Six students at the University of Akron are facing charges of hazing and assault after a violent initiation incident earlier this year.
Suspects Steven Miles Pitts, Rinaldo Darius Allen Jr., Jlani D. Pryce, Chauncey St. Clair Gilliam, Clive Ennin and chapter President Traevon D. Leak– all members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.– have been issued warrants for their arrests and students and staff of the university have been notified.
According to an investigative report, an anonymous source tipped off police that the 21-year-old victim had been severely beaten with a paddle and admitted to a local hospital back in January. Over a three-week period, the pledging process reportedly got so intense that the chapter president was forced to step in.
Authorities say the victim was too afraid to come forward and detail the incident.
“We are deeply disturbed and saddened when any of our students suffer harm, and we will continue to support any victims in this pending case,” the university said in a statement to WKYC News.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned soon.