraternity or the university.

The investigation in Chicago takes place against the backdrop of an escalating scandal at Cornell University in New York, concerning another case of sexual assault. The former student known as Jane Doe claims that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity at a party in October 2024.

Despite the fact that there is no reported link between the two cases, each of them highlights the importance of fraternities' and universities' response to sexual misconduct allegations.

The investigation in Chicago is still under way, and authorities are urging anyone who has any information about the incident or the suspect to contact Chicago police or the University of Chicago Police Department.