TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - An arrest warrant has been filed in the battery of a student at a now sanctioned FSU fraternity's house.
On April 18, the Tallahassee Police Department began investigating how a 20-year-old Florida State student wound up in a hospital with a skull fracture and two brain bleeds.
Through an intensive joint investigation with the Florida State University Police Department, investigators have developed probable cause to charge 20-year-old Oliver Walker.
Probable cause documents say that Walker injured the 20-year-old victim during a Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity meeting at FSU on April 9.
During the Fall 2017 semester, Alpha Epsilon Pi along with Chi Phi Fraternity, were suspended after a Greek Conduct Board review. Eventually, the sanctions were changed to a probationary status. However, the sanctions led the Alpha Epsilon Pi national office to take administrative actions at the FSU chapter.
Documents say one of the actions taken was a member review, resulting in the removal of approximately two thirds of the chapter's members. The victim and Walker were two of the members removed. In fact, it was revealed that Walker was a member of the chapter despite not being enrolled as a student at FSU.
Investigators interviewed members of the chapter's executive board, who explained there was a tradition at the chapter meetings where members nominate and elect a "brother of the week" and "scumbag of the week."
According to court documents, the executive board said the "scumbag" election is a long standing tradition.
They said there was a punishment for those who were elected "scumbag of the week." Random and varied, the consequences allegedly included, but were not limited to, a "free pass" (with no consequence), a solo cleaning of the fraternity house, licking the floor of the chapter room, or being "punched or slapped."
Documents say Walker was selected to be the one who "slapped" the "scumbag" for the chapter meeting on April 9, 2018. The victim was elected "scumbag," during that meeting.
According to the probable cause document, everyone investigators interviewed confirmed Walker hit the victim, though they weren't all sure that he used his fist. When asked to describe how Walker hit the victim, they said things like "very hard" or "as hard as he could."
After getting hit, documents say the victim fell to the floor, hitting his head and going unconscious. During the ride to the hospital, multiple members of the chapter, including members of the executive board, agreed to lie to say that the victim slipped and fell on his own accord.
The victim was admitted to the hospital, documents say, with a skull fracture and two brain bleeds. He also had a tooth knocked out from being hit by Walker. Later after being released from the hospital and returning home, the victim "had to be readmitted to the hospital for continuing care of his injuries."
Documents say Walker declined to give an interview for the investigation.
Due to the circumstances, the incident was initially investigated as potential hazing incident, but investigators say there wasn't enough evidence to charge anyone with hazing.
Instead, investigators found probable cause to charge Walker with battery charge and culpable negligence, both misdemeanor charges.
We reached out to Florida State University for comment, who confirmed that Walker was never enrolled in the university at any point.
FSU Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht also sent the following statement to WTXL ABC 27:
“Florida State University is in the process of reviewing the police report. Allegations of this nature can lead to charges under the Student Conduct Code, the Student Organization Conduct Code, or both. Alpha Epsilon Pi remains under Interim Disciplinary Action and cannot operate as an organization.”
Jonathan Pierce, the past International President of Alpha Epsilon Pi and current media spokesman, sent the following statement to WTXL:
“Obviously, Alpha Epsilon Pi International does not condone any type of physical violence towards anyone – whether intended to be humorous or not. However, neither the young man who was injured nor the accused were brothers in good standing of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Both were tenants at the apartment complex where the meeting was held and had a right to be at the premises. Alpha Epsilon Pi International is waiting for these and other reports from local authorities to determine next steps.”
TPD confirmed that Walker has not yet been arrested.
Incident at banned FSU fraternity's house sparks criminal investigation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Police are investigating a now banned Florida State University fraternity after a student was hospitalized with a skull fracture and two brain bleeds back in April.
As first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, the Tallahassee Police Department is investigating an incident at the Alpha Epsilon Pi Heritage Grove house.
WTXL ABC 27 was able to confirm the information through a TPD incident report. According to the report, the incident happened on April 9.
