Three Students Charged in Connection to Hazing Death of Southern University Student

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – In a tragic turn of events that has shaken the Southern University and A&M College community, three students are facing charges in connection with the alleged hazing death of Caleb Wilson, a promising student and member of the university’s renowned "Human Jukebox" marching band. The announcement was made by police on Friday, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Wilson’s untimely passing and sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred last month, during which Wilson, who was pledging to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, collapsed during an off-campus event. He was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead, leaving a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the entire Southern University family.

The Accused and the Charges

Caleb McCray, 23, faces the most serious charges, including felony manslaughter and criminal hazing leading to serious injury or death. According to court documents and records obtained by USA TODAY, McCray’s bail has been set at $100,000, with a bond review scheduled for May 29.

Isaiah Smith, 28, and Kyle Thurman, 25, have also been charged in connection with Wilson’s death. All three individuals are students at Southern University and A&M College, as confirmed by a university spokesperson. Smith is a graduate student, while McCray and Thurman are undergraduate students.

Thurman was apprehended in Port Allen on Monday and subsequently extradited to Baton Rouge. Smith turned himself in to authorities early Tuesday morning. As of Tuesday afternoon, it remained unclear who would be representing Smith and Thurman in court.

Details of the Incident Emerge

During a livestreamed press conference on Friday, Baton Rouge Chief of Police Thomas Morse Jr. provided a detailed account of the events leading up to Wilson’s death. He revealed that McCray had turned himself in on March 6 and was booked at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Chief Morse explained that Wilson was taken to the hospital after collapsing during an off-campus incident related to his pledging activities with the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Initially, the individuals who transported Wilson to the hospital claimed that he had collapsed while playing basketball at a park on North Sherwood Forest Drive in Baton Rouge. However, detectives later discovered that this account was false.

The investigation revealed that the incident actually occurred at a warehouse located on Woodcrest Drive, approximately 3 ½ miles away from the park. According to reports from WAFB, fraternity members were allegedly punching pledges with boxing gloves when Wilson was struck in the chest and collapsed. The initial autopsy results were inconclusive, further complicating the investigation.

Adding another layer to the controversy, the warehouse where Wilson collapsed is reportedly co-rented by Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. and Todd Smith, the father of Isaiah Smith, one of the individuals charged in connection with Wilson’s death. Todd Smith, who is also an Omega, confirmed this information to WAFB.

"Wilson died as the direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times while pledging to (the) Omega Psi Phi fraternity," Chief Morse stated. He further emphasized that no one called 911 to seek medical assistance for Wilson at the warehouse.

Legal Ramifications and the Max Gruver Act

Chief Morse addressed the legal considerations surrounding the charges against the three students, explaining that Louisiana law recognizes five degrees of homicide: first-degree homicide, second-degree homicide, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide.

"In this case, manslaughter is the most appropriate charge in the state of Louisiana," Morse said. He noted that while it may not be possible to prove an intent to kill Wilson, his death occurred during the commission of another felony – criminal hazing.

District Attorney Hillar C. Moore III of East Baton Rouge indicated that prosecutors may also consider the Max Gruver Act, a Louisiana law enacted in 2018 in response to the hazing death of Max Gruver, a Louisiana State University freshman. The Max Gruver Act imposes fines and jail time for non-fatal hazing, as well as suspensions and other penalties for those involved. It also includes provisions for fines and potential prison sentences for failing to provide assistance to injured individuals.

University Response and Community Grief

In the wake of Wilson’s death, Southern University has taken swift action, implementing a ban on membership intake for all student organizations. The university has also initiated its student judiciary process and reiterated its commitment to providing rigorous anti-hazing training for on-campus organizations.

Dennis Shields, President of the Southern University System, expressed his deep sadness over Wilson’s passing and announced that the Baton Rouge campus chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity has been ordered to cease all activities. He further stated that all campus Greek organizations have been informed that no additional membership intake will be permitted for the remainder of the academic year. Expulsion remains a possibility for those found responsible.

Mayor-President Sid Edwards, who met with Wilson’s family, emphasized the need for change in Baton Rouge, urging young people to make better decisions.

The community has rallied together to support Wilson’s family, establishing the Caleb Wilson Foundation to accept donations. Funeral arrangements have been made, with a viewing and celebration of life service scheduled for Friday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on campus, followed by a viewing and service at Wilson’s church in Kenner on Saturday.

A Call for Justice and Change

The tragic death of Caleb Wilson has ignited a firestorm of emotions, prompting calls for justice, accountability, and meaningful change to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. As the legal proceedings unfold and the investigation continues, the Southern University community and the wider Baton Rouge community are united in their grief and determination to honor Wilson’s memory by creating a safer and more supportive environment for all students.