Four San Diego State University fraternity members are facing felony charges after a pledge was set on fire during a party skit last year, leaving them hospitalized for weeks with third-degree burns, prosecutors announced Monday. .
According to court documents, the fire occurred on February 17, 2024, when the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity held a large party at his home despite being on probation. While on probation, the fraternity was required to “demonstrate exemplary compliance with university policies,” according to university guidelines.
Instead, fraternity members planned a skit during which the pledge was set on fire, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors say three young men, Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, both swore a sworn statement after drinking alcohol in the presence of fraternity president Kayden Cooper, 22. ) and Lucas Cowling (20 years old) performed a skit.
Prosecutors said Larsen was injured in the fire and had to spend several weeks in the hospital for treatment of third-degree burns that covered 16 percent of his body, mainly his legs.
The charges against Mr. Cooper, Mr. Cowling and Mr. Serrano include recklessly starting a fire causing serious bodily injury. Conspiracy to commit acts harmful to the public. Violation of social host regulations. If convicted on all charges, he would be sentenced to a maximum of seven years and two months in prison, suspended.
Mr. Larsen himself was indicted. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office says that Cooper and Cowling, as well as Cowling, tried to lie to investigators in the case, deleted evidence on social media, and gave evidence against other fraternity members. He said he instructed them to hide it and not to talk about it. Someone tell me what happened at the party.
All four men pleaded not guilty.
Attorneys representing Mr. Cooper and Mr. Cowling did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday. Contact information for attorneys for Serrano and Larsen was not immediately available.
The four students were released on Monday, but the court ordered them not to attend fraternity parties, attend fraternity recruitment events and abide by all laws, including alcohol laws. .
The university announced Tuesday that it would launch its own administrative investigation into the conduct of students and fraternities now that the police investigation is complete.
After reviewing the details, the dean of students immediately placed the Phi Kappa Psi chapter on interim suspension, which remains in place, university officials confirmed Tuesday.
Additional steps were taken, but the administration said it could not provide details due to student privacy laws.
“The university prioritizes the health and safety of the campus community and is committed to ensuring that all members of the university community, including students, act for the safety and health of individuals and the community,” university officials said in a statement. I have high hopes for it.” There is. “
At least six fraternities at San Diego State University have been placed on probation in the past two years, officials said.
