Northern Arizona University student dies during fraternity ‘snap’ event, three arrested
An 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student died during an off-campus “sprint” and three Delta Tau Delta fraternity members were arrested on suspicion of hazing, according to Flagstaff police.
Authorities did not release the name of the student who died.
The death shocked the school, which has about 20,000 students on its Flagstaff campus. “This is a devastating loss and our thoughts are with his family, friends and all members of the community,” the university said in an unsigned statement.
Police were called to a house on South Pinegrove Road at 8:44 a.m. on January 31 and found the 18-year-old unresponsive. Officers and later paramedics tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead inside the home, Flagstaff police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Lintala said.
Detectives interviewed witnesses at the residence and executed a search warrant, Lintala said.
Lintala said the deceased student had attended a party at the residence the night before that was determined to be an “emergency” event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Lintala said several people, including the deceased student, were drinking.
Three NAU students and Delta Tau Delta fraternity members were arrested on criminal hazing charges and are being held in the Coconino County Detention Facility, Lintala said.
They were identified as Carter Eslick, 20, the fraternity’s new membership educator; Ryan Creech, 20, the fraternity’s vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, the fraternity’s treasurer. Lintala said they are both on the fraternity’s executive board.
The university announced in a Jan. 31 statement that it had temporarily suspended the Delta Tau Delta chapter as school officials conduct an investigation into student conduct that is separate from the criminal investigation.
Counseling and support resources are available to faculty and staff, the university said.
“We appreciate the Flagstaff Police Department’s efforts to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds,” the school statement said. “We want to be clear: the safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority. Violence, bullying, or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.”
The national fraternity, which oversees local chapters, issued a statement on Feb. 1.
Jack Kreman, CEO of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity, said in a prepared statement that the organization is “aware and deeply saddened” by the student’s death and confirmed that NAU’s Theta Omega chapter has been suspended.
“Our position on hazing is clear: It is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of Delta Tau Delta values,” Klayman said.
He added that the chapter is prohibited from holding events while a law enforcement investigation and internal review of the fraternity is ongoing, and members are encouraged to cooperate with authorities.
The fraternity said it would not provide further details about the arrests or the dead students.
Lintala said detectives are continuing to follow leads, review evidence and coordinate with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.
“Out of respect for the family of the deceased and pending the outcome of the investigation, no further details will be released at this time,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Flagstaff Police Department (928-774-1414) or Silent Witness (928-774-6111).
This article originally appeared in The Arizona Republic: Northern Arizona University student dies, three fraternity officials arrested