SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Four San Diego State University fraternity members are facing criminal charges after one of the young men sustained third-degree burns on his body during a skit performed at their party, the county District Attorney announced Monday.
The incident occurred last February, when the fraternity was on probation with the university due to issues of hazing and conduct that threatens the health and safety of its members.
Prosecutors say three of the students — Lucas Cowling, Christopher Serrano and Lars Larsen — planned the skit for a party hosted at their fraternity house. According to the district attorney, the act involved Serrano setting Larsen on fire. Both were pledges at the time.
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Larsen sustained third-degree burns to roughly 16% of his body when the skit was performed, largely concentrated along his legs. The 19-year-old spent weeks in the hospital to receive treatment for the injuries, prosecutors say.