A man in possession of a handgun was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Friday Aug. 26 after threatening fraternity brothers who denied him entry to a party at the Phi Society house.
The suspect, Richard Anthony Little, and another man approached the Phi Society house, where fraternity members and friends were outside, according to Inter-Fraternity Council President Ross Kimbel. When fraternity members told the men that the party had ended and asked them to leave, the men persisted and tried to force their way into the house.
Little tried to push Phi Society president Benjamin Rankin and began making threats of violence against the brothers. The second man proceeded to engage the brothers in a shouting match. Rankin immediately called 911 and officers arrived only minutes later, according to Kimbel.
Little attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by police as a handgun fell out of his pants, according to witnesses. He was arrested and is in custody.
Administrators, Kimbel and Rankin said they were pleased by the way the brothers responded to the incident.
"The men of Phi Society reacted perfectly in the situation," Kimbel wrote in an e-mail sent to all members of the Greek system. "Instead of trying to handle the situation on their own, they sought the help of the police, who are trained on these issues."
Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life, concurred.
While this was "a very alarming incident," and "the safety of our students was compromised," the brothers "did the right thing in calling the police," Laushway said.
Laushway has been in contact with Kimbel and is planning to meet with those involved in the incident today.
The incident comes as fraternities are revising their party policies. The new efforts, which include asking for a student ID and using guest lists or invitations, is expected to enhance safety. Police also are increasing patrols of the area on weekends this year.
The brothers at Phi Society had been "operating the door policy on a very tight basis," Kimbel said, and were only admitting students who were friends of brothers or who were listed on a guest list.
The men involved in the incident are not students at the University and have no ties to Phi Society, Rankin said.
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