Frat members at San Diego State University charged after pledge set on fire during party skit
Share and Follow

Four members of San Diego State University’s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity are facing felony charges after a skit performed at a party last year led to a pledge being set on fire.

The member set on fire suffered third-degree burns that covered more than 16% of his body as a result of the skit performed on Feb. 17, prosecutors said.

Caden Cooper, 22; Lucas Cowling, 20; Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, were each charged Monday with at least one felony, and all four pleaded not guilty. Larsen was the person set on fire.

The charges include recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and violating the social host ordinance. If convicted of all charges, the defendants could face seven years in prison.

San Diego State University

Hepner Hall on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU), part of the California State University (CSU) system, in San Diego, California, on Thursday, July 9, 2020. (Getty Images)

The four were released from jail and ordered to return to court March 18 to prepare for a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 16.

They were also ordered not to participate in any fraternity parties or recruitment events and to follow alcohol laws.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Student devastated after mugshot used for viral fake assault story

Student’s Life Turned Upside Down by Viral Hoax Featuring Mugshot

A Texas college student found herself at the center of unwanted attention…
Trump axes chief saboteur of Musk relationship in White House shakeup

Trump Restructures White House Team, Removing Key Figure in Musk Relationship Tensions

Donald Trump has removed a key obstacle in his relationship with Elon…
‘No Kings’ protest could attract paid agitators and foreign influence, crowd-for-hire CEO warns

‘No Kings’ protest could attract paid agitators and foreign influence, crowd-for-hire CEO warns

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The head of a…
Diane Keaton put her 'dream home' on market as health took sudden turn

Diane Keaton Lists ‘Dream Home’ Amid Health Concerns: A Closer Look at Her Bold Move

Diane Keaton had put her ‘dream home’ on the market as her…
Food desert spreads in America's barbecue capital

Unveiling the Hidden Hunger: Food Deserts Emerge in America’s Barbecue Heartland

It’s known as the barbecue capital but grocery stores closing on both…
Heavy rain in Mexico sets off floods and landslides, killing at least 41

Heavy rain in Mexico sets off floods and landslides, killing at least 41

POZA RICA, Mexico — Some people in the low-lying working class neighborhoods…
CDC rushes to hire back top scientists sent layoff notices in 'error'

CDC Seeks to Rehire Leading Scientists After Unintentional Layoff Notices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was plunged into disarray…
Florida Missing Child Alert canceled for 2-year-old last seen in Jacksonville

Man, 20s, dead after crashing motorcycle into car on Kings Road in Jacksonville

The crash happened at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of…