Syracuse students charged with hate crime after pork tossed into Jewish fraternity during Rosh Hashanah

Two Syracuse University students have been charged with hate crimes after authorities say one of them entered the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house and tossed a bag of pork inside during a Rosh Hashanah celebration. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday at the fraternity house near the Syracuse University campus, according to university officials.

One of the suspects allegedly entered the home and hurled a clear plastic bag of pork against an interior wall, splattering its contents on the wall and floor, Syracuse University Police Department said. The two 18-year-olds then fled the residence in a vehicle driven by the other suspect. They were soon captured and charged with burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said the hate crime charge stems from the fact that the act occurred on a Jewish holiday at a historically Jewish fraternity. "This incident is not a foolish college prank and will not be treated as such," Fitzpatrick said. "It will be treated for what it is, a crime directed against a group of Jewish students enjoying a celebratory dinner and seemingly secure in their residence." The two suspects were captured and have been charged with burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance.

Syracuse University’s chief student experience officer, Allen Groves, said the university is treating the incident with seriousness and referred the two men to the Office of Community Standards for potential disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code. "Tonight’s incident, as reported to us, is abhorrent, shocking to the conscience and violates our core value of being a place that is truly welcoming to all," Groves said. "It will not be tolerated at Syracuse University."

The university and campus police are coordinating with local authorities as the investigation continues. Officials described the case as a hate-motivated disturbance aimed at a Jewish student group during a sacred holiday. While no additional arrests have been announced, investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as they build the case for possible additional charges and disciplinary actions.