Fraternity pledge dies at UCI; group suspended

Kenny Luong, 19, of Rosemead, died Tuesday of head injuries sustained

during a weekend football game at UC Irvine with members of the

fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon.

Irvine police are investigating whether the game, played without

helmets or protective gear, constituted a hazing ritual.

UC Irvine has suspended its chapter of the Lambda Phi Epsilon

fraternity following the death, Media Relations Director Jim Cohen

said.

Due to the suspension, the fraternity, which has existed at UCI

since 1989, will be unable to register as an organization for the

fall quarter, sponsor events on campus or use campus facilities for

activities.

Cohen said that such occurrences are rare at UCI.

“There have been five reported incidents in history of hazing at

UCI, and in only three cases was evidence found to support the

charges of hazing,” he said.

Luong was not a UCI student, according to published reports.