The Tallahassee Police Department has released an incident report that cites two Florida A&M University music department faculty members as suspects in a hazing event that took place in 2010. According to the report, pledges of a fraternity associated with the school’s marching band were slapped on their backs and necks at an event held off-campus at the home of one of the faculty members. Lynn Hatter has more.
The report lists several interviews with current members of FAMU’s Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity who testified they were present at the time of the incident. However, each interviewee told a different story or could not clearly remember what events took place. The case was initially reported to the FAMU Police Department. TPD learned about it through the media in January. Spokesman David Northway says no charges are being filed against the suspects because the statute of limitations has expired.
“If someone steps forward now and says wait, I know about that case, and I’m willing to talk and I know what date it happened on, then that would change things. But as of right now, all the information we have in front of us doesn’t allow us to present enough information to the state attorney’s office to pick up charges against any of the suspects in the case.”
FAMU officials call the incident report “disturbing.” In a written statement, University President James Ammons says the school is just now learning about the case, and will conduct an administrative and legal review and take appropriate action against faculty members and students involved, up to- and including dismissals.
