Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old junior at Southern University, died on Feb. 27 following an off-campus hazing incident.
According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, officers responded to the hospital around 3 a.m. that day. However, new developments have been discovered in this tragic case.
WAFB 9 reported that fraternity members concocted a false story about where Wilson’s death happened. Sources close to the situation alleged that pledges with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity were actually at a warehouse in Baton Rouge when Wilson suffered a punch to the chest and collapsed. Wilson was pronounced dead by doctors at a local hospital.
Hospital staffers who alerted authorities, which led to an investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department.
There were nine pledges in a line during an unsanctioned fraternity ritual and each one was allegedly forced to take blows to the chest, the sources said. When Wilson was hit, sources with knowledge of the events said he reportedly collapsed to the ground and began having a seizure at the warehouse.
Additionally, the warehouse where Wilson collapsed is co-rented by EBR Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. According to Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto, Dunn Jr. told him that he co-rents a warehouse for his courier business along with another business partner, Todd Smith, who owns California Hardwood. Also, he was not aware that Wilson had collapsed there until WAFB informed him.
Dunn got Smith on the phone, who confirmed that detectives obtained surveillance video and questioned him. Both he and Dunn are members of Omega Psi Phi. Smith’s two sons are Omegas, and one is a student at Southern.
On Wednesday, District Attorney Hillar Moore said hazing charges would likely be filed after the investigation is complete.
“We want anyone with information to come forward,” Moore said. “We had several pledges that were there not implicated in any wrongdoing. We need them to come forward and tell us what happened. Anyone with knowledge about anyone being complicit at all with this case, we want the truth for the parents.”
Following Wilson’s death, members of the fraternity who brought him to the hospital allegedly “met at an undisclosed location to coordinate a false account of the night’s events.” Additionally, it’s alleged that none of the students had been at the park, which contradicts the testimony they made to law enforcement.
Currently, Southern University is in full cooperation with the criminal investigation. It is also conducting an internal investigation into what led to Wilson’s death following reports of “unsanctioned off-campus activities” and will “take appropriate action” once completed.
“Hazing is a violation of the University’s rules and regulations as well as Louisiana law, and it will not be tolerated in any form at Southern University,” the school said in a statement.
In response to Wilson’s death, the university indefinitely banned membership intake for all student organizations.
“The well-being of our students is a part of our mission to provide an extraordinary education for thousands of students,” the school said. “We support punishment to the fullest extent of the law for anyone committing an act of violence that impedes a student from safely and successfully matriculating at Southern.”
Ricky Lewis, the International President of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, released a statement noting that they are “actively working to gather accurate information” amid the local authorities’ investigation and that “we fully support their efforts to seek the truth.”
“Currently, our foremost priority is standing in unwavering support of Caleb’s family,” Lewis said. “We have extended ourselves to them and are ready to assist in any way possible during this difficult time.”
“We recognize that many of you may have questions, and we are actively working to gather accurate information,” Lewis continued. “In the meantime, we ask for your patience, your prayers, and solidarity as we honor Caleb’s memory and support those grieving his loss.”
The results of Wilson’s death will be released following additional forensic testing, the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday (March 5).
Along with majoring in mechanical engineering, Wilson was a member of Southern University’s famed Human Jukebox band.
