WaWa brothers arrested for assault

Five members of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity (WaWa) were arrested for common assault in the early hours of Thursday, Oct. 17, after hitting two non-Hopkins affiliates with balloons believed to have been filled with water. A student from Ivy Hall was arrested in a related incident.

According to the Hopkins Security report, the victim and her friend were standing in front of the WaWa fraternity house when they were struck by two liquid-filled balloons thrown from the house. The victim reported the incident to the guard on duty at the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, who contacted Hopkins Security. The victim also notified the Baltimore City Police Department (BCPD), which responded with six to seven patrol cars and a police helicopter.

Although the contents of the balloons are currently believed to have been water, the substance will eventually undergo laboratory tests, said BCPD Officer Jay Harris.

The BCPD reported that an ambulance also responded, but the only injuries listed in the Hopkins Security report were "wet clothes."

When the police reported to the scene, they were initially denied entrance by the occupants of the house, according to the Hopkins Security report. Once access was gained, however, five WaWa brothers were arrested and transported by police van to Central Booking, where they were charged and held for 36 hours, according to Associate Dean of Students Dorothy Sheppard.

The BCPD reported that the police helicopter at the scene was already in the air when the incident occurred and responded to the scene for additional support and surveillance.

When asked to comment on the high level of police response, Harris described it as a precautionary measure.

"Anytime there is a situation [involving] a frat house with an unknown amount of people inside, we err on the side of caution ? to ensure the officers' safety as well as public safety," said Harris.

Four of the students "are facing assault charges," said Sheppard, and could face consequences ranging from community service to actual imprisonment.

The students may also be subject to consequences from the University.

"We have an ongoing investigation right now," said Ira Young, coordinator of Greek Life. "[We are] investigating what occurred and reviewing statements by witnesses."

If the findings of the investigation warrant further deliberation, said Young, the event could potentially be reviewed by the Student Conduct Board or the Interfraternity Council to issue disciplinary measures.

The suspects who are members of the football team have been denied the ability to play in some upcoming games, said Sheppard, although she could not give specific details.

She also said that the incident may have contributed to the team's loss on Saturday, which ended its record winning streak. Jim Margraff, the football team coach, acknowledged that some of his football players have been disciplined, but would not specifically identify the balloon incident as the motivation.

In a related incident, a student in Ivy Hall, located directly across the street from the fraternity house, was arrested by the BCPD for disorderly conduct. According to the Hopkins Security report, the student "kept yelling out of the second floor window of Ivy, 'The pride of Baltimore, you pigs!'" while the police were conducting their investigation and making arrests at the WaWa house. Despite officers' demands to desist, the student continued yelling, "drawing a crowd in front of the Royal Farm Store," according to the report.

When both Hopkins and BCPD officers responded to the student's apartment, the student "began yelling at the officer ... using profanity" and presented a fake ID, according to the Hopkins report. The student was transported to Central Booking and charged.