Kyle Thurman, 25, is charged in connection with the Southern University student's death.
Jaylen Lewis, right, helps light Virginia Olide's candle during a vigil for Caleb Wilson outside of Southern University 's Smith-Brown Student Union on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. An Alabama high school graduate is among three suspects charged in connection with the off-campus hazing death of a student from a historically Black Louisiana university.
Kyle Thurman, 25, was arrested Monday in Port Allen, Louisiana by the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Violent Crimes Apprehension Team and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, police said Tuesday. Thurman was extradited to Baton Rouge and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a charge of felony criminal hazing in connection with the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, 20. Baton Rouge police could not immediately be reached on whether Thurman is or was an Alabama resident.His arrest along with that of Isiah Smith, who was also charged with felony criminal hazing, were announced Tuesday. Last week, police arrested Caleb McCray, 23, who faces charges of criminal hazing and manslaughter. He allegedly punched Wilson four times before the pledge collapsed unresponsive and appeared to suffer a seizure, police say. Smith was seen on surveillance video removing Wilson from his vehicle and bringing him to a hospital, according to a police arrest warrant affidavit reviewed by the Associated Press. The group that brought Wilson at the hospital initially told medical staff that Wilson collapsed while playing basketball at a park and left the hospital before police arrived, Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Thomas Morse Jr. told reporters last week.Smith held the title “Dean of Pledges” and was in charge of the ritual during the hazing, the affidavit states. He turned himself in on Tuesday, police say. Smith’s lawyer, Franz Borghardt, said it is important to note that Smith is not accused of making physical contact with Wilson and that no one was aware of any underlying medical conditions he may have had. “This was a freak accident; we’re not talking about force-feeding alcohol,” Borghardt said. “To be sure, everyone in that fraternity cares about Caleb. Our hearts go out to the Wilson family.” Both Smith and Thurman participated in punching some of the nine pledges, but they are not described as hitting Wilson, according to police arrest warrant affidavits. Smith’s father, Todd Smith, runs a flooring company where the hazing incident occurred, Borghardt said.Thurman could not be reached for comment, and police and court officials were not able to provide information for his legal representation.In Louisiana, hazing can be a felony under the Max Gruver Act, which passed in 2018 and was named after a Louisiana State University student who died ofUnder the act, if a person being hazed dies or is seriously injured, violators face up to a $10,000 fine and five years in prison. Organizations, representatives and officers of an organization, and educational institutions can also face penalties. The fraternity Wilson was pledging, Omega Psi Phi, could face civil penalties under the act. A fraternity spokesperson said it is cooperating with authorities. The fraternity’s campus chapter has been ordered to cease activities and Greek life organizations have been barred from taking on new members for the remainder of the academic year, Southern University President Dennis Shields told reporters last week. Hundreds of people turned out in early March for a vigil in honor of Wilson, a passionate trumpet player in the university’s famed band.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
@River-Mobile Caleb Wilson Southern University Southern University Hazing Death Kyle Thurman Kyle Thurman Saraland Alabama Crime
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