The University of Connecticut fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon Delta Gamma Chapter (TKE) responded to the arrest of a fraternity member charged with assault on Tuesday, stating that they are working to remove the member from the fraternity. The fraternity is actively cooperating with law enforcement and conducting an internal investigation of their own.
The response comes after the TKE member, age 20, was arrested early Saturday morning at his home. Authorities arrested him after responding to a report of an assault that had occurred at a residence on Boston Turnpike in Willington, Conn., according to the Connecticut State Police report. The member was arrested on charges of assault of the third degree and breach of the peace of the second degree.
The UConn TKE Delta Gamma chapter explained in a press release that they are committed to “fully cooperating with authorities as they work to investigate this matter thoroughly and fairly” and “will continue to support the legal process as it unfolds.”
The fraternity also stressed that as a group they “condemn any forms of violence.”
“Acts of abuse or violence are unacceptable, and we are committed to upholding the principles of respect, safety, and accountability,” stated the fraternity in a press release. “The member who was involved has been suspended indefinitely while we process the necessary paperwork to have them removed from the fraternity.”
This arrest comes in the wake of another UConn fraternity assault case back in May in which the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity was suspended after their former fraternity president was arrested in connection to hazing allegations. The former president was arrested on the charge of disorderly conduct, assault of the third degree and strangulation and suffocation of the third degree.
The UConn TKE Delta Gamma chapter stated it is committed to preventing these types of incidents in the future.
“We reaffirm our commitment to promoting a safe and supportive environment for all,” stated the fraternity in a press release. “We will continue to take steps to address and prevent domestic violence within our organization.”
The organization also expressed they hope to address this issue through education.
Fraternity members are required to complete annual risk training before every school year and the fraternity plans on hosting an educational program this semester to bring attention to the “effects of domestic violence and how members of our community can work to prevent it,” according to the fraternity’s press release.
The former TKE member was released on a bond of $5,000 and is set to appear at the Rockville Superior Court on Oct. 16, 2024.
Update: This article was updated on Oct. 10 to remove an address number to protect the safety and privacy of the individual.