The death of a 20-year-old Southern University student in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is being investigated by local law enforcement as a possible act of fraternity hazing, school authorities confirmed to the Associated Press on Wednesday.
Caleb Wilson, who died on 27 February, was a mechanical engineering junior at Southern University and A&M College and a member of the school’s famed marching band.
Chancellor John K Pierre said in a statement shared on the college’s Facebook page that “an off-campus incident is believed to have contributed to Caleb’s death”. A university spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that an alleged fraternity ritual, involving Omega Psi Phi, is being investigated.
Ricky L Lewis, the international president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, said in a written statement issued on Friday that the organization is aware that authorities have “launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth”.