The heavily redacted report says that an officer responded to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on April 13 for an a 20-year-old FSU student who had been admitted for a skull fracture and two brain bleeds a few days prior.
The report lists the offense as aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, though the case is under investigation and remains in an open/active status.
In January, Alpha Epsilon Pi was found responsible for several violations to include hazing, and was dismissed from any university recognition for at least four years.
According to the the Greek Conduct Board's findings, some of the student conduct violations happened days after Pi Kappa Phi pledge Andrew Coffey was found dead at an off-campus house party.
On Nov. 4, a day after Coffey was found dead, an anonymous report submitted to university officials claimed the fraternity put pledges through a "humiliating" six-week long process. The report claimed that pledges could even complete the process and still not be eligible to join the frat.
In the other incident, which happened in the fall semester of 2017, a pledge in the fraternity told an instructor that he had written papers for his frat brothers to maintain his membership.
Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity was also found responsible for an incident at their frat house on Oct. 22, where an underage woman was hospitalized after being found unresponsive outside their party.
While Alpha Epsilon Pi has the chance to regain recognition following the four-year period, the board wrote in their recommendation that reinstatement is not guaranteed.
Two FSU fraternities kicked off campus for student conduct violations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - One Florida State University fraternity has been suspended for two years and another could be kicked off campus indefinitely after both were found responsible for multiple student conduct violations.
Chi Phi Fraternity has been suspended from campus for two years through the end of fall semester 2019 and will not be allowed to participate in university events while suspended.
Alpha Epsilon Pi, who was found responsible for several violations to include hazing, has been dismissed from any university recognition for at least four years.
The fraternities were notified about the Greek Conduct Board's decision on Jan. 12.
While Alpha Epsilon Pi has the chance to regain recognition following the four-year period, the board wrote in their recommendation that reinstatement is not guaranteed.
We spoke with students Thursday about the suspensions and what they think about the hazing allegations.
According to the board's findings, some of the student conduct violations happened days after Pi Kappa Phi pledge Andrew Coffey was found dead at an off-campus house party.
On Nov. 4, a day after Coffey was found dead, an anonymous report submitted to university officials claimed Alpha Epsilon Pi put pledges through a "humiliating" six-week long process. The report claimed that pledges could even complete the process and still not be eligible to join the frat.
According to the board's findings, “the anonymous reporter was concerned because this could potentially cause suicide in vulnerable students."
Through witness testimony, message screenshots and statements made by the chapter, the board determined that pledges were exchanging favors, like doing a frat brother's homework, for interviews. According to witnesses, interviews are required during to pledging process so brothers can get to know pledges.
After a hearing, the fraternity was found responsible for hazing in this incident.
While Chi Phi was not sanctioned for hazing, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity was punished for two hazing incidents.
In the other incident, which happened in the fall semester of 2017, a pledge in the fraternity told an instructor that he had written papers for his frat brothers to maintain his membership.
On Nov. 10, four days after FSU President John Thrasher suspended all Greek Life activity, FSUPD was called out to a situation at Westcott Fountain involving Chi Phi members.
When they arrived at the fountain around 3 a.m., they found as many as 50 members standing on and around the fountain in their underwear, celebrating their initiation. The organization’s president claimed that the activity is a tradition for the chapter, but acknowledged that he didn’t ask the university for permission to partake in the activity.
The board found the activity to be in direct violation of the suspension on Greek Life, saying that the fraternity failed to comply with the lawful order of a university official.
Both fraternities were also cited in the board's recommendation for providing alcohol to underage individuals.
Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity was found responsible for an incident at their frat house on Oct. 22, where an underage woman was hospitalized after being found unresponsive outside their party.
Chi Phi was also found responsible for an alcohol-related incident on Sept. 4, where a 17-year-old female at their frat house was taken to the hospital for alcohol intoxication.
Although, all Greek Life activity on FSU's campus is currently suspended, both fraternities will still be unable to participate in campus activities even after the ban is lifted.
