UPDATED::Students react to claims that UND fraternity assaulted a gay man | Grand Forks Herald

UPDATE::  UND finishes investigation of alleged assault, clears fraternity

The investigation stems from an incident reported to Grand Forks law enforcement in late August involving a 18-year-old man claiming multiple men stripped him of his clothing and physically assaulted him while calling him homophobic slurs at a party at Lambda Chi Alpha.

On Oct. 8, the county state's attorney office released a statement saying a police investigation found that the accuser, Haakon Gisvold, who is not a UND student, fabricated the story he told police and was responsible for starting the altercation.

With UND's independent investigation concluded, the incident is considered "closed" with no follow-up planned by the school, the release said.

This story originally tagged - Anti-Gay, Crime, Hate.  Those tags have been removed to reflect the findings of the investigation.
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A man claims he was beaten up by a fraternity for being gay. Today University of North Dakota Police confirmed they are investigating.

“I guess I really can't believe that, but if it's true that's crazy,” said UND freshman Maria Diepolder.

Students were shocked to hear to about the allegations one man is raising against the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

“We were informed by the victim that people with the assault had made comments regarding sexual orientation,” UND sergeant Danny Weigel said.

The victim, who is openly gay, said he went to a party at the frat with friends. That's when he claims the fraternity brothers told him to leave because of his outfit and sexual orientation. The victim said once outside, he was pushed to the ground, choked and whipped with his own belt while anti-gay slurs were yelled at him. If the allegations are true, police say this could be treated as a hate crime.

Students react to claims that UND fraternity assaulted a gay man | Grand Forks Herald

See also:: Updated: UND president 'disturbed’ by alleged assault near campus 

Meanwhile, the local Lambda Chi Alpha chapter has been placed on “limited operation,” meaning while police investigate the allegations, the fraternity’s formal activities will be restricted, according to a press release from Lambda Chi Alpha’s international headquarters.

“We take this alleged incident extremely seriously, and although there isn’t ... sufficient information to support the claims, we are working in partnership with the university and local law enforcement to ensure an immediate and thorough investigation is completed,” said Nick Zuniga, director of chapter services at the international organization.