iowa alpha delta phi bodycam footage released as fraternity suspended for hazing
Police-worn body camera footage from a Nov. 15, 2024 (ET) fire alarm at the University of Iowa chapter of Alpha Delta Phi shows dozens of blindfolded pledges in the fraternity basement and has reignited scrutiny over campus hazing practices. The university suspended the chapter in Feb. 2025 (ET) for violations tied to the incident; one person was arrested in connection with interference in the investigation and later saw charges dismissed.
What the footage shows
The edited body camera video captures emergency responders entering a basement room where roughly 56 young men stood close together, many shirtless and with blindfolds. Several appeared to be smeared with food or other substances. Officers and firefighters repeatedly asked those inside to identify someone in charge or the house supervisor; the room remained largely silent. One man stood in a doorway holding a beer and initially identified himself as "Jose, " later providing an identification that drew an officer’s skepticism.
Responders attempted to evacuate people because the fire alarm had been activated. When an officer asked if anyone was hurt, no one answered. At points officers pressed the group for a clear explanation of what was happening; a person who identified himself outside the building as the chapter president described the scene as a pre-initiation ritual. Officers told those present that university policy on hazing is strict given the history of fatal incidents tied to similar events.
Investigations, arrest and sanctions
Following the discovery, university authorities opened an investigation into potential hazing and related misconduct. The chapter was suspended on Feb. 25, 2025 (ET) and prohibited from campus activities until at least July 1, 2029 (ET). The university determined the organization had violated campus policies on hazing and failed to cooperate fully with the investigation.
One man identified in the footage, 22-year-old Joseph Gaya, was arrested after an interaction with officers the night of the incident in which he was said to have interfered with their work. Gaya was not enrolled as a student at the university at the time. Criminal charges tied to that arrest were later dismissed after a state motion to drop the case in Nov. 2025 (ET).
The national fraternity office conducted its own review and concluded two members bore primary responsibility for organizing the event, revoking their national memberships. The chapter contested the university’s handling and appealed campus discipline, arguing the investigation unfairly targeted the group; the university denied the appeal.
Aftermath and context
The footage has circulated widely online and prompted renewed calls on campus for stricter oversight of fraternity activities and more robust anti-hazing education. Legal definitions in the state classify hazing as a misdemeanor when activities intentionally or recklessly endanger participants’ physical health or safety for the purpose of initiation. University policies typically define hazing broadly to include actions that humiliate, degrade, abuse or endanger participants, regardless of claimed consent.
Advocates for stronger campus safeguards say the video underscores how quickly routine-seeming rituals can cross lines into behavior that risks harm. Administrators face pressure to balance due process for student organizations with swift action that prioritizes student safety. For now, the chapter remains suspended and disciplinary rulings stand as the university enforces its campus conduct code.
The released footage has renewed conversations about accountability for organizers, the role of national fraternity offices, and how universities respond when emergency responders uncover potential hazing during routine calls. The incident remains a focal point for discussions on prevention, education, and enforcement aimed at reducing hazing-related harm on college campuses.
