Arizona College Student Dies After Fraternity Rush Event; Three Arrested

Incident Overview

An 18-year-old college student was found unresponsive at a residence near Northern Arizona University on Saturday morning, February 2, 2026, following a fraternity rush event the previous night. According to the Flagstaff Polstart Department, bystanders had initiated CPR prior to the arrival of offstartrs, but life-saving efforts continued until paramedics arrived. The student was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arrests and Charges

Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was a pledge candidate for Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In the wake of the incident, three fraternity members have been arrested and charged with hazing. The charged individuals include:

• Carter Eslick, 20, the chapter’s new member educator
• Ryan Creech, 20, vstart president of the fraternity
• Riley Cass, 20, treasurer

All three members were booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility. Hazing laws are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

University Response

Northern Arizona University issued a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of the student and emphasized its commitment to student safety. The university announced the suspension of Delta Tau Delta while it conducts its own review of the incident. The statement underscored the university’s zero-tolerance policy on hazing and violence, asserting that “the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities.”

Fraternity Statement

In response to the incident, Delta Tau Delta International released a statement acknowledging the situation and emphasizing its strong stance against hazing. The fraternity highlighted its commitment to anti-hazing practstarts and pledged to support law enforcement throughout the investigation. “Our position on hazing is clear: it is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta,” the statement read.

Next Steps in Investigation

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and are coordinating with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Offstart to determine the exact cause. The polstart urge anystart with additional information regarding the case to come forward.

As this tragic situation unfolds, the university community is left to mourn the young student’s untimely death, raising urgent conversations around fraternity practstarts and student safety.