Callum Jones
A 2024 hazing incident at the University of Iowa is back in the headlines after bodycam footage was released.
The footage, which was released by police and published on 'The CrimePiece' YouTube channel, captured the moment officers discovered 56 blindfolded people in the basement of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house.
The University of Iowa has reiterated that hazing - which sees new members of a fraternity subjected to humiliating and sometimes dangerous ordeals - is strictly prohibited at the educational establishment. It's also prohibited under Iowa law.
Bodycam footage of the incident from over a year ago shows several young men standing in close proximity in a basement, many of whom were blindfolded and shirtless.
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They appeared to be covered in various white, brown and yellow substances, which are unknown at this time.
In the video, one officer could be heard saying: "Does anyone want to be forthcoming about what’s going on? Anyone? Because you gotta see it from my perspective of, what the f**k did I just walk into?"
A long-winded exchange between police and those involved in the fraternity then played out, as officials attempted to gather information on what has been happening.
However, those involved weren't much help to the police.
"This stops here, guys," one officer could be heard saying before adding: "This is the police department. This stops here. Who is in charge?"
He then told the blindfolded men: "How about we start cleaning this up? Everyone take their blindfolds off."
The officer then continued: "I’ve already given multiple commands to clear the room and get out of here, but no one's moving. Clearly, they’re taking this pretty serious."
Police later spoke to the individual responsible for the fraternity outside of the building.
"We responded to a fire alarm, we were trying to get people to evacuate because of the fire alarm, but from my understanding, you guys refused," an officer could be heard saying.
"Then, on top of that, we find this hazing event, we want to speak to somebody. Nobody knows anything, nobody knows anyone. Nobody knows what’s going on. This is going in a report. The University of Iowa is going to see this."
The Alpha Delta Phi fraternity was suspended from the University of Iowa in May 2025. The suspension will be in place for the next four academic years.
Joseph Gaya, who was not a student at the University of Iowa, was the only individual arrested and was later charged with interference with official acts, Newsweek reports.
However, these charges were later dropped.