911 Call Reveals Gasoline Used in Ohio State Fraternity Hazing Incident
A new 911 call alleges gasoline was used in an Ohio State fraternity hazing incident. Police report severe burns; the chapter faces interim suspension.
POLICY WIRE — Columbus, United States — Authorities have released a 911 recording alleging that two fraternity pledges were set on fire using gasoline during a social gathering at Ohio State University.
The audio, obtained by CBS News and reviewed by CNN, captures a woman reporting to a Columbus Division of Police dispatcher that the incident was captured on a 35-second video.
They put gasoline on him and lit him on fire, and then just kind of stood there and laughed, the caller stated in the recording.
The woman explained that she viewed the footage through a sorority group chat and was not physically present at the event.
She described the condition of the two victims, noting that one extinguished the flames quickly while the other remained lit and undressed as the recording ended.
Video evidence shows a hooded individual with pants engulfed in flames jumping up to knock another hooded figure to the ground, with both men’s clothing on fire as a crowd watches.
Columbus police report indicates both students were treated for moderate second- and third-degree burns following the Saturday incident.
Ben Johnson, a spokesperson for Ohio State University, confirmed that the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has been placed on interim suspension while officials investigate.
Johnson emphasized the university’s commitment to safety, stating that the individuals involved are receiving necessary medical care.
Steve Mitchell, CEO of the national Sigma Alpha Epsilon, stated the organization is collaborating with university officials and law enforcement.
Mitchell asserted that conduct violating the organization’s standards has no place in the fraternity and that appropriate action will follow the investigation’s findings.
According to The Lantern archives, the chapter has been sanctioned at least seven times since 2001.
Recent national attention on fraternity culture has intensified following separate allegations against Cornell University’s Chi Phi chapter, which are currently under review.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)