A Northern Arizona University student died at a fraternity event, and three of his fellow students were arrested, police said Saturday.
The deceased student was identified only as an 18-year-old man who was rushing the fraternity Delta Tau Delta, Flagstaff police said in a Facebook post.
Fraternity leaders Carter Eslick, Ryan Creech and Riley Cass, all 20 years old, were arrested and charged with criminal hazing, cops said.
Investigators said the frat held a rush event beginning Friday night that involved alcohol consumption for “pledges,” or students seeking to join the fraternity. Numerous members of the frat were drinking, police said.
Cops responded to a call around 8:45 a.m. Saturday for an unresponsive male at the frat house and arrived to find the victim not breathing and bystanders performing CPR, according to Flagstaff police. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics arrived.
“We appreciate the diligence of the Flagstaff Police Department as they work to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds,” the university said in a statement.
Though many states have instituted anti-hazing laws in recent years, deaths at fraternity events are hardly unheard of. Last year, 20-year-old Southern University student Caleb Wilson died at an event, leading to criminal charges.
