Southern University has placed Safiyy Abdel-Ra’oof, graduate president overseeing the Omega Psi Phi fraternity chapter, on administrative leave as the investigation into the hazing death of Caleb Wilson continues. Wilson, a 20-year-old member of the Human Jukebox marching band, died on February 26 after being punched multiple times in the chest during an alleged hazing ritual.
Three arrests have been made. Caleb McCray, 23, faces charges of criminal hazing and manslaughter for allegedly delivering the fatal punches. Kyle Thurman, 25, and Isaiah Smith, 28, who served as the fraternity’s “dean of pledges,” have been charged with felony criminal hazing. The hazing took place in a warehouse where pledges were struck in the chest with boxing gloves. After Wilson collapsed and suffered a seizure, members transported him to the hospital but initially misled medical staff about the circumstances of his collapse.
Southern University has suspended all fraternity and sorority pledging activities for the rest of the academic year and ordered the Omega Psi Phi chapter to halt all activities pending further investigation.
