Police say the assault took place on Sunday night during a party at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, after the group posted a photograph on Instagram. A 21‑year‑old woman was found in a basement bathroom with a friend, Mia Lara, both partially undressed. The woman claimed that a non‑student man had forced her into the room, held her wrists, and shouted “when’s my turn” while other men cheered outside.
The University of Chicago has stated that the survivor is not a student and that the alleged perpetrator fled the house after being confronted by a second individual. The fraternity’s national spokesperson, Jonathan Pierce, said no members participated or encouraged the assault, and that the house’s security footage captured the suspect running from the premises.
Chicago police have not filed charges yet but have identified the suspect as a person of interest. The university has posted an alert on its website, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of campus fraternities after the Cornell University investigation, which led to a ban on parties for the next academic year and a lawsuit alleging gang rape.
The victim reported the assault to police and went to a hospital for treatment. Her friend Mia Lara told the New York Post she found the suspect shouting “I want to go in” and chased him outside.
The university has suspended the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter pending a full investigation, and the case is expected to be heard by the Cook County Criminal Court next month.