IOWA CITY, Iowa – Police bodycam footage captured a highly controversial scene at a fraternity house at the University of Iowa, where dozens of male students were blindfolded, shirtless, and covered in food in the dark basement of the house.

The incident occurred in November 2024, when police and firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. The video was posted on YouTube on Tuesday and quickly went viral on social media.

56 Individuals Found in Dark Room

Upon descending to the basement, authorities found 56 male students standing silently in a dark room, many barefoot, blindfolded, and covered in food.

An officer stated in the video: "It looks like we're seeing a pretty serious hazing incident." Police repeatedly asked everyone to leave the room and inquired who was "in charge" or the "house dad," but almost no one responded.

Suspect Displays Defiant Attitude

A man in a white hoodie, holding a beer, stood at the basement door, introducing himself as "Jose." When presenting his ID to police, he said: "I think it's fake."

According to court records, the individual was identified as Joseph Gaya, 21 years old. When asked what was happening, Gaya sarcastically replied that it was "a celebration of life."

At another point, Gaya wiped a red substance from a student's neck as police checked for injuries, then asked the officer if he wanted to "taste it."

Arrested, Charges Later Dropped

Someone identifying himself as the fraternity president stated that the students were completing "the pre-initiation preparation phase."

Gaya was arrested the next day on charges of "obstructing official acts." However, according to records, the prosecution later moved to dismiss the case, and the charges were withdrawn.

A University of Iowa representative stated that Gaya was no longer a student at the university at the time of the incident.

Fraternity Suspended for 4 Years

Following an internal investigation, the university decided to suspend Alpha Delta Phi's operations for 4 years, until 2029.

The incident continues to fuel debate about hazing — pressure-filled or humiliating initiation rituals — in U.S. fraternities and sororities and the university's responsibility to oversee these organizations.