Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
four members of San Diego State University The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity faces felony charges after a skit at a party last year led to a pledge being set on fire.
The burned member suffered third-degree burns covering more than 16% of his body as a result of the skit performed on Feb. 17, prosecutors said.
Caden Cooper, 22 years old; Lucas Cowling, 20 years old; Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, were each charged Monday with at least one felony, and all four pleaded not guilty. Larsen was the person burned.
Charges include recklessly setting a fire causing serious bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and violating the social shelter ordinance. If convicted on all charges, the defendants could face up to seven years in prison.
FLORIDA FRATERNITY BROTHER WITH BRAIN DAMAGE FROM ROOKIES SENDS LIVE-SAVING WARNING TO FUTURE GREEKS
The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house at San Diego State University on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in San Diego. (AP)
The four defendants were all active members or members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Cooper was the fraternity’s president and Cowling was on the pledge board, while Serrano and Larsen were pledges, prosecutors said.
Larsen and Serrano, who were not of drinking age, also drank alcohol before the sketch in Cowling’s presence.
In recent years, the university’s fraternities have engaged in activities that have led to investigations, and at least half a dozen have been placed on probation in the past two years, according to the university.
In 2020, the university investigated allegations that a fraternity leader promoted alcohol consumption during blackouts. That came a year after the death of a freshman who fell off a bunk bed and broke his skull after drinking with his fraternity the night before.
Students and parents walk across campus during move-in day at San Diego State University in San Diego, California, on Friday, August 21, 2020. (Getty Images)
The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was already underway university probation for violating their alcohol and hazing policies when the party fire incident occurred almost a year ago.
The party involved a skit that included Serrano setting Larsen on fire, according to prosecutors.
Cowling, Serrano and Larsen planned the play in which Serrano set Larsen on fire, according to prosecutors. Larsen was in the hospital for weeks with third-degree burns, mostly on his legs.
After the incident, Cowling, Larsen and Cooper lied to authorities. investigating the incidentHe deleted evidence on social media and told other fraternity members to delete evidence and not talk to anyone about what happened, according to prosecutors.
OLE MISS FRATERNITY SUSPENDED OVER ROOKIE ALLEGATIONS AFTER VIDEO APPEARS
Hepner Hall on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU), part of the California State University (CSU) system, in San Diego, California, on Thursday, July 9, 2020. (Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
All four were released from jail and ordered to return to court on March 18 to prepare for a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 16.
They were also ordered not to participate in fraternity parties or recruiting events and to follow alcohol laws.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
