Caleb Wilson Obituary, Death; – A suspect has been apprehended and charged with manslaughter and hazing in relation to the death of a student from Southern University and A&M College, following an alleged hazing incident, as announced by police on Friday.
Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old junior at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana institution, passed away shortly after midnight on February 27, following an off-campus occurrence, according to officials from both the university and the city. He was transported to a local hospital in an unresponsive state by a group of males, as reported by the Baton Rouge Police Department.
The group claimed that Wilson collapsed while playing basketball at a city park when they dropped him off at the emergency room, stated Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse during a press conference on Friday. However, upon further investigation, officers discovered that the incident actually took place at a warehouse in Baton Rouge while he was pledging to a fraternity, he noted.
“Caleb Wilson died as a direct consequence of a hazing incident in which he was struck in the chest multiple times while pledging to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,” Morse stated.
At no point did anyone involved in the incident contact emergency services, he added.
One suspect, Caleb McCray, voluntarily surrendered to the East Baton Rouge Parish prison on Thursday night accompanied by his attorney and has been charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter, according to Morse.
McCray’s attorney indicated that they are currently reviewing the details of the case and are dedicated to ensuring that “due process is upheld.”
“At this moment, I have not been presented with any evidence to substantiate such serious allegations,” his attorney, Phillip Robinson, remarked in a statement. “I assert my client’s innocence and urge the public to refrain from hasty judgments until all evidence is considered.”
There are two additional suspects for whom police are in the process of obtaining warrants and are coordinating with their attorneys for them to surrender on Friday, the chief reported.
Further suspects and arrests may occur, he indicated. Police did not disclose the number of individuals present at the warehouse. Investigators continue to work on establishing a precise timeline of the events that transpired, Morse stated.
