Person of interest identified in sexual assault at frat party near University of Chicago, school says
A person of interest has been identified in an alleged sexual assault that took place at a fraternity near the University of Chicago, according to university officials.
"The individual is not a University of Chicago student or affiliated with the University. The University banned him from campus," the university wrote in a statement Tuesday.
At around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, a woman not affiliated with the university reported that she was sexually assaulted during a party at a fraternity house, according to the university.
While she was allegedly sexually assaulted in the bathroom of a fraternity house near the University of Chicago, several men stood outside the door "cheering and appearing to encourage the activity inside," according to a police report obtained by ABC station WLS.
The alleged victim is a student at the University of Illinois-Chicago who told police she arrived at the fraternity party Saturday night and drank three cans of an alcoholic beverage. Her friend reported that she appeared "significantly more intoxicated than expected," according to the police report.
The alleged victim told police she was dancing between two men when one of them asked repeatedly for her to come with him to his bedroom. She refused each time, the police report said. She started feeling unwell and left the dance floor for the bathroom, where the alleged perpetrator followed her, according to the report.
According to the police report, the woman said she lost consciousness and, when she came to, she said she discovered a man engaged in a sex act with her and parts of her clothing unfastened or removed. She said she was unable to resist "due to her altered state of consciousness."
Two of her friends demanded to be let into the bathroom, but as they attempted to open the door, one of the men allegedly grabbed one of the friends by the hair to prevent her from entering, the police report said, noting there were "approximately three to five males standing outside the bathroom door cheering and appearing to encourage the activity inside."
When friends finally managed to get inside the bathroom, they said they found the alleged victim "not fully conscious" and the alleged perpetrator standing over her "with his pants down and genitals exposed." He allegedly stated, "that everything was 'cool,' as though nothing wrong had occurred," the police report said.
An individual was interviewed about the assault, and the suspect fled the house, according to the university.
"The University's public notice about the report of sexual assault the day it happened encouraged others with knowledge of the events to help identify a suspect. This identification has been corroborated by key witness statements and video evidence from University cameras and license plate readers, all of which has been shared with CPD by the Department of Safety & Security," the university said in a statement.
In a statement to ABC News, Alpha Epsilon Pi Headquarters said it has been working with the chapter since it became aware of the incident and is cooperating with university administration and local law enforcement on the investigations.
The fraternity said its members "passed along a lot of information and evidence to the police to aid their investigation," in a statement Wednesday.
"We are pleased that the alleged assailant has been identified and hope that the victim can find some solace in knowing that justice is being done," the fraternity said.
The fraternity also said there is no evidence that any of its members participated in the alleged assault of "were aware of it while it was transpiring."
"There has been a story out that there were people outside of a door 'cheering on' the attack and we do not believe that any of those people were AEPi members," the fraternity said.
"In fact, when AEPi members (there were several “sober monitors” during the party, including the chapter’s safety officer) became aware of the victim’s report, they offered assistance by providing food and water and even loaned a shirt to the victim as she reported being cold while she waited outside for emergency response," the fraternity said.
The local chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi claims it “became aware of the situation through one of our sober monitors being called over by the victim’s friend.”
"We immediately responded and multiple members of the fraternity, including our risk manager, arrived at the scene, providing assistance to the victim," the chapter said in a statement Monday.
The chapter goes on to say the party was shut down immediately and that they support the investigation to the fullest extent.
"We are deeply disturbed by the sexual assault … we condemn this violence unequivocally," the chapter said.
Cameras in the area showed an individual fitting the description running from the house, according to the university.
The university said it would not release the name of the person of interest as the Chicago Police Department's investigation continues.
University police arranged for the alleged victim to be transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she received care and university police contacted the Chicago Police Department, the university said.
"This is deeply concerning for the University community. The safety and well-being of our students and all who come to our community is our highest priority. Many people at the University are working to support the victim and assist CPD in its response," the university said in a statement Sunday.
"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 remains committed to addressing sexual misconduct cases that occur, to imposing disciplinary consequences as warranted, and to continually improving efforts to prevent sexual misconduct," the university said.
The chapter has been told not to hold any events or programs while the investigation continues, according to Alpha Epsilon Pi Headquarters.
"Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity unconditionally opposes, and its conditions of membership absolutely prohibit, any conduct considered as 'sexual harassment' or 'sexual assault.' This includes such behaviors as repeated propositioning, coercive pressure, unwanted touching and physical violence," the fraternity headquarters said in a Monday statement.
The Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
