Updated 08:11 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

19-Year-Old Baruch College Freshman Dies in Fraternity Hazing Ritual

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Police are investigating the death of a New York City college freshman who was fatally injured during a fraternity hazing ritual over the weekend.

Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng, a 19-year-old student at Baruch College in Manhattan, traveled to a rented home in Tunkhannock Township in Pennsylvania's Poconos with 20 other members of the Pi Delta Psi fraternity. It is believed that while he was there he participated in a ritual that required pledges to navigate a path while blindfolded, wearing weighted bags and being repeatedly knocked to the ground, authorities said Wednesday.

Deng died Monday morning after suffering from "major brain trauma" during the ritual, said the Monroe County district attorney's office according to NBC News.

After Deng was knocked unconscious, members of the Asian American frat brought him inside and eventually drove him to the emergency room.

"Shortly after beginning treatment, physicians determined Deng suffered major brain trauma and he was placed on life support," the DA's office said in a press release.

No one has been charged in the investigation yet.

Baruch College, which is part of the City University of New York, said the pledging event was "unsanctioned" and that the school has a "zero-tolerance policy" for hazing.

"The preliminary reports indicate that Michael died over the weekend while participating in an unsanctioned fraternity pledging event," said the CUNY school in a statement according to CBS News. "Baruch College had no knowledge of this event or that the fraternity was rushing a pledge class. Pi Delta Psi did not request permission nor were they approved by Baruch on this matter."

The statement continued saying, "Michael's death is a deeply painful reminder that no individual should ever be put into a position where his or her personal safety is in jeopardy. Our deepest sympathies go out to Michael's family and his friends."

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