Photo: Southern University Human Jukebox
The assistant director of bands at Southern University has been put on administrative leave amid an investigation into the death of a band member who collapsed during a fraternity ritual.
20-year-old Caleb Wilson, a member of the Southern University Human Jukebox band, died on February 26 after participating in an Omega Psi Phi initiation event. Wilson was allegedly standing in line with other pledges when he was forced to take punches to the chest as part of the initiation process. After being hit, Wilson reportedly collapsed and had a seizure. The Southern University student was taken to the hospital, where he later was pronounced dead.
A university spokesperson told WBRZ that assistant band director Safiyy Abdel-Raoof was suspended two days following Wilson's death. Abdel-Raoof also 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 in a statement. “No further comment will be made on this personnel matter.”
Abdel-Raoof's involvement in the case remains unclear.
In the wake of Wilson's death, Caleb McCray, a graduate of Southern University and member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was arrested earlier this month on charges of criminal hazing and manslaughter. Isaiah Smith and Kyle Thurman are also facing felony hazing charges. According to WAFB, Smith's father, Todd, leased the warehouse where the alleged hazing occurred.
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