Omega Psi Phi expels 3 men arrested in Southern University student Caleb Wilson's hazing death

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Three Omega Psi Phi members arrested in connection with the death of Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who died from a hazing incident, have been expelled by the fraternity.

Wilson, a junior who was studying mechanical engineering and a member of the Human Jukebox, died after what police say was an unsanctioned off-campus fraternity pledging ritual where pledges were punched in the chest with boxing gloves.

Caleb McCray, 23, Kyle Thurman, 25, and Isaiah Smith, 28, were taken into custody after an investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department. Police said Wilson was in the second group of pledges to be struck. McCray reportedly punched Wilson four times in the chest, causing him to collapse and become unresponsive.

McCray was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter after turning himself in on March 7. Thurman was arrested on March 10 in Port Allen. He was extradited to Baton Rouge and booked into jail on a criminal hazing charge.

Smith also turned himself in and was charged with criminal hazing on March 11. According to arrest documents, investigators learned Smith was in charge of the pledges, holding the title “Dean of Pledges.”

All three suspects bonded out of prison.

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