The hazing death of Baruch College freshman Chun "Michael" Deng, who suffered severe head trauma during a fraternity game in December, has been ruled a homicide.
Luzerne County Coroner’s Office in eastern Pennsylvania
announced the ruling this week but no charges have yet been filed, according to CBS News.
Urgent: Do You Approve Or Disapprove of President Obama's Job Performance? Vote Now in Urgent Poll
Deng, a 19-year-old Pi Delta Psi pledge, reportedly
sustained major head injuries during a game known as the Gauntlet, which took place Dec. 8 during a weekend retreat in the Pocono Mountains.
On that night, 30 or so Pi Delta Psi members from Baruch reportedly blindfolded four freshman pledges, including Deng, strapped heavy sandbags to their backs, and instructed them to make their way from a designated starting point to their fraternity "big brothers" while other members tackled them.
Deng was injured at some point during the game, but was not taken to the hospital until more than hour after he was knocked unconscious, according to a police affidavit obtained by CBS News. He was placed on life support and died on Dec. 9.
Pi Delta Psi members initially told police Deng hit his head while wrestling in the yard, but later admitted that they had been playing a ritual hazing game called the Gauntlet.
Some of the brothers also reportedly tried to cover up the fact that they were on a fraternity retreat.
"While at the hospital, [Charles Lai, Deng's pledge big brother] made a phone call, using his cellular phone, to a male at the residence and told him to dispose of all fraternity memorabilia and items," the affidavit reads.
It was later discovered that the brothers brought Deng inside the house, changed his clothes, and Googled his symptoms before calling 911 or seeking medical help.
Editor's Note: Do You Support Obamacare? Vote in Urgent National Poll
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.