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Deadly wake-up call: Alleged frat hazing electrocution highlights student dangers in off-campus homes

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Deadly wake-up call: Alleged frat hazing electrocution highlights student dangers in off-campus homes

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A New Jersey college student’s reported electrocution stemming from what authorities believe to be tied to an alleged hazing incident has raised new questions regarding safety concerns within off-campus housing at universities around the country.

Earlier this month, a 19-year-old Rutgers University student was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being electrically shocked inside an off-campus Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house during an alleged hazing incident, according to NJ.com. A second student was also reportedly injured by an electrical current after attempting to pull the victim away from the wire, a parent of a fraternity member told the outlet.

In response to the allegations, Alpha Sigma Phi’s national organization made the decision to permanently ban the university’s chapter from campus, effectively shuttering the College Avenue house’s doors.

FRATERNITY SUSPENDED AFTER POSSIBLE HAZING LEAVES UNIVERSITY STUDENT IN CRITICAL CONDITION: REPORT

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The Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house at 106 College Avenue, where a 19-year-old Rutgers University student was seriously injured on October 15, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press via USA Today)

“Based on our information, we determined that the chapter violated multiple parts of the Fraternity’s Health and Safety guidelines that evening,” Gordy Heminger, president and CEO of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc., said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Had the chapter not been hazing the new members that evening, we do not believe any injuries would have occurred. As a result of the investigation, the chapter is now closed.”

Following an institutional review, Rutgers has also placed the fraternity under a cease and desist order and organizational disciplinary probation.

While investigators are still working to piece together the events that led to one student being hospitalized, questions surrounding the safety of off-campus Greek life housing – and the risks of potential hazing – have started to emerge.

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A 19-year-old student was hospitalized in critical condition after being found unresponsive at an Alpha Sigma Phi chapter’s off-campus house at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (iStock)

“There is a feeling and an expectation from parents that the university has greater control over these off-campus, privately owned housing options,” David Stollman, president of Campuspeak, told Fox News Digital. “I think a constant expectation that parents have is that there’s greater control than the university may actually have.”

Currently, regulations involving a university’s liability for incidents that occur in off-campus student housing are left up to each individual organization, with some schools weighing the benefits – and risks – of providing oversight for the homes.

“Campus attorneys have different opinions,” Stollman said. “Some believe and direct their university to say it’s better that we know and we do all that we can to add a layer of protection. Others say if we add that layer of protection, the university is then responsible.”

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Alpha Sigma Phi’s Rutgers University chapter has been permanently banned as authorities work to determine the cause of the student’s injuries, according to officials. (iStock)

Within days of the alleged hazing incident, Alpha Sigma Phi’s chapter house in New Brunswick was declared uninhabitable after it was revealed that the property had a history of failed inspections and a $10,000 fine issued earlier this year, according to records obtained by Fox News Digital.

Inspection records dating back to 2014 show a string of code violations, with officials documenting numerous hazards – including structural neglect and fire safety issues – beginning in 2020.

In 2023, inspectors discovered missing carbon monoxide alarms, broken door hardware, damaged flooring and exterior garbage buildup. One year later, many of the violations were still present when officials returned to the home, resulting in a $10,000 fine.

RUTGERS CHANCELLOR LAUNCHES SAFETY REVIEW, ‘ACADEMIC FREEDOM’ TASK FORCE AMID ‘DR ANTIFA’ UPROAR

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After a 19-year-old Rutgers University fraternity member was critically injured in an alleged hazing incident, experts are raising questions regarding liability for off-campus residences’ safety violations. (iStock)

Another inspection in May 2025 uncovered 50 reported problems, including open wiring, structural damage, blocked fire escapes and pest infestations, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

Less than one month before the student was critically injured, the Department of Community Affairs confiscated the property’s certificate of inspection. Days later, a reinspection report indicated the house had at least 19 remaining violations, including several life-safety issues involving broken carbon monoxide detectors and blocked exits.

