Caleb Wilson, 20, died "as a direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times" while pledging the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, according to police

NEED TO KNOW

• Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who died in an alleged off-campus fraternity hazing incident last year, was honored with a posthumous degree at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 15
• His mother and sister walked the stage to accept his degree for him
• A moment of silence was also observed in honor of the late mechanical engineering student, who was 20 at the time of his February 2025 death

Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who died in an alleged off-campus fraternity hazing incident last year, was honored with a posthumous degree at the school's 2026 spring commencement ceremony.

During the ceremony on Friday, May 15, Wilson's mother and sister walked the stage to accept his degree for him, as seen in a video of the graduation shared on Facebook by the Baton Rouge-based university. After a moment of silence was observed, Wilson's name was read, prompting supportive cheering and applause from the audience.

Zelbra Daniels, whose son was friends with Wilson, was in the audience and told WAFB that it was an emotional moment. “Everybody cheering them on, saying, 'We got you, we continuing praying for you all,' ” Daniels said.

Wilson, who was a 20-year-old junior at the time of his death, was studying to earn a degree in mechanical engineering.

Last year, on Feb. 26, Baton Rouge Police responded to a “suspicious death” involving Wilson at Baton Rouge Medical Center at around 2:40 a.m. local time, per a press release. Wilson had been dropped off by friends who allegedly told hospital staff that “he collapsed after being struck in the chest while playing basketball.”

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It was later determined that Wilson died "as a direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times" while pledging the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, according to police.

Omega Psi Phi fraternity members Kyle Thurman, 25, Isaiah Smith, 28, and Caleb McCray, 23, allegedly “punched four times with boxing gloves” during the pledging ritual, according to police. McCray allegedly “punched Wilson four times in the chest” before he “collapsed” and had a “seizure.”

Wilson was then allegedly transported "unresponsive" in Smith’s vehicle to the hospital in changed clothes, per the release. 

McCray was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter on March 7, 2025, after "turning himself in" with an attorney the night before, police announced at a press conference.

Thurman was arrested in Port Allen, La., on March 10, 2025, and then extradited to Baton Rouge, where he was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for the felony charge of criminal hazing, per the release. 

Isaiah Smith turned himself in to police on March 11, 2025, and was also charged with criminal hazing.

A grand jury indicted McCray, Thurman and Smith, along with two other suspects — Winston Sanders, 22, and Jaydn Landrum, 24 — in connection with the alleged hazing incident on Dec. 10, per WAFB and Fox 8.

McCray was indicted for manslaughter and principal to felony hazing, and Thurman was indicted for principal to felony hazing and three counts of obstruction of justice. Smith was indicted for principal to manslaughter, principal to felony hazing and obstruction of justice. Landrum was indicted for principal to felony hazing and Sanders for principal to felony hazing, as well as two counts of obstruction of justice.

All five entered not-guilty pleas in court on Jan. 15, per WAFB.

The Beta Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi has since been expelled from Southern University, per WAFB.

On the one-year anniversary of Wilson's death back in February, Southern University announced its plans to honor him with a posthumous degree and shared a statement remembering the late student.

"Today, Southern University and A&M College pauses to remember Caleb Wilson, a beloved member of the Jaguar Nation whose presence we continue to miss deeply," the statement read. "Caleb's vibrant personality, warm spirit, and steady determination left a lasting impression on classmates, professors, and friends.

"An engineering major, he approached his education with focus and purpose, committed to building a future that reflected both his ambition and his heart," the statement continued. "As a dedicated member of the Southern University 'Human Jukebox' Marching Band, he carried himself with pride and discipline, embodying the tradition and excellence that define Southern.

The university added: "On this one-year anniversary of his passing, we remember not only the loss of Caleb, but his life, which was filled with joy and meaningful connection. We continue to hold his family especially close in our thoughts."

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