SAN DIEGO — Four members of a fraternity at San Diego State University are facing serious felony charges following a dangerous incident during a party last year in which a pledge was burned, leading to substantial injuries. Prosecutors reported that the victim suffered third-degree burns covering 16 percent of his body.
The accused, Caden Cooper, 22; Lucas Cowling, 20; Christopher Serrano, 20; and Lars Larsen, 19, submitted not guilty pleas when they appeared in San Diego Superior Court on Monday. These individuals were affiliated with the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and attempts to reach the fraternity for a statement have not been successful. Emails and voicemails were left for their legal representatives without responses.
Historically, SDSU’s fraternity system has encountered numerous issues prompting official scrutiny, with at least six fraternities placed on probation in the last couple of years, as per the university’s reports. A notable investigation in 2020 looked into claims of a fraternity leader endorsing excessive drinking among members. This scrutiny intensified following a tragic incident where a freshman died after sustaining serious injuries from a fall linked to a night of drinking with fraternity brothers.
The fraternity was under probation at the time of the incident due to prior violations regarding alcohol policies and hazing practices. Nonetheless, on February 17, 2024, fraternity members organized a party at their residence where they allegedly planned a skit that involved setting one of their own, Larsen, on fire, according to the district attorney’s office in San Diego.
Reports indicate that Cowling, Serrano, and Larsen devised the skit during which Serrano ignited Larsen, resulting in critical injuries that required extensive hospitalization. Prosecutors revealed that subsequent to the event, the accused engaged in deceitful behavior, providing misleading information to law enforcement and deleting relevant social media evidence. They allegedly encouraged fellow fraternity members to do the same and advised them against discussing the incident.
The charges brought against the fraternity members include reckless fire causing great bodily injury, conspiracy to engage in harmful acts to the public, and violation of the social host ordinance. Should they be convicted of all counts, they could potentially face imprisonment for up to seven years and two months.
During the time of the incident, Cooper held the position of fraternity president, Cowling was a member of the Pledge Board, while Serrano and Larsen were pledges themselves. Prosecutors further stated that both Larsen and Serrano, not of legal drinking age, consumed alcohol in Cowling’s presence prior to the act.
Although the four individuals were released from custody, they must refrain from participating in fraternity-related activities, including parties and recruitment events, and are required to comply with local alcohol regulations. They are scheduled to return to court on March 18 for preparations leading to a preliminary hearing set to take place on April 16.
