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This warehouse was the site of an alleged hazing ritual that led to the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, a source said. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The manager of a warehouse where an alleged hazing ritual led to the death of a Southern University student said the businessmen who leased the property were not following his company's rules. "I'm very aggravated about it.
It's supposed to be a flooring company. It's not a party venue," said Wallace Heck, Jr., of Heck Management Co.
LLC. "I fully expect to hear of repercussions about it." State business records show California Hardwood Floors, owned by Todd Smith, leases space in the building off of Greenwell Springs Road.
Cleve Dunn Jr. , a Baton Rouge Metro Council member, also operates his business, Runner's Courier Service, from the property. On Wednesday night, Dunn issued a statement denying any involvement in any events at the warehouse last week.
"I want to make it unequivocally clear that I am not a party to the official lease agreement between Heck Industries and Todd Smith/California Floors," Dunn said in a statement posted to his Instagram. On Wednesday, sources close to the investigation into Caleb Wilson's death said the Omega Psi Phi pledge was punched in the chest by fraternity members on Feb. 27 inside the warehouse off Greenwell Springs Road as part of a "hazing ritual.
" Wilson later died at a local hospital. Heck said the company rents to businesses, "not nightclubs," and he doesn't condone the hazing incident that allegedly took place at the site. He also said he was unaware that Dunn's courier business was operating at the site.
Though he declined to comment on possible legal actions, Heck said his company requires approval for a tenant like Smith to sublease a property to someone else and that did not occur in this case. "We've never issued any approval," he said. A statement regarding the alleged hazing incident that involved Caleb Wilson from Cleve Dunn Jr.
issued Wednesday, March 6, 2025. Smith, who has not responded to The Advocate's requests for comment, is a member of Lambda Alpha Ques — a graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi — and told WAFB his son is a member of the fraternity accused of hazing. According to Dunn's statement, he did not know of his business site's possible involvement until it was reported in the media.
"My business rents a portion of the space for commercial purposes, and I have absolutely no involvement in or authority over the access granted to students or any activities related to Omega Psi Phi's use of the building," Dunn wrote. The councilman said he is not a member of the fraternity or any other "Greek or Divine 9 organization." Dunn extended condolences to Wilson's family and the community.
"While I understand that my name being included in this story draws additional attention to an already tragic situation, it is important that the public know: Neither I, my family, nor my business condone hazing or any other illegal activity. I fully support a swift and thorough investigation, and I trust that justice will be served," Dunn wrote..
