Southern University and A&M junior, Caleb Wilson, was pronounced dead last week after a fraternity ritual involving Omega Psi Phi took a grave turn. While law enforcement is actively investigating the incident, sources close to the investigation have reported that the 20-year-old college student likely died from being punched in the chest during a possible hazing ritual.
As first reported by Nola, Wilson and around 10 other Omega Psi Phi fraternity initiates were punched in the chest during a ritual at a warehouse off Greenwell Springs Road, which didn’t comport with the information that was given to police by the fraternity members. Instead, the pledges involved in the Feb. 27 hazing ritual said that the incident took place in a local park, not a warehouse off-campus. During the fraternity ritual, Wilson collapsed and was taken to Baton Rouge hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Southern University issued an official statement shortly after Wilson’s death, expressing:
The campus community extends condolences to his family, classmates and loved ones.
Southern University
Southern is cooperating fully with the Baton Rouge police department, which is in charge of the investigation. No further information is available at this time.
Since the hazing incident occurred, Southern University has suspended all membership activities including fraternity, sorority and student organization activities on campus, according to WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans.
On March 5, however, Southern University shared an update on Facebook regarding the ongoing criminal investigation. In it, the institute wrote: “As stated in University policies, all organizations on campus are required to undergo rigorous anti-hazing training and are held to high standards related to membership intake processes. Any breaches of these policies prompt disciplinary sanctions.”
A beloved member of Southern University’s marching band the Human Jukebox and a Kenner native, Caleb Wilson was studying Mechanical Engineering before the tragic incident occurred. Fellow alumni Ma’Tajah Peterson spoke to WVUE FOX 8 and reflected on how much of a positive impact Wilson made on those around him, saying: “Everybody on campus love the Human Jukebox, even people who don’t go here. So, for them to lose a member of the band, I know is gonna be hard on them.”
In a statement from Sheriff Joe Lopinto, he penned, “The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office extends its condolences to Deputy Corey Wilson and his family following the heartbreaking loss of his son Caleb.”
