Police bodycam footage of shocking fraternity hazing reveals close look at disturbing acts inside house

Newly released bodycam footage has detailed the moment police officers shut down a hazing incident at the University of Iowa in November 2024.

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.

As per the University of Michigan, hazing includes the following acts without or without consent: "Physical injury; assault or battery; kidnapping or imprisonment; physical activity that knowingly or recklessly subjects a person or persons to an unreasonable risk of physical harm or to severe mental or emotional harm; degradation, humiliation, or compromising of moral or religious values; forced consumption of any substance; placing an individual in physical danger, which includes abandonment; and undue interference with academic endeavors."

The University of Iowa has reiterated that hazing is strictly prohibited at the educational establishment, while it's also prohibited under Iowa law.

The Old Capitol building on the University of Iowa campus (Getty Stock Photo)

Bodycam footage of the incident from over a year ago shows several young men standing in close proximity in a basement with their shirts off, many of which were blindfolded.

They appeared to be covered in various 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?"

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 in May 2025, which 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.