Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the hazing-related death of Southern University and A&M College student Caleb Wilson, police announced.
Wilson, a 20-year-old junior at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana college, died following an off-campus incident last month. According to Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse, Wilson collapsed after being punched in the chest multiple times while pledging to a fraternity.
A group of individuals dropped him off unresponsive at a local hospital, claiming he collapsed while playing basketball at a park. However, an investigation revealed that the incident took place at a warehouse in Baton Rouge while Wilson was pledging to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
One suspect, 23-year-old Caleb McCray, turned himself in last week and was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter. Two additional suspects, 25-year-old Kyle Thurman and 28-year-old Isaiah Smith, were arrested this week on criminal hazing charges, a felony. Thurman was arrested in Port Allen by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and was extradited to Baton Rouge. Smith turned himself in early Tuesday and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
According to arrest warrants, the suspects allegedly used boxing gloves to punch pledges during a meeting at a flooring company warehouse on February 26. McCray is specifically accused of punching Wilson four times in the chest, causing him to fall, become unresponsive, and appear to have a seizure. Smith, identified as the dean of pledges overseeing nine initiates, allegedly punched at least one pledge. Thurman is accused of hitting pledges in one group, while McCray was responsible for another group that included Wilson.
Smith’s vehicle was used to transport Wilson to the hospital, and surveillance footage reportedly shows him removing Wilson’s unresponsive body from the car. Following McCray’s arrest, his attorney maintained his client’s innocence and urged the public to withhold judgment until all evidence is presented.
Wilson was pronounced dead early on February 27, and further forensic testing is underway to determine the exact cause of death. Additional arrests remain possible as the investigation continues.
Southern University has launched its own inquiry into the incident and has indefinitely banned membership intake for all student organizations. The university reaffirmed its strict stance against hazing, stating that it violates both school policies and Louisiana law.
A public memorial will be held for Wilson at Southern University to honor his life and contributions as a scholar and member of the university’s Human Jukebox marching band.
