Columbus police released a 911 call on Tuesday that provides a dramatic account of an alleged hazing incident at an Ohio State University fraternity. The call, made on Sunday, described a video circulating in a sorority group chat that appears to show pledges being set on fire during an event held the previous day. The caller described the scene as chaotic, stating that individuals put gasoline on a victim and lit him on fire while standing by and laughing.
According to the recording, the caller emphasized their desire to submit the footage so that action could be taken. They noted that they were not present in person at the time of the incident but received the video through digital communication channels. The caller’s description highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the individuals involved appeared to be mocking the victims as the fire spread.
In a preliminary report released on Tuesday, Columbus police detailed their initial findings regarding the incident, which allegedly involved the university's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The report stated that two victims participated in an activity that was deemed dangerous. As a result of this activity, both individuals sustained second-degree and third-degree burns. The police report did not identify the specific individuals involved in the investigation.
Police officials also confirmed that they spoke with George Limperis, the president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter. According to the redacted report, Limperis provided a statement to the authorities, though no further specific details from his account were included in the public release. The university itself announced on Monday that it had temporarily suspended the fraternity while the investigation into the video continues.
The video, which has since been widely shared across social media platforms, captures a large gathering of people, many of whom are wearing the university's distinctive red and white colors. In the footage, a man is seen sitting on the ground with his sweatpants ablaze. In a moment of panic, he lunges toward a second person and tackles them. The impact causes the second man's clothing to catch fire as well.
Both men are then seen rolling on the ground in an attempt to extinguish the flames and remove their burning clothing. Several bystanders are visible trying to assist the victims as the fire rages. The visual evidence aligns with the verbal description provided by the 911 caller, reinforcing the narrative of a severe hazing event.
Ohio State University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson addressed the incident in a statement released on Monday. He confirmed that the university is aware of the extremely concerning event and that the individuals involved are currently receiving medical care. Johnson emphasized that Ohio State is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, expecting all students and student organizations to uphold that standard and reflect the university's core values.
In a separate statement issued on the same day, Steve Mitchell, the CEO of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, acknowledged his awareness of the video. He stated that the national organization is actively working with university officials and local law enforcement to address the situation. Mitchell stressed that the fraternity holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability.
Mitchell further noted that behavior violating these established standards has no place within the organization. The national leadership expressed its commitment to holding those responsible accountable. They indicated that appropriate action would be taken based on the final findings of the ongoing investigation, aiming to resolve the matter thoroughly.