The home is owned by the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and managed by the organization’s national housing arm, CLVEN, according to property records.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, Heminger insisted that any maintenance issues submitted to CLVEN were resolved in a timely manner, and “over 200 minutes of virtual housing meetings with undergraduates this academic year were reviewed, and there was never any mention of electrical/life safety issues in the house by any of the undergraduates.”

“Sadly, the undergraduates and – or – their guests committed a lot of documented damage to the chapter house,” Heminger said. 

Additionally, Rutgers “has no involvement” in the oversight of the property, a university spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

An unsafe structure notice hangs on the front door of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house at 106 College Avenue, where a 19-year-old Rutgers University student was seriously injured on October 15, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press via USA Today)

According to Stollman, many off-campus Greek life homes are either managed by the local or national chapter, or rented from a third-party landlord – with many organizations preferring local alumni to universities when it comes to safety evaluations.

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“There’s risk to the university if they go through and certify those houses,” Stollman told Fox News Digital. “Because if they certify something is safe and it’s not, then I as a parent would look to them and say, ‘Wait a minute, you told me this was safe.’”

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However, Stollman insists that universities with such housing situations should provide increased transparency to parents regarding their involvement in ensuring the safety of students.

“It would be great if a parent can help their student shop for where they want to live off-campus by some of that transparency,” Stollman said. “[With] the university bringing in what violations the city has put forth, even if the university isn’t certifying that these violations are accurate or inaccurate.”

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating to determine if criminal charges can be brought against any of the students found to be involved in the incident, according to Rutgers.

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The victim is currently recovering from his injuries and is still receiving treatment, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

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As Greek life remains a solidified tradition throughout the country’s higher education system, Stollman implores families to do their research regarding their student’s off-campus housing options while prioritizing safety and transparency.

“Off-campus rental properties for students is a big business,” Stollman said.

“There are a lot of companies who have invested greatly in those big college towns, especially. [Families should] look at what these companies are putting forward in their leases, and what they’re putting forward in their protections of students. So it’s a tough situation, it’s really [about] what you can find out and how you can make decisions as early as possible.”

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Connecticut

Man shot, critically injured by police in Hartford; mayor says there will be a ‘full review’

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Man shot, critically injured by police in Hartford; mayor says there will be a ‘full review’




Man shot, critically injured by police in Hartford; mayor says there will be a ‘full review’ – NBC Connecticut



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Maine

Maine Celtics stumble against Windy City

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Maine Celtics stumble against Windy City


Max McClung scored 12 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, and the Windy City Bulls went on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 121-106 win over the Maine Celtics in an NBA G League game Friday night at the Portland Expo.

Kevin Knox II added 30 points, 21 in the second half.

Amari Williams led the Celtics with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Bridges made six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, but the Celtics dropped to 2-8 in their last 10 games. Maine has lost four straight games at the Expo.

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Massachusetts

Eight takeaways from Friday’s high school playoffs action, including four 1,000-point scorers – The Boston Globe

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Eight takeaways from Friday’s high school playoffs action, including four 1,000-point scorers – The Boston Globe


Find the full scoreboard here, along with everything we wrote Friday night:

Not seeing your team’s highlights in Takeaways? Here are all the ways to submit scores and stats to Globe Schools via phone, email, and social media.

▪ Cathedral senior Keyona Raines scored 15 points, including the 1,000th of her career, as the No. 5 Panthers handled No. 28 Hudson, 60-43, in the first round of the Division 4 girls’ basketball tournament.

▪ Sutton junior captain Ava Carroll netted her 1,000th career point during a 29-point effort in a 49-31 Division 4 first-round win over Easthampton.

▪ With a layup in the waning seconds of the first half, Anna Freeman became the 10th Medway player, and first since Riley Childs in 2018, to score 1,000 career points. She finished the 55-24 Division 3 first-round win over St. Paul with 17. Her father, Matt Freeman, scored 1,000 points at Bishop Feehan.

