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Louisiana college student dies in off-campus event, university halts fraternity initiation activities

Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old Southern University and A&M College student, was brought to the hospital unresponsive in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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A 20-year-old Louisiana college student died Thursday after attending an off-campus event in Baton Rouge late Wednesday night, university officials said.

Caleb Wilson, who was a junior at Southern University and A&M College, was unresponsive when he was taken to the hospital around 3 a.m. Thursday, the Baton Rouge Police Department told NBC News affiliate WVLA.

The university confirmed Wilson's death, citing an "off-campus incident that may have resulted in the death."

"Southern is cooperating fully with the Baton Rouge Police Department, which is in charge of the investigation," the university's statement said. "No further information is available at this time."

Southern University would not comment on what the off-campus event Wilson attended was, but local reports have stated that he had been at a gathering for his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

Baton Rouge Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about where Wilson had been.

The university sent a memo that paused all membership intake activities for campus organizations, including fraternities, sororities and student clubs.

According to the memo, obtained by NBC News, the organizations are required to halt recruitment and initiation processes, any rushes or interest meetings and refrain from inducting any new members.

Omega Psi Phi's national office on Friday afternoon said the fraternity will "fully support" local authorities' "efforts to seek the truth."

"We have extended ourselves to them and are ready to assist in any way possible during this difficult time," Ricky L. Lewis, international president of Omega Psi Phi, said in the statement.

Lewis said the fraternity's "foremost priority" is to stand in "unwavering support of Caleb's family."

Wilson, a mechanical engineering major, was a member of the university's "Human Jukebox" marching band, Southern University said in a statement.

The "Human Jukebox" said Wilson was a "talented trumpet player, a dedicated student, and a bright soul."

"His energy, spirit, and impact on those around him will never be forgotten," the statement said.

Wilson's father, Corey Wilson, is a retired deputy at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in New Orleans. The office released a statement Friday, offering condolences to Wilson's family after the "heartbreaking loss."