Pledge Loses Testicle In Frat Hazing Ritual At Wilmington College

A Wilmington College fraternity pledge lost a testicle in a recent hazing incident.

According to an affidavit obtained by The Smoking Gun and other outlets, the 19-year-old was undergoing a battery of rituals Oct. 30 at Gamma Phi Gamma, aka Gobbler House, on the Wilmington, Ohio, campus.

Stripped naked and blindfolded, pledges were swatted with towels and shirts with the ends balled up in knots or with items inside. The affidavit noted that Tyler Lawrence was struck in the testicles and collapsed to the ground in pain, but that the ceremony continued. Afterward, Lawrence complained of intense pain and was taken to a local hospital, where doctors removed a testicle, police confirmed.

Up to 20 students witnessed the hazing or participated, TV station Local 12 notes in the segment above.

The outlet also reported that Lawrence said in an interview that he feels the incident was accidental. On Friday, school spokesman Randy Sarvis told The Huffington Post that he was surprised by the student's reaction.

Police are investigating, and the frat has been placed on temporary suspension, Sarvis said. That means the frat can't host any activities or participate in any activities as an organization.

In the meantime, the school is looking into the matter. "The college has interviewed some students and is conducting its own investigation while cooperating with law enforcement," Sarvis said, adding that part of Wilmington's response "will take into consideration how law enforcement proceeds."

(Hat tip, Jezebel)