UChicago says it identified person of interest in reported sexual assault
Chicago police are investigating a reported assault near campus after the university said it identified a person of interest and barred them from campus.
By Frankie Delgado · News Reporter
2 min read
Chicago police are investigating a reported assault near the University of Chicago, while the university has issued a separate update saying it identified a person of interest. The UChicago sexual assault investigation has produced no publicly announced arrest or criminal charge.
Police said a 21-year-old woman reported that a male offender sexually assaulted her inside a residence in Hyde Park's 5600 block of South University Avenue at about 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. She transported herself to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment, ABC7 Chicago reported.
Area One detectives were investigating when police details were reported on Oct. 11. Chicago police did not immediately release further information, according to ABC7.
What did UChicago say about the person of interest?
In an Oct. 14 update, the University of Chicago said it had identified a person of interest connected to the report. The university said witness statements, university-camera footage and license-plate-reader video corroborated that person's identity, and its Department of Safety & Security gave the material to Chicago police.
The university did not publicly name the person because no charges had been filed, ABC7 reported. It said the person was not affiliated with the university and had been barred from campus, an administrative step rather than a criminal charge or police finding.
What happened at the fraternity house?
ABC7 reported that the allegation concerned a party at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house in Hyde Park early Sunday morning. A woman said someone intervened while she was being assaulted and that the alleged assailant left, according to the report.
The Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter said it was cooperating with the investigation. The chapter had also been directed not to hold events or programs while the investigation continued, ABC7 reported.
The available reports do not establish that anyone has been arrested, charged or identified publicly. They also do not say whether the university opened its own disciplinary proceeding.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.