Southern University Mourns Caleb Wilson as More Arrests Are Made in Hazing Case
Authorities have arrested two more suspects in connection with the tragic hazing death of Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old Southern University and A&M College student.
Baton Rouge police announced the arrests on Tuesday (March 11), marking the latest developments in an ongoing investigation.
Kyle Thurman, 25, and Isaiah Smith, 28, have now been taken into custody on felony hazing charges, authorities confirm. Smith, who served as the dean of pledges and oversaw the pledging process, turned himself in earlier that day. Smith’s attorney, Franz Borghardt, stated that his family is working on securing his bond, adding, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wilson family in this time of mourning.”
Their arrests follow 23-year-old Caleb McCray turning himself in on March 7, when he was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter.
Wilson, a junior at the historically Black university, collapsed after being punched in the chest multiple times while pledging Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at an off-campus event last month. A group of men later dropped him off unresponsive at a local hospital, initially claiming he had collapsed after playing basketball.
However, police say the incident actually took place at a warehouse in Baton Rouge, where pledges were allegedly subjected to violent hazing.
According to arrest warrants, pledges were allegedly forced to stand in a line and take punches from participants wearing boxing gloves. McCray is specifically accused of striking Wilson in the chest four times, causing him to collapse, suffer a seizure, and become unresponsive. Smith is also accused of punching at least one pledge, while Thurman allegedly assaulted pledges in another group.
Investigators say Wilson was later transported to the hospital in a vehicle registered to Smith, and surveillance footage reportedly shows Smith removing Wilson from the car while he was unresponsive.
McCray’s attorney, Phillip Robinson, maintained his client’s innocence, stating, “At this time, I have not been presented with any evidence to support such serious accusations. I urge the public to withhold rushing to judgment.”
Southern University has confirmed it is fully cooperating with the criminal investigation while also launching its own internal review. In response to reports of unauthorized off-campus pledging activities, the university has indefinitely suspended membership intake for all student organizations.
Meanwhile, the Southern University community is preparing to honor Wilson with a public memorial service on Friday. In a statement, Southern University Chancellor John Pierre spoke on how Wilson’s “kindness, passion, and unwavering spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him."
As the investigation continues, authorities say more arrests could be imminent.
