Four members of San Diego State University's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity were charged after a skit at a party last year led to a pledge being set on fire.

Four members of San Diego State University (SDSU)’s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges relating to a stunt that allegedly involved deliberately setting one of its new members, known as a pledge, on fire, causing him to suffer third-degree burns.

The defendants, who were active members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, allegedly hosted a party at their fraternity house on Feb. 17 of last year.

Members of San Diego State's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity had a pledge set another pledge on fire as part of a skit during a party.

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

The Phi Kappa Psi members – Caden Cooper, 22, Lucas Cowling, 20, Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19 – are accused of purposely setting Larsen ablaze during a large frat party while the organization was on probation, according to the San Diego County District Attorney.

Four members of a San Diego State fraternity allegedly gave a pledge third-degree burns as part of a hazing ritual that left the young man in the hospital for weeks.

The defendants, who were active members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, allegedly hosted a party at their fraternity house on Feb. 17 of last year.

After Larsen wound up in the hospital with severe burns, he, Cooper and Cowling tried to cover up the incident, the prosecutor’s office said.

Four members of San Diego State University (SDSU)’s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges relating to a stunt that allegedly involved deliberately setting one of ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house at San Diego State University Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP ...

Bianchi is referring to the Jan. 7 announcement that the San Diego District Attorney's Office criminally charged four members of a San Diego State fraternity in a February 2024 hazing incident where they set a pledge on fire, prosecutors said.