Cal State Fullerton freshman, 18, dies after off-campus fraternity gathering

Anthony Joseph Blas, an 18-year-old Cal State Fullerton freshman, died early Sunday, Sept. 13, after attending an off-campus fraternity gathering in Fullerton, police said.

Blas was dropped off unresponsive at the emergency department of St. Jude Medical Center around midnight. Hospital staff tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

He had started college only a few weeks earlier. According to the post, Blas had reportedly been pledging the fraternity and learned that Saturday that he had been accepted, then went to the house to celebrate. That detail has not been confirmed by police.

What police say

Detectives said Blas attended a function at an "unaffiliated fraternity" near Associated Road and Milton Avenue, just off campus. Their preliminary investigation indicates alcohol consumption appears to have been a contributing factor.

Police said there is no evidence of foul play and hazing is not currently considered a factor. The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death, which remains under investigation.

Fullerton police said no one called 911. A group of people took Blas to the hospital themselves, NBC Los Angeles reported, and service records show a disturbance party was reported at the house that night.

The family wants answers

In a statement reported by theGrio, Blas' family said it was "deeply concerned that hazing may have played a role" and called for a "complete and transparent investigation."

"One of the most troubling questions for our family is why 911 was not called when Anthony was found unresponsive," the family said. Relatives want investigators to establish who was there and when people realized he was in distress, and they asked anyone with photos, videos or messages from the gathering to preserve them and share them with police. The family said it was not making conclusions about any individual's responsibility.

His mother, Linda Blas, told NBC Los Angeles that someone should be held responsible for serving alcohol to an 18-year-old.

The house and the fraternity

The family identified the fraternity connected to the gathering as Delta Chi. Property and tax records cited by NBC Los Angeles show the house is owned by Delta Chi's alumni association.

Cal State Fullerton has not recognized Delta Chi since April 2021, citing violations that included hazing and conduct that endangers others. The national organization said its CSUF chapter has not been recognized, chartered or authorized since it was closed in 2021, and that it supports a thorough and transparent review.

Records obtained by NBC Los Angeles show Fullerton police responded to the house more than 250 times since January 2021, mostly for disturbances and loud music. No citations or fines were issued there, according to the station.

Campus response

Cal State Fullerton said it was aware of the death of a student "over the weekend at an off-campus residence." The university said it is supporting affected students and offering counseling through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and referred questions to Fullerton police.

What’s next

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death. No charges or citations had been reported as of NBC Los Angeles' Oct. 2 report. Anyone with information can contact Fullerton police Detective Carrillo at 714-738-5361, or leave an anonymous tip with OC Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.