Fraternity Members Face Felony Charges for Setting Pledge on Fire

Four San Diego State University fraternity members have been slapped with felony charges stemming from an incident early last year in which a pledge was set on fire during a skit at a party, with the injured pledge among those facing charges.

According to the New York Times, Phi Kappa Psi threw a large house party on Feb. 17, 2024, while the fraternity was on probation, during which it was expected to "demonstrate exemplary compliance with university policies," per student organization conduct guidelines. During the party, fraternity members performed a skit in which a pledge, Lars Larsen, 19 was to be set on fire by a fellow pledge, 20-year-old Christopher Serrano.

The exact details of what transpired are unclear, however Larsen was left with third-degree burns covering 16 percent of his body, leaving him hospitalized for weeks. Both Larsen and Serrano, as well as another underage frat member, Lucas Cowling, 20, all reportedly consumed alcohol prior to the sketch.

All three young men, as well as fraternity president, Caden Cooper, 22, who allegedly witnessed the students consuming alcohol, are facing charges. Larsen was charged due to his involvement in an alleged cover-up, in which authorities claim students attempted to lie to investigators, deleted evidence on social media, and coerced others to destroy evidence and not talk to authorities or university officials about the incident.

The 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 convicted, they face two months in prison and up to seven years probation.

Following the police investigation, the university said Tuesday that it would begin its own administrative investigation. In the meantime, the Phi Kappa Psi chapter was put on interim suspension, which "suspends all privileges granted to the student organization, including campus recognition."

“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 individual and community safety and well-being," the university said in a statement.

The four students were released on Monday but have been ordered by the court to not participate in any fraternity parties or recruitment events. They also must adhere to all laws, including those pertaining to underage drinking.