The University of Chicago has taken a significant step in an ongoing investigation of a sexual assault incident. On Wednesday morning, the university announced it identified a person of interest linked to the assault at a fraternity house over the weekend.
Authorities identified the individual through witness accounts and video footage, later shared with the Chicago Police Department. The person is neither a student nor affiliated with the university but now faces a campus ban. Multiple individuals related to the incident have also been banned. As of Thursday morning, authorities had not taken anyone into custody.
The incident occurred at the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity house, located at 5625 S. University Ave., near UChicago’s Main Quad in Hyde Park. A 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted in a bathroom during a fraternity party at 1:50 a.m. on Sunday. According to the university, the woman is not tied to the institution.
Unknown to her attacker, the incident ended when an unidentified individual intervened, causing the suspect to flee. Surveillance cameras recorded a person matching the description escaping from the fraternity house.
A University of Chicago police officer, flagged for assistance, quickly arranged medical transport for the victim to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Students shared with CBS News Chicago the atmosphere at Fraternity Row on University Avenue during “rush season,” a period marked by increased fraternity and sorority recruitment. The season typically results in numerous parties and large gatherings.
Footage circulating online shows a friend of the victim confronting a man alleged to be the attacker. In the video, the friend claims the victim was drugged, incapacitated, and assaulted. The recording was captured near the Henry Crown Field House on 56th Street.
CBS News Chicago was still working to independently verify the identities and involvement of those captured on video.
Jillian Furey, a clinical services supervisor at Resilience, a rape crisis center, stresses that sexual violence on campuses is a widespread issue. Many survivors have to endure trauma, face perpetrators in court, and contend with a low conviction rate.
University students are voicing concerns about fraternity safety. One student questioned the continued existence of fraternities, while others worried about the possible damage to reputations.
This incident coincides with separate allegations at Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity, increasing scrutiny on fraternity culture.
The national Alpha Epsilon Pi organization has advised the local chapter to suspend events while cooperating with the investigation. The fraternity has expressed empathy for the victim, while no charges have been filed yet against the person of interest.