Four members of a San Diego State University fraternity have been charged with felony hazing and other offenses following an incident during a pledge event that left a fellow student with third-degree burns. The alleged hazing event occurred in early November 2024 and involved the use of a ‘fire’ skit, which witnesses described as extremely dangerous. According to court documents, the fraternity members are identified as 19-year-old Michael Porlas, 20-year-old Lucas Smiley, 20-year-old Nathanial Garfinkel, and 19-year-old Sean O’Leary.
The injured pledge, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered burns to over 30% of his body and was hospitalized for treatment. The fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, has since been suspended by the university pending the outcome of the investigation. University officials released a statement emphasizing their commitment to student safety and the seriousness of hazing. “Hazing is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the statement read.
Legal experts noted that the charges, which include horrifying acts of recklessness, could lead to serious consequences for the fraternity members, including potential jail time. The fraternity brothers are scheduled to appear in court on January 18, 2025. The District Attorney’s office released a statement urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. “We want to ensure that incidents like this do not occur in the future, and that all students feel safe while participating in university activities,” the statement noted.
