Unaffiliated fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi is under investigation after five Boston University students were found in their underwear and covered in condiments, according to a Boston Police Department report.
At 12:20 a.m. Monday morning, BPD responded to 24 Ashford St. to find one alleged victim crying, according to the report obtained by The Daily Free Press. He and the other four were left in the basement shivering after they were reportedly doused them with “condiment-type substances,” including fish sauce, chili sauce, flour and coffee grinds.
The victims, whose heads were shaved in some areas, were duct-taped wrist-to-wrist to form a human chain, the report stated. Officers found victims’ backs were covered in red welts and markings.
“It’s serious, it’s troubling and we’re going to investigate it,” said BU spokesman Colin Riley. “They’ll not only have to deal with Boston University, but if Boston Police charges them with anything, then they’re going to have to face that situation as well.”
The victims retrieved their clothes, which had been thrown into a big pile. The report stated officers offered them medical attention, which the victims declined.
Three alleged suspects tried to flee the house, according to the report. Three other suspects were found lying in bed, pretending to be asleep and others were found hiding in a closet.
The report listed that nine suspects declined to comment and later mentioned at least three additional people declined to comment. It is not clear at this time whether or not all of the alleged suspects are BU students.
The incident is described in the report as “possible hazing.”
Student organizations and individual students found in violation of Massachusetts hazing laws will be subject to university disciplinary actions, according to BU’s hazing policy.
Inter-Fraternity Council President Jimmy Czodli said the IFC and BU have not recognized AEPi as a student organization or fraternity since 1995.
“They are in no way, shape or form affiliated with us or the university,” Czodli, a College of Arts and Sciences senior, said. “The fraternities that are affiliated with the university do not condone, participate in or tolerate any form of hazing of any kind, especially the extreme nature that was depicted in that police report.”
Czodli said the IFC and the Panhellenic Council have taken measures to distance themselves from AEPi and do not allow events in conjunction with the fraternity.
Although BPD notified the BU Police Department and called in officers to assist if needed, BPD will handle the investigation, said BUPD Captain Robert Molloy.
As evidence, police confiscated a gray metal pipe with “BONGZILLA” on the side, the duct-tape around the students’ wrists and a red cup with sardines in it.
“It’s very troubling to know that these students are involved,” Riley said.
Members of AEPi have also been under investigation for involvement in a hazing incident with the sorority Sigma Delta Tau, Riley said.
SDT was suspended indefinitely from Greek Life and is under investigation by BU after sorority members were found intoxicated on the street and transported to the hospital in an alleged hazing incident, according to a March 20 DFP article.
This is an account occasionally used by the Daily Free Press editors to post archived posts from previous iterations of the site or otherwise for special circumstance publications. See authorship info on the byline at the top of the page.
