Baton Rouge, Louisiana (AP) – One arrest has been made, at least two are expected in connection with the death of a 20-year-old Southern university student Off-campus fraternity haze ritualBaton Rouge authorities announced on Friday.
“Caleb Wilson passed away as a direct result of the incident in which Kasumi was punched multiple times in her chest, pledging to the fraternity of Omega Pusi-Phi,” Baton Rouge Police Department chief Thomas Morse Jr. told reporters.
Caleb McCray was arrested Thursday evening and faces manslaughter and detective Hayes charges in the death of Wilson, a junior mechanical engineering at the school who died in late February.
McCray’s lawyer, Philip Robinson, said his client deserves legitimate proceedings.
“I will maintain the innocence of my clients and urge the public to withhold rushing to judgement until all the evidence is heard,” Robinson said in an email.
McCray and his family declined to comment, Robinson added.
Southern University suspends fraternity and pledge
Wilson was initially brought to the hospital by a group of men who mistakenly said they “fallen while playing basketball in the park” but were actually injured in a warehouse.
At what point no group left before police arrived at the hospital, he added.
In Louisiana, Hayes could become a felony under the Max Gruber Act, passed in 2018 and named after a late Louisiana State University student Alcohol poisoning After shaking at Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House.
Under this law, if a person who was had dies or is seriously injured, the offender will be in prison for up to $10,000 and a five-year prison. Organizations, representatives, officers and educational institutions can also face penalties.
East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hiller Moore said Omega Sy-Phi could face civil penalties under the law.
Fraternity’s campus branch has been ordered to “stop all activities,” and students involved in Wilson’s death could face expulsion, Southern University President Dennis Shields told reporters.
All campus Greek life organisations are prohibited from assuming additional members for the remainder of the academic year, he added.
Omega Psi Phi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Big night overnight for victims
Hundreds of Southern college students, alumni, staff and state leaders gathered Wednesday evening in honor of Wilson.
Friends and family have switched stories about Wilson, who was delighted, cheerful, talented and ambitious on many accounts.
“He walked this campus with purpose,” said Chaselyn Grant, a longtime friend of Wilson. Supporter. “I know he’s smiling.”
Among Wilson’s passion was music. He played the trumpet of the famous university marching band known as the “Human Jukebox” which he recently performed at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
In a Facebook post, the band wrote that members carried Wilson’s spirit “with every step and every note.”
“This was more than just a performance,” the post read. “It was a tribute, parting and promise that Caleb’s legacy would continue to live on.”
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Brooke reported from New Orleans.
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