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Ohio State Suspends Sigma Alpha Epsilon After Video Shows People On Fire
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OSU interim-suspended Sigma Alpha Epsilon after video appears to show two people on fire. University says incident occurred over the weekend and referred matter to law enforcement.
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Video Triggers Interim Suspension
Ohio State University placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter on interim suspension after a weekend incident that reportedly left individuals needing medical care. OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said, "The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care," and the university said it made referrals to law enforcement. Columbus Police Department said the incident appeared to occur Saturday on a block near the university, and police said they were alerted Sunday about the video circulating online.
NBC News described a video in which one person with pants engulfed in flames tackles another person, and both then run around and attempt to shed their clothing while others try to help stamp out the flames. WCMH said the reported incident occurred Saturday in the 1900 block of Indianola Avenue, and it described bystanders intervening as the two participants fall to the ground and begin to take their sweatpants off.
Police, Fire Unit, and Unclear Facts
Columbus Police said it would work with Ohio State University and the Columbus Division of Fire’s Arson Unit to determine if any criminal acts occurred.
Columbus Police Sgt Joe Albert said it appears the matter took place on Saturday, and he said police did not receive any calls for service at the location but someone called Sunday evening reporting that the video was circulating online.
NBC News said there were no initial calls about the matter Saturday but the department was alerted Sunday about the video.
WCMH reported that the severity of the injuries to the two individuals is unknown and it is not yet known if any charges have been filed.
The Columbus Dispatch said Columbus police confirmed the department is investigating the incident and said the video appears to have happened on Nov. 7, while it also said police did not receive any calls for service to the area on Nov. 7 and responded on Nov. 8 after being alerted of the video.
Fraternity Response and Next Steps
Sigma Alpha Epsilon CEO Steve Mitchell said the national headquarters was aware of the video and that the fraternity is actively investigating the circumstances while working closely with relevant authorities. Mitchell said, "Sigma Alpha Epsilon holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability," and he added, "Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization." OSU said the interim suspension prevents Sigma Alpha Epsilon from holding or participating in activities as a registered student organization while the investigation is pending, and it also required the chapter to pause all new-member activities.
614NOW said the chapter’s Instagram account has been made private, and it said OSU placed the fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation. The Lantern said the Ohio State chapter is labeled as an inactive student organization on an Ohio State website, and it reported that the fraternity made its Instagram account private after the suspension.