▪ Burlington boys’ basketball senior Matty Gray reached 1,000 career points during a 25-point performance in a 95-58 Division 2 first-round rout of Holliston. He reached the mark on a first-quarter layup.

▪ Falmouth boys’ hockey senior Kody Pokraka rode two assists to 100 career points during a 5-4 Division 2 first-round win over Plymouth South.

It was a chalky day, with only one significant upset: No. 22 Greater Lawrence girls’ basketball easily handling No. 11 Hamilton-Wenham, 65-45, in the Division 4 first round thanks to 13 3-pointers as a team and a combined 47 points from Serenity West (24) and Maliah Caban (23).

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The only other lower seeds to win were No. 18 Marshfield boys’ basketball, which took out No. 15 Cambridge, 66-63, in overtime in the Division 1 first round, and No. 34 Arlington Catholic boys’ basketball, which survived No. 31 Duxbury, 64-60, in Division 2 preliminary-round action.

The finish of the night came in No. 17 South Hadley’s 61-60 win over No. 16 Madison Park. Trailing 60-59 and inbounding with 10.3 seconds left, the Tigers got an off-balance 3-pointer, but junior Noah Hambley crashed the boards and in one fell swoop secured the rebound and put it back up off the glass for the winning bucket as time expired in a boys’ basketball Division 4 first-round matchup.

The Oliver Ames boys got four free throws from Jacob Lok in the final 26 seconds to squeak past Canton, 45-42, in the first round of the Division 2 bracket. The Acton-Boxborough girls also needed overtime to complete a 53-49 Division 1 first-round triumph over Brookline.

The only overtime hockey game of the night saw the Diman boys net an equalizer in the final minute of regulation before Marlborough’s Ethan Guo supplied the heroics just 2:08 into the extra frame, propelling the No. 8 Panthers into the Division 3 second round with a 6-5 victory. Anthony Tramontozzi and Chace Lozano each scored twice for Marlborough

Caroline Arruda, Marshfield — The sophomore poured in 32 points to push the Rams to a 68-63 preliminary-round win over Westborough.

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Gaby Bassett, Nauset/Monomoy — The senior capped her hat trick with the winning goal in a 4-3 Division 2 opening-round win over Burlington.

Brody Bumila and Jake Webster, Bishop Feehan — The seniors took control of an 85-67 Division 1 first-round victory, with Bumila providing 32 points and 14 rebounds and Webster going for 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames — The senior’s 3-point shot wasn’t falling, but she didn’t let that get in the way of a 34-point performance, 2 off her career best, during a 59-50 Division 2 first-round win over Bedford.

Eileen Lowther, Hingham — The junior controlled the glass, pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking six shots to go with 12 points in a 54-43 Division 2 first-round win.

Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan — The senior from Dighton delivered 21 points, 9 steals, and 5 assists as the No. 2 Shamrocks rolled to a 71-30 Division 1 first-round victory over Peabody.

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Maura Quirk, Acton-Boxborough — The sophomore was cleaning the glass to the tune of 17 rebounds while adding 13 points in a 53-49 overtime win in the first round of the Division 1 bracket.

Senior Sophia O’Donnell made history, becoming the first St. Mary’s athlete to sign to become a Division 1 rower. O’Donnell will row for Merrimack.

Milton Academy graduate Cormac Ryan signed a two-way NBA contract with the Bucks on Thursday, making him the fourth former member of the Middlesex Magic AAU program currently in the NBA, along with The Pistons’ Duncan Robinson, Hornets’ Pat Connaughton, and Knicks’ Tyler Kolek.

Ryan, who hails from New York, was a three-time All-NEPSAC selection at Milton Academy before playing at Stanford, Notre Dame, and North Carolina. He spent the last two seasons in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue and Wisconsin Herd. He played with the Thunder’s Summer League team in 2024.

