Caleb Wilson died as a result of a hazing incident.
Caleb McCray, 23, a Southern University graduate and current member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, surrendered to authorities on March 6 and was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter in connection with Wilson's death, which occurred after an alleged off-campus fraternity ritual. McCray has since been released on bond, according to local reports.
The arrest comes as Southern University, a historically Black institution, grapples with renewed concerns about hazing practices within Greek organizations despite strict anti-hazing policies and mandatory training programs.
"Caleb Wilson died as the direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times while pledging to Omega Psi Phi fraternity," Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Thomas Morse Jr. said during a March 7 news conference.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Wilson and eight other fraternity pledges were taken to a warehouse in Baton Rouge on February 26, where they changed into gray sweatsuits. The pledges were then lined up and each punched four times in the chest by at least three people wearing boxing gloves. Witnesses stated that McCray allegedly delivered four punches to Wilson's chest.
Following the punches, Wilson appeared to suffer a seizure and collapsed. Rather than calling emergency services, fraternity members later transported Wilson to Baton Rouge General Medical Center, where they allegedly provided false information, claiming Wilson had collapsed while playing basketball. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In response to the tragedy, Southern University has launched an internal investigation and ordered the Omega Psi Phi chapter to cease all activities. Additionally, the university has implemented a ban on all Greek organizations from accepting new members for at least the remainder of the academic year.
