Wylie man accused of killing Louisiana college student during fraternity hazing ritual
Wyle man arrested for fraternity hazing death
Police say Caleb McCray and two other men, while wearing boxing gloves, punched a Southern University fraternity pledge member in the chest several times before he had a seizure and died.
A Wylie man was arrested and charged in Louisiana for the death of a fraternity pledge during a hazing ritual.
Police say three men wearing boxing gloves punched a pledge member in the chest several times before he had a seizure and died.
What we know:
23-year-old Caleb McCray, of Wylie, is now charged with felony criminal hazing and manslaughter.
Investigators say McCray is only the first arrest connected to the death of a 20-year-old Southern University student after an off-campus fraternity hazing ritual.
"Detectives have interviewed over a dozen people and executed multiple search warrants to gather as much information as possible," said Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse during a Friday press conference.
The backstory:
In the early morning hours of Feb. 26, junior engineering student and marching band member Caleb Wilson was dropped off at the emergency room by a group of men who stated he collapsed while playing basketball.
The group left before officers arrived at the hospital.
"Caleb Wilson died as a direct result of a hazing incident where he was punched in the chest multiple times while pledging Omega Psi Phi Fraternity," said Chief Morse.
Detectives learned the basketball story was a lie.
Instead, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by FOX 4, Wilson and eight other pledges arrived at a warehouse and changed into gray sweatpants.
Police say they stood in a line "and were each punched four times with boxing gloves by at least three individuals."
One of the fraternity members was McCray, a recent Southern University graduate.
The report states Wilson "appeared to suffer a seizure and lose control of his bodily function".
Police added that "Wilson's clothing was changed prior to his arrival at the hospital," where he later died.
Big picture view:
The loss has deeply hurt the Southern University campus.
Wilson played the trumpet for the school’s well-known marching band, the Human Jukebox.
This week, the university band held a vigil honoring him, hoping to lift up Wilson's family with love and support.
What they're saying:
In a statement sent to FOX 4, McCray’s attorney says he maintains his client's innocence and is still reviewing all evidence.
What's next:
Southern University also announced its pausing membership intake for all campus organizations while multiple investigations move forward.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Baton Rouge Police Department, Friday's press conference and court documents obtained by FOX 4.