Authorities have announced the arrest of a third suspect connected to the hazing-related death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson.
Isaiah Smith, 28, turned himself in on Tuesday and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a criminal hazing charge. His bond was set at $25,000.
Smith’s arrest follows the previous detainment of two other suspects—Caleb McCray, 23, and Kyle Thurman, 25—after Wilson, 20, died during an unsanctioned fraternity pledging ritual for Omega Psi Phi on February 26.
According to an affidavit, Wilson and eight other pledges were lined up at a warehouse and punched in the chest four times with boxing gloves by at least three individuals. Investigators identified Smith as the “Dean of Pledges,” placing him in charge of overseeing the pledging process.
McCray, facing charges of criminal hazing and manslaughter, turned himself in on March 7, while Thurman was arrested on March 10 in Port Allen and later extradited to Baton Rouge.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office has yet to release an official cause of death, as further testing is still underway.
Meanwhile, Baton Rouge Police have confirmed the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.
In response to Wilson’s death, Southern University has suspended all Greek life recruitment for the remainder of the academic year. A cease-and-desist order has also been issued to Omega Psi Phi, halting all chapter activities pending the outcome of the investigation.
