5 University of Alabama Students Arrested on Hazing Charges, Fraternity Activity Suspended
ByPolice arrested five University of Alabama (UA) students, all members of the school's Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, on hazing charges.
According to AL.com, the UA Police Department (UAPD) arrested Colter K. Anderson, 21, John Patrick Buckley, 21, Hunter Lee Wagner, 20, Richard E. Markwalter, 20, and Mark Allen Powers, 20, on Wednesday. All were charged with three counts of hazing, except Powers, who was charged with one count.
The UAPD and the school's Office of Student Conduct collaborated on an investigation that led to the charges, a university spokesman, Chris Bryant, said in a statement. The students were also administered unspecified interim sanctions.
UA and the Phi Gamma Delta national organization also agreed to interim sanctions for the school's chapter, including no pledging and no social events, AL.com reported.
"The University of Alabama will not tolerate hazing and takes allegations and incidents of hazing very seriously," Tim Hebson, UA's dean of students, said in a statement. "Students who are the victims of, or who become aware of, hazing incidents are strongly encouraged to bring these incidents to our attention."
Citing an unnamed source, The Crimson White learned the hazing charges may have stemmed from an initiation ritual involving pledges being forced to stand in buckets with ice and salt, which resulted in burns on their feet. UA officials have not made the connection at this time.
All five students were also released on $1,000 bond by Tuesday night.