NC State's Sigma Nu fraternity to close amid criminal investigation, I-Team learns

NC State's Sigma Nu fraternity to close amid criminal investigation, I-Team learns By Jon Dowding Friday, November 6, 2026 11:00PM Sigma Nu National Fraternity confirmed to the ABC11 I-Team on Friday that the Beta Tau Chapter on NC State University's campus will shut down. RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Sigma Nu National Fraternity confirmed to the ABC11 I-Team on Friday that the Beta Tau Chapter on N.C. State University's campus will shut down. The move comes as the chapter is under a criminal investigation after hazing allegations surfaced in October. This also comes a day after search warrants detailed some of the graphic hazing allegations the fraternity faces. In one of the search warrants, investigators say they obtained video evidence showing a male subject vomiting onto two unidentified people lying on the floor of what investigators believe is a bathroom inside the Sigma Nu house. In a statement to ABC11 , Sigma Nu National said, in part: "This suspension comes as a result of significant and severe violations of the Fraternity's principles, law, policies, and membership requirements, as well as the policies of North Carolina State University, occurring in activities of the Beta Tau Chapter. The Fraternity reached the suspension decision in full consultation with, and with the support of, North Carolina State University officials. The Fraternity continues to appreciate the diligent work of North Carolina State University Police Department officers in their thorough investigation, which remains ongoing. The Fraternity will continue to fully support and cooperate with the procedures of law enforcement officials in this matter." University police are conducting a separate criminal investigation into the allegations. Last week, NC State Police executed a search warrant at the fraternity house on campus. NC State also reacted on Friday, releasing a statement to the I-Team. "NC State does not tolerate hazing. The safety and well-being of our students is of the utmost importance," the university said. "NC State University has been notified that Sigma Nu Fraternity has suspended the Beta Tau Chapter's Charter. As the Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Nu is no longer in good standing under the university's policies, NC State University has revoked the Chapter's recognition. "As the NC State University Police Department criminal investigation and university conduct review processes are ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments at this time." National chapter officials say they are not sure what next steps would happen, specifically including how long students would be allowed to stay inside the home. The I-Team sat down with Michael Easley, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, who told the I-Team that the findings in the search warrant prove to be shocking. "If the evidence in this search warrant ultimately proves to be true, it would represent a very degraded culture in that particular fraternal organization. And, if the allegations are true, it would be a significant departure from what would be considered traditional," said Easley. No charges yet filed. Could that change? On Friday, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said charging decisions could be made in the coming weeks. NC State's Sigma Nu fraternity to close amid criminal investigation, I-Team learns 6 minutes ago 'I'd be stunned' if Philip Rivers isn't NC State's next coach, Alabama sports reporter tells ABC11 1 hour ago Quiet, cooler weather heading into the weekend 40 minutes ago "I think within the next 30 days that they will be at a period, or a place where they're ready to present that information to our office, and we will be making some charging decisions," Freeman said. Easley said the allegations raise concerns about potential criminal charges. "This is a moment when I think many of us see a set of allegations like these. And the reaction is that this has gone way too far," Easley said. Easley said investigators could be considering multiple potential offenses. "While you do have a hazing statute, you've got potential narcotics charges. You have potential assault charges that would need to be considered, both of which are felony level offenses," Easley said. Legal experts told the I-Team that investigators will likely attempt to reconstruct what happened using dozens of electronic devices seized from the fraternity house. "You've got a lot of devices. And you have to figure out whether you can get into them. So I think investigators may be using fairly sophisticated technology to try to access the contents of those phones," Easley said. Neither NC State nor the national fraternity could say what will happen to students who are living in the house on Friday. The university also said it placed the fraternity on interim suspension after learning of allegations that were anonymously submitted in September. The criminal investigation remains ongoing. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved. 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