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Arrests Made in Fraternity Hazing Death of Southern University Student
In a tragic development, the Baton Rouge Police have apprehended two additional individuals in connection with the off-campus hazing incident that led to the death of Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old Southern University student. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to three.
On Tuesday, authorities revealed that 25-year-old Kyle Thurman and 28-year-old Isaiah Smith were taken into custody, facing charges of criminal hazing, which is classified as a felony in Louisiana. Thurman was arrested on Monday in Port Allen, a city adjacent to Baton Rouge, while Smith voluntarily turned himself in on Tuesday.
The circumstances surrounding Wilson’s death were disturbing, as details emerged of a hazing ritual involving multiple fraternity pledges. Caleb McCray, a 23-year-old who surrendered to police on Friday, is purportedly the person who punched Wilson multiple times in the chest during the incident. McCray has since been charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter.
The harrowing incident transpired on February 26, when Wilson and eight other pledges arrived at a warehouse belonging to a flooring company. There, the group donned gray sweatsuits for what was described as a hazing ritual. According to arrest warrants, McCray, Thurman, and Smith participated by using boxing gloves to strike the pledges, with the punches delivered in turns.
As documented in the arrest warrants, “Thurman proceeded to punch the first half of the group, McCray punched the second half, with Smith punching at least one pledge.” Unfortunately, during the ordeal, Wilson, who was among the second group of pledges, collapsed. Witnesses reported that he appeared to have a seizure and lost control of his bladder. Alarmingly, no one at the scene called 911 for medical assistance, as noted by Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. during a recent press conference.
Following the incident, Wilson was transported to Baton Rouge General Medical Center by individuals who reportedly dropped him off without providing necessary details about the situation. He was pronounced dead upon arrival, although the exact timeline between the hazing and his hospitalization remains vague. Investigators later discovered that the vehicle used to drop him off was registered to Smith, and evidence indicated that Wilson had been changed into different clothing prior to his arrival at the hospital.
Smith can be seen on surveillance footage removing Wilson from the car, as outlined in the arrest warrant. Notably, Smith held the position of Dean of Pledges for the fraternity at the time and was responsible for overseeing the pledges involved in the hazing. Both McCray and Thurman are identified as active members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity in their respective arrest warrants.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further arrests may follow as more information comes to light. McCray has since been released on bond, while additional details regarding the charges against Smith and Thurman have not yet been disclosed.
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