The tragic drowning of a UC Berkeley student at an off-campus frat party has been confirmed as 19-year-old George Mauricio Salinas from San Diego. KTVU reported that the incident took place at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house on November 17, where Salinas was critically injured and subsequently passed away after several days in a local hospital.
Authorities were dispatched to the party at the fraternity's house on Prospect Street after reports of a possible drowning around 11:25 PM, uncovering a gathering that consisted of approximately 300 individuals. A state of overcrowding and heavy alcohol consumption was noted, which likely contributed to the chaos and the unfortunate event. The San Francisco Chronicle pointed out that despite earlier beliefs, Salinas was not a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. The organization faced immediate repercussions, including a civil notice of violation based on municipal codes and a revoked permit for future events.
In response to the incident, the Alpha Delta Phi national office issued a statement, which was emphasized in the San Francisco Chronicle, stating, "Our hearts go out to the student's family and friends." They also revealed the suspension of the Cal chapter "immediately following the initial reports" of the incident. Meanwhile, the Alameda County Coroner’s office has not yet disclosed an official cause of death for Salinas.
UC Berkeley Student Affairs expressed their condolences for the loss. They affirmed their dedication to student safety. "Our thoughts are with the student, their family, loved ones and friends during this time," the university stated, as cited by The Berkeley Scanner, per Hoodline. The university has also offered support to the student's family and made psychological services available to students affected by the tragedy. The coverage by CBS News Bay Area cited a brief announcement from the fraternity’s national leadership stating that they are cooperating with local authorities and emphasizing safety, yet provided little detail on future preventative measures.
