HBCU Student Caleb Wilson Died After Alleged Hazing, Fraternity Members Lied to Police

Nationwide — Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old African American student at Southern University, reportedly died after being punched in the chest during an alleged hazing ritual. Police were initially told he collapsed at a Baton Rouge park, but investigators later found this story was fabricated.

According to WAFB, Wilson and eight other pledges were at a Baton Rouge warehouse during an Omega Psi Phi unsanctioned ritual. Each pledge was allegedly forced to take blows to the chest. After being struck, Wilson collapsed and suffered a seizure. He was taken to Baton Rouge General on Bluebonnet, where he was pronounced dead.

In the hours following the incident, fraternity members allegedly gathered elsewhere and created a false story, claiming he collapsed at a park.

Hospital staff reported the death to police, prompting an investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Authorities are working to determine responsibility, as not all involved had the same level of participation. An autopsy has not yet confirmed the cause of death, and further tests are ongoing.

Southern University, an HBCU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, expressed condolences to Wilson’s family and launched an internal investigation. The school has banned new membership intake for all student organizations and reaffirmed its strict stance against hazing. University officials pledged full cooperation with the ongoing criminal investigation.