The University of Chicago has identified a person of interest in connection with a reported sexual assault that occurred at a fraternity house near the campus on October 11. According to a notification sent to students on Tuesday, the individual is not affiliated with the University and has been banned from campus. The Chicago Police Department is currently investigating the incident, and charges have not yet been filed, which prevents the university from disclosing the person's name.
The alleged assault took place at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house in Hyde Park during the early hours of Sunday morning. Mia Lara, a friend of the victim, reported that she lost track of her friend after they had been dancing and the victim began kissing a man. Lara later found her friend in a bathroom, where she claimed the victim was in distress, stating, "Make it stop" and "Get me out of here."
Lara confronted the man outside the fraternity house about the incident, to which he allegedly responded, "She wanted to."
The University of Chicago noted that it does not have an official affiliation with Greek life, but fraternities must adhere to the school's regulations. A spokesperson for the fraternity's national organization stated that the suspect was not a member of the chapter and emphasized that there is no evidence that any fraternity members were involved or aware of the incident while it occurred. Jonathan Pierce, a spokesperson, expressed hope that the victim could find solace in the identification of the alleged assailant and that justice would be served.