The Confrontation
A viral video is making rounds, showing 21-year-old Mia Lara aggressively confronting a man she claims sexually assaulted her friend at an Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) party in Hyde Park. In the footage, Lara is seen shouting at the man, "I walk in there, you f—king took her clothes off!" The man responds by claiming, "She wanted to," before Lara appears to attempt a slap.
Lara told CNN that the drama began early Sunday after she, her friend, and two other girls attended the party. She alleges that she later found her friend slumped on a bathroom floor, partially clothed, while other men cheered outside the door. After she pulled her friend out, Lara claims she spotted the man she believed to be the assailant laughing with a group nearby and confronted him.
Official Responses
The University of Chicago stated Tuesday that they have identified a "person of interest" in the case, though they have not released a name while the police investigation remains active. While the man is not a student, the university has banned him from campus. The school also clarified that it does not formally affiliate with Greek life organizations.
Jonathan Pierce, a spokesman for the national AEPi organization, maintains that the alleged attacker was not a member of the fraternity. Pierce stated that the frat members offered assistance once they became aware of the incident, adding, "There is no evidence at all that any AEPi members participated in this assault or were aware of it while it was transpiring."
Why it matters
This incident is currently under police investigation. A police report noted that the victim reported feeling unwell and "blacking out" after consuming alcohol at the event. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can reach out for support at the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
