The hazing death of a 19-year-old Baruch College freshman is ruled a homicide Friday. According to the Luzerne County Coroner Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng died from a traumatic head injury following a Pi Delta Psi pledging ritual Dec. 8.
Deng, a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, was one of four pledges who accompanied about 30 fraternity members to a house in the Poconos. Deng was blindfolded in a violent game and was forced to carry a sand backpack full whilst members jumped on him while trying to walk. The game was ultimately stopped after Deng became unconscious.
Without calling 911, about three members of the fraternity took Deng to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center an hour later. He suffered from several injuries - scratches on his hip, a cut on his wrist, bruises on his knees and massive head trauma - during the ritual. The student had no drugs or alcohol in his system, NBC New York reports.
The college officials said that the event was not authorized. The school's chapter of the Pi Delta Psi fraternity was eventually banned from campus. The national chapter annulled the memberships of its members for violating the fraternity's values and anti-hazing policy.
The officials haven't slapped any charges in connection to Deng's death.
"Baruch College supports the ongoing efforts of Monroe County law enforcement to hold responsible those involved in the tragic death of Baruch student Michael Deng; a deeply painful reminder that no individual should ever be placed in a position where his or her personal safety is in jeopardy," a spokeswoman for the college said, DNAinfo reports.
"Along with its own internal review, which is ongoing, Baruch is continuing to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities as this matter is investigated."
