Seattle police investigating alleged rape inside UW frat house

Police investigating alleged rape at UW fraternity

Police investigating alleged rape at UW fraternity

SEATTLE -- A University of Washington fraternity has been ordered to temporarily suspend all social activities amid allegations that a woman was raped during a party at the frat’s house, Q13 FOX has learned.

The Seattle Police Department launched an investigation after a woman reported she was sexually assaulted while attending a party at the Zeta Psi fraternity May 21.

A day after the alleged incident, campus police issued a bulletin about a sexual assault that occurred “during a party in a residence in the 4700 block of 21st Ave. NE.”

The bulletin made no mention of a fraternity, but a law enforcement source confirmed that the victim reported to police that the incident occurred at 4703 21st Avenue Northeast, which is the address for the Zeta Psi house.

“A female friend escorted the victim from the location after the incident and called police,” the bulletin stated.

The alleged victim was treated at Harborview Medical Center. She described the suspect as a black male in his 20s, about 6-foot, with a thin build and a short, "buzzed" haircut.

The president of the local chapter of Zeta Psi answered his phone Wednesday, but said he was instructed to defer comment to the national office.

The international director of operations for Zeta Psi told Q13 FOX over the phone that he was made aware of the investigation, but could not comment.

Seattle police detective Drew Fowler declined to comment on the matter beyond what was contained in the bulletin, citing an “active and ongoing investigation.”

David Hotz, director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at UW, confirmed that the fraternity has been ordered to temporarily suspend all social activities pending the outcome of an active police investigation.

Hotz said the suspension was issued on Friday, one day after the rape allegation was made.