Quinnipiac junior Anna Foley, a 6-foot-3-inch Andover graduate, was celebrated for reaching 1,000 points during a ceremony Friday. She passed the mark on Feb. 12 in a 62-40 victory over Siena. A two-time All-MAAC second team selection, she’s averaging 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

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8. Basketball leaderboard

Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames, 34

Caroline Arruda, Marshfield, 32

Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan, 32

Weston Bunnell, Stoneham, 29

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Joe Baraky, Duxbury, 28

Zach Georges, Pioneer Charter I, 27

Kelsi Lanza, Silver Lake, 27

Josh Roux, Andover, 26

Ava Bailey, Newburyport, 25

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Allie Danis, Newton North, 25

Angie Djoko, Danvers, 25

Noah Feldman, Marshfield, 25

Matty Gray, Burlington, 25

Jackson Hines, Arlington Catholic, 25

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Connor Houle, Attleboro, 25

Katelyn Troilo, Mansfield, 25

Alex Ste. Marie, Manchester Essex, 24

Serenity West, Greater Lawrence, 24

Noah Bayersdorfer, Winthrop, 23

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Maliah Caban, Greater Lawrence, 23

Josh Jenkins, Barnstable, 23

Reagan Maniscalco, Tewksbury, 23

Colin Trimble, Foxborough, 23

Eva Andrews, Needham, 22

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Alaysia Drummonds, Foxborough, 22

Trevor Manning, Ipswich, 22

Gia Porazzo, Foxborough, 22

Sarah Powers, Wayland, 22

Ryan Tullish, Middleborough, 22

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Chase Gara, Sutton, 21

Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan, 21

LaDainian Rodrigues, Attleboro, 21

Rex Satter, Ipswich, 21

Jake Webster, Bishop Feehan, 21

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Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 20

Dylan Raffle, Milton, 20

Maeve Horsman, Oliver Ames, 18

Eva Andrews, Needham, 17

Maura Quirk, Acton-Boxborough, 17

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Tony Dean, Stoneham, 15

Eileen Lowther, Hingham, 15

Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan, 14

Angie Djoko, Danvers, 12

Camden Strandberg, Bridgewater-Raynham, 11

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Avery Teixeira, Bishop Feehan, 11

Sophie Gallivan, North Reading, 10

Shannon LaMorticelli, Bishop Feehan, 10

Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 10

Zarah Ochi, Burlington, 10

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Ashley Varnum, Bridgewater-Raynham, 10

Lila Polansky, Bridgewater-Raynham, 8

Duke Cherry, Malden Catholic, 7

Sophie Gallivan, North Reading, 7

Erin Reilly, Burlington, 7

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Jake Webster, Bishop Feehan, 7

Caroline Connors, Millis, 6

Egan Gill, Bishop Feehan, 6

Rex Satter, Ipswich, 6

Marcus Tayag, Pioneer Charter I, 6

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Rayana Laurent, Pingree, 5

Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan, 9

Reagan Maniscalco, Tewksbury, 6

Ella O’Keefe, Oliver Ames, 5

Dylan Raffle, Milton, 4

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Ava Sicari, Burlington, 4

Rex Satter, Ipswich, 3

Eileen Lowther, Hingham, 6

Maeve Horsman, Oliver Ames, 5

Zarah Ochi, Burlington, 4

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Gaby Bassett, Nauset/Monomoy, 3

Griff Callahan, Martha’s Vineyard, 2

Max Cronen, Monomoy/Mashpee, 2

Addy Harrington, Duxbury, 2

Jaxon Hoey, Norwell, 2

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Chace Lozano, Marlborough, 2

Mackenna Metell, Martha’s Vineyard, 2

Christos Rogaris, Dover-Sherborn/Weston, 2

Mark Trahon, Norwood, 2

Anthony Tramontozzi, Marlborough, 2

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Bryce Campanale, Norwell, 3

Maeve Turner, Falmouth, 3

Violet Cox, Falmouth, 2

Ryan Heidt, Martha’s Vineyard, 2

Cam Long, Norwell, 2

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Kody Pokraka, Falmouth, 2

Bailen Darack, Martha’s Vineyard, 22

Sammie Precourt, Dennis-Yarmouth, 16


Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.





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