Southern University student's death being investigated as a possible act
of fraternity hazing
[March 06, 2025]
By SARA CLINE
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The death of a 20-year-old Southern University
student in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is being investigated by local law
enforcement as a possible act of fraternity hazing, school authorities
confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Caleb Wilson, who died on Feb. 27, was a mechanical engineering junior
at Southern University and A&M College and a member of the school's
famed marching band.
Chancellor John K. Pierre said in a statement shared on the college’s
Facebook page that “an off-campus incident is believed to have
contributed to Caleb’s death.” A university spokesperson confirmed on
Wednesday that an alleged fraternity ritual, involving Omega Psi Phi, is
being investigated.
Ricky L. Lewis, the international president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
Inc., said in a written statement issued on Friday that the organization
is aware that authorities have “launched an investigation into this
tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth.”
“We recognize that many of you may have questions, and we are actively
working to gather accurate information,” Lewis said. It was unclear if
Wilson was a fraternity member.
Additional details, including Wilson's cause of death, were not yet
available. Police in Baton Rouge have not commented on the
investigation.
In a statement from Wilson's family, published by WAFB-TV, the student
was described as an “extraordinary person” who was a “bright and
talented young man with a promising future ahead of him.”
“We are committed to seeking the truth about the circumstances
surrounding Caleb’s passing and ensuring that no other family has to
endure such a tragedy,” the family said.
Wilson was a trumpet player with the marching band, known as the “Human
Jukebox,” which recently played at the Super Bowl. In a statement on the
band's Facebook page, Wilson was described as a talented, dedicated and
bright soul who “poured his passion” into his studies and music.
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Father Corey Wilson, right, mourns alongside other grieving family
members during a vigil for his son, Caleb Wilson, outside of
Southern University's Smith-Brown Student Union on Wednesday, March
5, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (Javier Gallegos/The Advocate via AP)
“His energy, spirit and impact on those around him will never be
forgotten,” the post read.
During the band's performance at one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras parades
over the weekend, members played Stevie Wonder's “Love Light in Flight”
in honor of Wilson.
“This was more than just a performance, it was a tribute, a farewell and
promise that Caleb's legacy will live on,” the band posted on Facebook
along with a video of the performance.
Following Wilson's death, the historically Black university indefinitely
halted all club recruiting activities, including those related to Greek
life. On Tuesday, the university announced its own internal
investigation and student judiciary process into the “alleged hazing
incident.”
The university statement said that any organization on campus that
breaches anti-hazing polices will face “prompt disciplinary sanctions.”
Southern University requires clubs and organizations to undergo
anti-hazing training. In 2018, following the death of Max Gruver — a
Louisiana State University student who died of alcohol poisoning after a
hazing ritual at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house — then-Gov. John
Bel Edwards signed into state several law anti-hazing laws meant to curb
hazing and increase penalties.
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