Four frat brothers from a San Diego State University have been charged after one of them, a pledge, was set ablaze in a planned skit that went too far.
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Four Phi Kappa Psi members attempted to perform a skit that involved setting a pledge on fire. By the sounds of the injuries, and the members' efforts to conceal the event from authorities, the skit got out of control.
According to the San Diego District Attorney, the party and incident took place in February 2024. The fraternity was on probation at the time.
The incident involved Caden Cooper, 22, who was the fraternity president, and Lucas Cowling, 20, who was on the Pledge Board, and pledges Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19.
The skit involved Serrano setting Larsen on fire. They consumed alcohol before the skit and executed it during the party. It left Larsen with burns covering 16% of his body. He had to stay in the hospital for several weeks to receive treatment.
Cooper told other frat members to keep quiet to the police and deleted evidence of the event. He lied to authorities and urged others to do the same. Even now, all four of them plead not guilty of the charges they face.
Four Frat Brothers Face Charges After Setting Pledge On Fire
Their charges include "recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public, and violating the social host ordinance."
If the court finds them guilty of all charges, they could spend up to seven years in prison.
The members were arraigned on Monday but were released on several conditions. They are not to participate in any frat parties or events.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. They're due back for a preliminary hearing on April 16, and a readiness hearing on March 18.
A university spokesperson talked to the New York Post. "The university prioritizes the health and safety of our campus community and has high expectations for how all members of the university community, including students, behave in the interest of individuals and community safety and wellbeing."
