An LSU fraternity has been suspended while the university investigates "potential violations of the LSU Code of Student Conduct" after a student was hospitalized Monday, reports The Advocate.
According to LSU's Associate Dean of Students, the interim suspension of the fraternity means that Phi Kappa Psi members are not allowed to host or participate in social activities or to conduct meetings. Newly initiated members also cannot have any contact with active members.
East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III's office was informed of an LSU police department investigation into a potential hazing incident that led to a student's hospitalization. He said officials are collecting evidence to determine whether or not the incident meets the criminal definition of hazing that was enacted following the death of LSU freshman Max Gruver in 2017. The law redefines criminal hazing and created harsher penalties for those found guilty of the offense.
Moore said the situation looks "unbelievably similar" to the Gruver case. His full statement is below, courtesy WBRZ:
My office was informed by LSU PD about a potential hazing incident that led to an LSU student being hospitalized. The LSU PD is interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence to determine if there are any criminal violations or violations of the new hazing statute. In speaking with the LSU PD detectives, the case looks extremely similar in many aspects to the Gruver case, with the exception that there is not a death. At this point, it appears everybody who has been requested to be questioned has been cooperative. The incident in question occurred Sunday night into Monday morning.
LSU said Monday that it was looking into the incident "that occurred off campus overnight leading to him being hospitalized." According to The Advocate, the student headed to a young woman's apartment after a gathering of Phi Kappa Psi. He was allegedly planning to spend the night there, but was later hospitalized with severe alcohol poisoning. The university updated on Tuesday, according to WBRZ, saying that the student is expected to be ok.
Several hours after the male was hospitalized, the female LSU student was found dead inside her apartment. The coroner's office confirmed on Tuesday that her death has been ruled a suicide. Family members are now seeking answers from the university and are hoping the police investigation will provide more information.
Read more from The Advocate here.
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