Hazing Death of Southern University Student 

Timothy M. Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com

In late February, Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old junior studying mechanical engineering at Southern University (“Southern”) and a talented member of the school’s acclaimed marching band, the Human Jukebox, was dropped off at a local hospital in Baton Rouge. Those who brought him in claimed he had collapsed while playing basketball at a nearby park. The truth was far more troubling.

In fact, Wilson had actually collapsed inside a warehouse where he and other pledges of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (“Omega Psi Phi”) were being subjected to hazing. The new members, all Southern students, were divided into groups and subjected to repeated physical blows—specifically, being punched in the chest.

The police investigation that followed concluded that Caleb McCray, a member of Omega Psi Phi, struck Wilson four times in the chest while wearing boxing gloves. Wilson suffered a seizure and collapsed. He was transported to the hospital, where he died shortly after midnight on February 27, 2025.

McCray was arrested and charged with both manslaughter and criminal hazing. Two additional fraternity members—Kyle Thurman and Isaiah Smith, the group’s Dean of Pledges—have also been charged with criminal hazing. Media reports indicate that further arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation continues. As with any criminal charges, those accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Under Louisiana’s hazing laws—strengthened in the wake of LSU student Max Gruver’s 2017 death—criminal hazing resulting in serious bodily injury or death carries penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Southern University has launched its own internal investigation into the incident and has announced an immediate suspension of all fraternity and sorority membership intake for the remainder of the academic year.