3 Arizona fraternity leaders arrested on hazing charges following death of 18-year-old pledge

Three leaders of an Arizona university's fraternity have been arrested on criminal hazing charges after an 18-year-old student died at a rush event over the weekend, according to police.

The teenager, a student at Northern Arizona University, was found unresponsive around 8:44 a.m. local time on Saturday at an off-campus residence associated with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity near the Flagstaff college campus, according to statements from the Flagstaff Police Department and the university.

Despite life-saving measures being taken by bystanders at the residence and police officers, the student was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The name of the student was not immediately released.

Police officers executed search warrants at the residence where the student died and interviewed several witnesses.

The cause and manner of the student's death is pending an autopsy by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, police said.

"Preliminary information indicates the deceased male, a Northern Arizona University (NAU) student, attended a gathering at the residence the previous evening, identified as a 'rush' event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity," according to the police statement. "Alcohol consumption was reported to have occurred by numerous individuals in attendance, including pledge candidates, which includes the deceased male."

As a result of the investigation, three students, all executive board members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, were arrested on the criminal charge of hazing, police said.

The students arrested were identified by police as Carter Eslick, Ryan Creech and Riley Cass, all 20 years old, according to police.

The three students were booked at the Coconino County Detention Facility, according to police. It was unclear on Sunday if any of the students had hired an attorney.

"The investigation is active and ongoing," police said.

Northern Arizona University released a statement, saying, "This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving."

The university said it is aware of the ongoing investigation and the arrests of the three students.

"We appreciate the diligence of the Flagstaff Police Department as they work to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds," the university said.

The university said it is reviewing the incident and has suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity "to allow a full investigation to take place and prioritize student safety." The school said it offers fraternities "robust hazing prevention training" and has "high standards of conduct" for all NAU-associated organizations and individual students.

"We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority," the university said. "Violence, hazing and any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU."

The Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity released a statement saying, it is "deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Northern Arizona University involving members of the local chapter."

"Pending the outcome of both the professional investigation and the subsequent internal investigation by Fraternity officials, the chapter remains on interim suspension," said Jack Kreman, CEO of the Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. "During this time, the chapter is prohibited from any activities, and all associated operations have ceased."

Kreman added, "Our position on hazing is clear: it is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta."