Police investigate report of sexual assault at a fraternity party near
the University of Chicago
[October 15, 2026]
By CYBELE MAYES-OSTERMAN and RUSS BYNUM
CHICAGO (AP) — Police are investigating a woman's report that she was
sexually assaulted during a fraternity party near the University of
Chicago campus, an allegation that comes at a time of heightened
awareness of sexual violence on college campuses.
Chicago police said no one had been charged Wednesday, a day after
university officials posted an alert saying that a person of interest
had been identified.
The Chicago case comes amid an uproar over Cornell University's handling
of a woman's allegations that she was drugged and gang raped by
fraternity members in 2024. A campus investigation led to internal
disciplinary action by the university, but no criminal charges were ever
filed.
The University of Chicago, a top-ranked U.S. research school with an
enrollment of 18,000 students, said in a statement that a woman reported
being sexually assaulted early Sunday during a party at the Alpha
Epsilon Pi fraternity house.
The university said the perpetrator fled the house after being
confronted by another person.
The 21-year-old woman reported the assault to police and went to a
hospital for treatment, according to Chicago police. The university said
she is not a student.
Chicago police did not immediately provide a copy of the incident report
on the alleged attack when The Associated Press requested it Wednesday.
The Chicago Sun-Times, citing the police report, said the woman told
police she had been drinking and dancing at the party before she began
feeling unwell. The Sun-Times said the report stated two of the woman's
friends then found her “not fully conscious” in a bathroom with a man
and that both were partially undressed.
The friends told police that to get into the bathroom, they had to force
their way through several men who were “cheering and appearing to
encourage the activity inside,” the Sun-Times reported.
Alpha Epsilon Pi said no fraternity members took part in the alleged
attack or encouraged it. The fraternity's University of Chicago chapter
said in a statement that its members rushed to help the woman after
being alerted by one of her friends and ended the party immediately.
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The AEPi fraternity house near the University of Chicago campus in
Chicago, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, where an alleged sexual assault
was reported at a weekend party. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
“There is no evidence at all that any AEPi members participated in
this assault or were aware of it while it was transpiring,” Jonathan
Pierce, a spokesperson for the fraternity's national organization,
said in a statement Wednesday.
The fraternity said the perpetrator was chased out of the house and
was recorded by cameras while fleeing.
University officials said the person of interest who has been
identified is not a student or otherwise affiliated with the school.
The Cornell case came to light last month after a woman filed a
lawsuit against the university and seven fraternity members, saying
she was repeatedly assaulted at a fraternity house in October 2024.
She went to campus police three weeks later and gave a detailed
interview, but local prosecutors never pursued charges. The men she
accused have denied wrongdoing.
Cornell announced Tuesday it's banning parties at fraternity houses
until next year. The university said it will include New York State
Police in investigations of campus sexual assaults.
Fraternities have also been under scrutiny at the University of
Arizona, which suspended fraternity activities earlier this month
following multiple reports of assault, hazing and other misconduct.
___
Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia.
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