Rutgers University Student Found Unresponsive at Frat House, Prompting Hazing Investigation

Police Car

After police found a 19-year-old university student unresponsive at his fraternity house at Rutgers University, they launched an official investigation into possible hazing.

The student has not yet been publicly identified, and he was said to be in critical condition as of Friday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The cause of the teenager's injuries has not yet been confirmed by the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD), the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, or the fraternity's national organization.

Police Investigate Possible Hazing at Rutgers University

Now, rumors are circulating around social media, claiming that the incident with the teenage university student was a result of hazing. There have been unverified comments made on Reddit that said the case involved waterboarding and electrocution.

RUPD officers were seen gathered in front of the house at 106 College Avenue on the College Avenue campus after the teen was found unresponsive. The fraternity's national organization issued a statement, saying that the chapter has been placed on interim suspension while they investigate whether or not hazing was actually involved, according to the Daily Targum.

President and CEO of Alpha Sigma Phi, Gordy Heminger, said that if it is determined that members actually hazed that evening, the chapter will immediately be closed. He added that any member who was directly or indirectly involved in the activities will be permanently expelled.

Additionally, the Rutgers Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (OFSA) has given the chapter a cease and desist order. Furthermore, the chapter is also on Social Probation until Nov. 3, and on Organizational Displinary Probation without Conditions until May 18, 2026.

Heminger said they are now gathering information as to what actually happened that night, noting that hazing has no part in the Alpha Sigma Phi experience. He added that the act is neither condoned nor tolerated, CBS News reported.

Figuring Out What Happened

He added that the fraternity regularly educates chapters and members regarding policies about hazing, noting that the Rugers' chapter received training on this just last month. Heminger said their thoughts and prayers are with the teenage victim and his family.

A spokesperson for the university did not immediately respond to questions for comment about the case. Similarly, University police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office did not share any possible updates regarding the investigation into the matter.

Now, the prosecutor's office is asking anyone in the public who may have information regarding what happened to reach out to detectives to help with the investigation, as per NBC News.

Originally published on parentherald.com