As the investigation into the tragic death of an HBCU band member continues a fraternity leader has been placed on leave by the university.
Southern University placed Safiyy Abdel-Ra’oof on leave two days after the death of Caleb Wilson, a member of the Human Jukebox.
Wilson, 20, died Feb. 26 after being punched in the chest several times during what Baton Rouge, Louisiana police are calling a “hazing ritual” for the university’s Omega Psi Phi chapter.
Abdel-Ra’oof is the chapter’s grad president and oversees the undergraduate chapter at Southern, according to a report by WBRZ-2 of Baton Rouge.
WBRZ said it received an email Friday from an SU spokesperson, stating that “Safiyy Abdel-Ra’oof has been on administrative leave (30 days) since Feb. 28, 2025. No further comment will be made on this personnel matter.”
Three arrests have already been made in Wilson’s death, including Caleb McCray for hazing and manslaughter and Isaiah Smith and Kyle Thurman for criminal felony hazing.
A memorial for Wilson was held on Southern’s campus Friday and Wilson was laid to rest the following day.
