An investigation is underway into the mysterious death of mechanical engineering student Caleb Wilson, a junior at Southern University, who reportedly collapsed while participating in a ritual with his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, at an off-campus park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
New Orleans station WVUE reported that Wilson fell during an exercise where students were forced to stand in line. It cited an unnamed source it described as “familiar with the case.”
What caused Wilson to collapse is still unknown. Results from Wilson’s autopsy are pending.
He was unresponsive when a group of friends took him to Baton Rouge General Hospital early Thursday morning. Doctors pronounced Wilson dead and called the Baton Rouge Police at 3:15 a.m., prompting a death investigation.
In a statement, Southern University and A&M College said it was aware of “an off-campus incident that may have resulted in the death of student Caleb Wilson, a junior from New Orleans majoring in mechanical engineering. The campus community extends condolences to his family, classmates and loved ones.”
“Southern is cooperating fully with the Baton Rouge Police Department, which is in charge of the investigation,” the statement continues. “No further information is available at this time.”
Wilson was a member of Human Jukebox, the school’s marching band. He made his debut on trumpet in November 2023 at the 50th anniversary of the Bayou Classic.
Wilson’s father, Corey Wilson, is a part-time deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. He retired last year as a sergeant after working full-time for 35 years.
One reporter covering Wilson’s death placed the onus on Southern University, which she said dodged accountability when her father nearly lost his life in a hazing incident at the Louisiana HBCU.
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