Bodycam Footage of UI Fraternity Hazing Incident Goes Viral

Footage shows blindfolded pledges covered in food, leading to fraternity suspension and criminal charges

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:39am

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Body camera footage of a University of Iowa fraternity hazing incident in November 2024 has gone viral online, showing 56 Alpha Delta Phi pledges blindfolded and covered in food in the fraternity's basement. The video, which has received over 50 million views, led to the suspension of the fraternity and criminal charges against one individual involved. The incident has sparked conversations about hazing and the future of Greek life at the university.

Why it matters

The release of the disturbing hazing footage has reignited discussions about the prevalence of hazing in college Greek life and whether more should be done to address the issue. The incident has also raised questions about the university's response and oversight of fraternities and sororities on campus.

The details

The body camera footage was released on social media on February 17, 2026, showing the hazing incident that occurred on November 15, 2024. Police were originally dispatched to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house in response to a fire alarm. The video depicts 56 pledges blindfolded and covered in food in the fraternity's basement. The University of Iowa formally suspended Alpha Delta Phi for the next four academic years following the incident.

  • The hazing incident occurred on November 15, 2024.
  • The body camera footage was released on social media on February 17, 2026.
  • The University of Iowa suspended Alpha Delta Phi for the next four academic years in February 2025.

The players

Alpha Delta Phi

A fraternity at the University of Iowa that was suspended for four years following the hazing incident.

Joseph Gaya

A 21-year-old individual who was originally charged with interference with official acts for blocking first responders from the fraternity house basement, but had the charges dismissed after review of the bodycam footage.

Rachel Zimmermann Smith

The Johnson County Attorney who stated that the Johnson County Attorney's Office did not release the video and did not know who had released it.

Eva Pak

A first-year University of Iowa student and member of the multicultural sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, who discussed the incident and conversations about hazing within Greek life.

Ali Taylor

A University of Iowa first-year student who found the hazing video more comical than concerning.

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What they’re saying

“It is an embarrassing thing to know that's happening so close to home.”

— Eva Pak, First-year University of Iowa student and member of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority

“When I see TikToks or posts talking about how all Greek life should be taken down, I think that that's a bit extreme. I definitely don't think that it should be a thing that causes Greek life to be eliminated as a whole.”

— Eva Pak, First-year University of Iowa student and member of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority

“I thought the video was so f—ing funny. The video of the people found was disgusting. However, the video of the hazing leader coming out and showing his ID with the Bud Light after ripping a fat Juul was really funny.”

— Ali Taylor, First-year University of Iowa student

“I really thought the video was kind of enlightening because it makes you realize that people pay to be in that s— and it's really upsetting because as a future mother, if I saw my child doused in whatever fluids they were doused in, I'd be pissed and would take my kids out of school.”

— Evelyn Czosnek, First-year University of Iowa student

What’s next

The judge in Joseph Gaya's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing issues of hazing within college Greek life and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to protect student safety. While some students found humor in the video, the disturbing footage has reignited debates about the future of fraternities and sororities on university campuses.