Six college students face hazing and assault charges

VIDEO - Six University of Akron students are facing hazing and assault charges...

Akron, Ohio – Six University of Akron students are facing hazing and assault charges.

They’re all members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and warrants for their arrests were issued today in connection to an allegedly violent initiation incident.

The University of Akron sent a message to students and staff Thursday alerting them about this case.

Channel 3 News obtained a copy of the police report and the investigative report.

The reported hazing started back in January while the victim was pledging Alpha Phi Alpha, and university police received an anonymous tip.

According to the report, the 21-year-old victim is a University of Akron student who was beaten so badly with a paddle, he was admitted to EMH Elyria Medical Center.

It happened over a three-week period in January. The victim told police there were multiple occasions of hazing, or “taking the wood” of the paddle, while he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha.

A few times it got so bad the chapter president had to step in to control the situation.

The suspects are Steven Miles Pitts, Rinaldo Darius Allen Jr., Jlani D. Pryce, Chauncey St. Clair Gilliam, Clive Ennin and chapter President Traevon D. Leak. The university suspended the fraternity on Jan. 31.

Students who live nearby the house on Spicer Street are in shock.

“I don’t what to think,” junior Brad McFee said. “I was speechless. It’s sad, frustrating, upsetting.”

The university echoed those feelings in its response, first making it clear that hazing of any kind is not tolerated and going on to say: “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 victim made the dean’s list this past fall. In the report he mentioned being afraid to come forward, and that’s a growing trend. A recent Atlantic Magazine article found that since 2005, more than 60 people have died in incidents linked to fraternities, but that number is tiny compared to the number of serious injuries and assaults.

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