Baton Rouge police share details in hazing death of Southern University student, more arrests possible

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore and officials with Southern University shared details related to the hazing death of 20-year-old Caleb Wilson.

Wilson was a junior majoring in mechanical engineering at Southern University. He was also a member of the Southern University Human Jukebox.

Police give a timeline of events

Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Thomas Morse Jr. said initial reports indicated Wilson was dropped off at the emergency room by a group of males that stated he collapsed while playing basketball at North Sherwood Forest Community Park.

Detectives uncovered that the location reported initially was not accurate and that the alleged incident took place at a warehouse located on Woodcrest Drive, Morse said.

“Caleb Wilson died as the direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times while pledging,” Morse said.

Morse said no one called 911 or tried to summon an ambulance to the warehouse to give Wilson medical treatment.

The investigation is ongoing.

Former student arrested, more could be made

One suspect was arrested and charged with manslaughter and criminal hazing in connection with the death. Caleb McCray, 23, turned himself into authorities and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Thursday.

Morse said BRPD is drawing up arrest warrants for two more suspects.

Moore said around 15 to 20 people were at the warehouse where Wilson collapsed, which included fraternity members and pledges for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Southern University System President said expulsion is a possibility

The university has paused membership intake for all campus organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and student clubs. The university has also started the student judiciary process and a hazing investigation.

“We want to follow those rules, regulations, due process. They have every right to that. So yes, the expulsion is one of the things that could happen,” said Dennis Shields, president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University and A&M College.

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