MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Three men are facing felony charges after authorities said they carried out a fraternity hazing incident involving prolonged beatings with canes and paddles that left victims hospitalized.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Sweetwater Police Chief Sergio Diez announced the arrests of 29-year-old Marquez Christopher Pinder, 26-year-old Jared Lamar James and 29-year-old Elijah Delano Dyous.

Authorities said an investigation uncovered evidence of alleged hazing incidents involving prolonged and repeated beatings with canes and paddles. They said failing to correctly answer questions about the fraternity allegedly led to the beatings.

According to investigators, the alleged hazing began April 1, 2026, at an apartment in Sweetwater and continued through April 2 and April 3 at the same location. On April 4, authorities said the alleged hazing continued at a residence in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Pinder, James and Dyous are each charged with two counts of attempted manslaughter with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm and hazing with a deadly weapon.

Authorities said the alleged hazing was carried out by the three men.

“Among some, fraternity hazing might be seen as a tradition creating a sense of belonging and brotherhood, but since 2001, hazing in Florida has killed Chad Meredith, Robert Champion and Andrew Coffey while seriously injuring others. This case, with the victims requiring hospitalization, provide clear-cut examples of hazing’s danger,” State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said.

“In Florida, hazing is abuse and it is a crime. Its victims too often lie in their graves and in hospital beds,” she said.

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