University of Chicago frat party sexual assault case: Person of interest identified, friends tell police 'men cheered and encouraged' the crime from outside the bathroom

A person of interest has been identified after a woman reported being sexually assaulted during a fraternity party near the University of Chicago. University officials said the man is neither a student nor affiliated with the institution and has been banned from campus. The reported assault happened early Sunday at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house in Hyde Park. Chicago police are investigating, while the fraternity's headquarters has directed the chapter to stop holding events. The university says witness accounts and camera footage helped establish the person's identity. His name has not been released, and no charges had been announced as of Wednesday.

What happened at the University of Chicago frat party?

The woman reported the assault at approximately 2 a.m. on October 11, according to university officials. A police report obtained by ABC station WLS identifies her as a University of Illinois Chicago student. She is not affiliated with the University of Chicago.

She told police she began feeling unwell during the party and went to a bathroom. A man who had repeatedly asked her to accompany him to a bedroom allegedly followed her.


According to the report, she lost consciousness and awoke during an assault. She said her condition prevented her from resisting.

What did her friends tell the police?

Friends said they tried to enter the bathroom but encountered resistance from men outside. The police report describes approximately three to five men 'cheering and appearing to encourage' what was happening inside. One allegedly grabbed a friend's hair as she attempted to enter.

When the friends got inside, they said they found the woman not fully conscious.

Those accounts remain allegations under investigation. The fraternity disputes suggestions that its members participated in the assault or encouraged it.

How was the person of interest identified?

The university said its public notice asked people with information to help identify the suspect. Officials said key witness statements corroborated the identification. Footage from university cameras and license plate readers provided supporting evidence.

The Department of Safety & Security shared the material with Chicago police.

University officials also said cameras recorded someone matching the suspect's description running from the house. Identifying a person of interest does not establish criminal guilt.

What has Alpha Epsilon Pi said?

Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters says it is cooperating with law enforcement and university administrators.

The fraternity said there was no evidence that members participated or knew about the alleged assault while it was happening. It also said it did not believe the men reportedly outside the bathroom were members.

The local chapter said a friend alerted a sober monitor. Members then offered assistance, and the party was shut down, according to its statement.

Headquarters has instructed the chapter not to hold events or programmes during the investigation.

What action is the university taking?

University police arranged medical care for the woman and contacted Chicago police, the university said.

Officials said fraternities are not formally recognised student organisations. Students nevertheless remain subject to university conduct rules.

The university is separately reviewing possible policy violations and says disciplinary proceedings will follow where warranted.

FAQs

Has anyone been charged for sexual assault near University of Chicago?

No charges had been announced as of Wednesday, October 14.

Is the person of interest a student?

The university says he is neither a student nor affiliated with the institution.