SU students identified, charged with hate crime after Zeta Beta Tau incident, SPD says
The two students involved in a Tuesday night incident at Syracuse University’s Zeta Beta Tau fraternity are currently being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center and pending arraignment, SPD said. Paul Schlesinger | Daily Orange File Photo
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UPDATE: This post was updated at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2025.
The two students involved in a Tuesday night incident at Syracuse University’s Zeta Beta Tau fraternity were charged with burglary as a hate crime in the second degree and criminal nuisance in the second degree, the Syracuse Police Department said Wednesday.
The SU students — identified as 18-year-olds Kyle Anderson and Samuel Patten — are currently lodged at the Onondaga County Justice Center and pending arraignment, according to the release.
One of the students entered ZBT at around 5:54 p.m. and threw a clear plastic bag containing pork at a wall, according to the release. The student ran from the fraternity house and into a Jeep Wrangler the second student was driving. The car had a Connecticut license plate, SPD said.
Department of Public Safety officers identified the suspects, who were detained by SPD.
“This type of behavior is disheartening, especially as it targeted a Jewish fraternity during a significant religious holiday,” Police Chief Joe Cecile said in the release. “Acts of bias or hate have no place in our community, and we will continue to work with our partners at Syracuse University and the District Attorney’s Office to hold those responsible accountable.”
A burglary in the second degree conviction, the act of illegally entering a residence with the intent to commit a crime, can carry a one to 15-year conviction in New York state prison. The added hate crime is an “enhancement” to the sentence, deeming the offense one category higher than the specified offense, according to New York state Penal Law.
In this case, if convicted, the students would be charged with burglary in the first degree, which carries up to a 25-year sentence.
Criminal nuisance in the second degree is when someone knowingly or recklessly creates or maintains a condition that endangers the safety or health of a “considerable” number of people. It is also considered knowingly conducting or maintaining a place where people gather to engage in unlawful conduct.
If convicted, the charge carries a potential fine, community service hours, mandatory state surcharge, probation, order of protection or incarceration in local county or city jail for up to 90 days.
In a Wednesday afternoon post on its Instagram story, the fraternity wrote that it’s “heartbroken and outraged” by the incident.
“This was an attack on our home, our values, and our safety, as well as every Jewish student on
campus,” the story reads. “Zeta Beta Tau does not stand for antisemitism or any form of hate within our community.”
The fraternity wrote that the incident is a reminder that “we are stronger together” and hopes to foster safety and inclusion on campus.
In a Thursday statement to The Daily Orange, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh wrote that he was “disgusted” by the act of hate.
“Syracuse Police will work with the District Attorney to ensure that there is accountability and to send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated in the City of Syracuse,” he wrote.
SU’s Student Government Association unanimously voted to condemn the incident on Thursday, writing that SU and SUNY ESF stand in solidarity against “all antisemitic actions.”
“Syracuse University and SUNY ESF will continue to advocate for the expansion of resources to protect students’ first amendment right to freedom of religion,” the resolution reads.
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said that both defendants are presumed innocent as his office continues to investigate the case.
“Onondaga County is a very tolerant and diverse community. We fortunately rarely have Hate Crimes to investigate or prosecute,” he wrote in a Wednesday statement. “This incident is not a foolish college prank and will not be treated as such.”
In a statement to The Daily Orange, College Democrats at SU condemned the “abhorrent, anti-semitic” incident, citing the national increase in anti-semitic activity.
“Attacking a vulnerable population as they participate in a religious custom is gross and harmful,” the statement reads. “Syracuse University must be a bastion of acceptance, allowing all people to practice their religion without fear.”
Black at Syracuse University posted that it’s “relieved” Fitzpatrick is investigating the incident, but condemned his statement, calling it “systemic white supremacy.” The post referenced the man found hanging from an overpass in DeWitt.
“This is how racism works,” the post reads. “Local leaders try to put us against each other by creating the conditions for antisemitic harm and then using antisemitic harm to downplay the anti-Black harm they are enacting against us systemically.”
Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion called the incident “absolutely horrifying” in a Wednesday post on X.
“Antisemitism must be condemned wherever we see it,” Marion wrote. “I am ever grateful for the work of (SPD) in fighting hate crimes when they happen.”
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional charges may be considered as SPD gathers more information, the release said.
Anyone with any information can contact SPD’s Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222.
