Fraternity brothers turn ‘rush’ event into ‘hazing’ party where freshman pledge died
Insets, left to right: Carter Eslick, Ryan Creech and Riley Cass (Coconino County Sheriff's Office). Background: Outside the Arizona home where a Delta Tau Delta fraternity pledge died during a "rush" event where "hazing" was reported by police (AZ Family/YouTube).
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An 18-year-old college student in Arizona has died after a fraternity “rush” event that turned into an alcohol-fueled hazing party, according to local authorities.
The student, in his second semester at Northern Arizona University, was a pledge candidate at a Delta Tau Delta event held on South Pine Grove Road in Flagstaff on Friday night, police and students said.
“Alcohol consumption was reported among numerous attendees, including pledge candidates,” the Flagstaff Police Department said in a statement.
Authorities were called Saturday morning after the teen was found unresponsive at the off-campus residence where the Delta Tau Delta party occurred.
“Bystanders inside the home started CPR before police arrived,” the department said. “Officers found the individual not breathing and continued life-saving efforts until paramedics arrived. Despite these efforts, the student was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Three Northern Arizona University students who are also members of Delta Tau Delta were arrested and booked at the Coconino County Detention Facility on hazing charges. They have been identified as 20-year-olds Carter Eslick (new member educator), Ryan Creech (vice president), and Riley Cass (treasurer). All three serve on the fraternity’s executive board.
The arrests followed searches and witness interviews conducted by police the day after the party.
“Preliminary information indicates the deceased attended a gathering the previous evening, identified as a ‘rush’ event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity,” authorities said. “Investigators are continuing to review evidence, follow leads, and coordinate with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.”
Delta Tau Delta issued a statement saying it was “aware and deeply saddened by the tragic incident” and pledged to cooperate with authorities.
“The fraternity is committed to working with local officials and Northern Arizona University to understand what led to this tragedy,” the statement said. The chapter has been placed on interim suspension, barring all activities pending the outcome of professional and internal investigations.
“Our position on hazing is clear: it violates the values of Delta Tau Delta,” the statement added. The fraternity emphasized its support for anti-hazing laws, including Arizona’s “Jack’s Law” and the federal 2024 Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Northern Arizona University also released a statement expressing condolences and confirming the event occurred off-campus.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities,” NAU said. “We have interim suspended Delta Tau Delta while a full investigation is conducted. This loss has deeply affected our campus community.”
Students expressed shock at the incident. “It’s crazy that people here could haze someone to such an extent that a kid is gone. It’s so daunting,” one student told local Fox affiliate KSAZ. “He was only in his second semester. I’m sad. It’s not fair.”
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