Four members of San Diego State University's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity are now facing felony charges following a hazing incident last year that left a pledge with severe burns. During a fraternity skit performed at a party on February 17, 2024, a pledge suffered third-degree burns over 16% of his body after being set on fire.

The accused individuals, Caden Cooper (22), Lucas Cowling (20), Christopher Serrano (20), and Lars Larsen (19), the injured pledge, were arraigned on Monday. Each faces at least one felony charge, including recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public, and violating the social host ordinance. All four pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.

At the time of the incident, Cooper was the fraternity's president, Cowling served on the Pledge Board, while Serrano and Larsen were pledges. Prosecutors allege that Larsen and Serrano, both underage at the time, consumed alcohol in Cowling's presence prior to the skit. The skit, planned by Cowling, Serrano, and Larsen, involved Serrano setting Larsen on fire. Larsen required weeks of hospitalization to treat his injuries, primarily to his legs.

Following the incident, prosecutors claim Cowling, Larsen, and Cooper attempted to obstruct the investigation by providing false information to law enforcement, deleting social media evidence, and instructing other fraternity members to do the same. This incident follows a pattern of problematic behavior within the university's Greek life. Several fraternities at San Diego State have been under scrutiny in recent years for various violations, including hazing and alcohol-related issues. Phi Kappa Psi was already on probation for violations of university policies on alcohol and hazing at the time of the burning incident.

Previous incidents include a 2020 investigation into allegations that a fraternity leader encouraged blackout drinking and a 2019 incident involving a freshman's death after falling from a bunk bed following a night of drinking with his fraternity. The four defendants in this case have been released from jail and are due back in court on March 18 for a pre-preliminary hearing, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 16. They have been ordered to refrain from participating in fraternity activities and to comply with alcohol laws.