Mother seeks answers after Fullerton student dies following fraternity event

The mother of an 18-year-old Cal State Fullerton freshman who died after an off-campus fraternity event is seeking answers and accountability as police investigate, according to NBC Los Angeles. Police said no one called 911 after Anthony Joseph Blas became unresponsive.

The investigation centers on an off-campus event involving an Orange County university student, with police saying alcohol appeared to have contributed to his death. The university said the fraternity under investigation was not affiliated with the school.

Blas became unresponsive during the event, and a group took him to the emergency department at St. Jude Medical Center, according to NBC Los Angeles' account of the police investigation. Police confirmed that 911 was not called.

His mother, Linda Blas, said her son was two weeks into his freshman year and had recently been accepted into a fraternity. She questioned why he was given alcohol and why those at the event did not call for emergency help.

Linda Blas said a fire station was two blocks from the fraternity house. She questioned the decision to take her son to the hospital rather than call 911, while acknowledging she did not know whether a different response would have saved him, NBC Los Angeles reported.

Fullerton police said alcohol consumption appeared to be a contributing factor in the death. Police initially said they did not believe hazing or foul play was involved but said they were not completely ruling anything out as the investigation continued.

Cal State Fullerton said the fraternity being investigated had no university affiliation and asked anyone with information to contact campus police, according to NBC Los Angeles.