Southern University Assistant Band Director Suspended Amid Investigation into Caleb Wilson’s Hazing Death

The assistant director of bands at Southern University has been placed on a 30-day administrative leave amid an investigation into the death of a band member during an Omega Psi Phi initiation event last month.

Caleb Wilson, 20, died on February 26th under what police are investigating as a possible hazing incident. Assistant band director Safiyy Abdel-Raoof was suspended two days later, according to a university spokesperson in an email to WBRZ.

Abdel-Raoof serves as the president of the graduate chapter of Lambda Alpha, which oversees the university’s undergraduate chapter.

“Safiyy Abdel-Ra’oof has been on administrative leave (30 days) since Feb. 28, 2025,” the university said. “No further comment will be made on this personnel matter.”

Three men have been arrested in connection to Wilson’s death. Isaiah Smith, the fraternity’s “dean of pledges,” and Kyle Thurman face felony hazing charges, while Caleb McCray is accused of hazing and manslaughter after allegedly punching Wilson during a ritual. Police reported that Wilson collapsed and later died at the hospital, though the official cause of death has not been determined. Four other pledges were present during the incident, according to an affidavit.

Wilson was a member of Southern University’s Human Jukebox marching band and had pledged to Omega Psi Phi. Abdel-Raoof’s involvement in the initiation activities remains unclear.