Anti-Hazing, Gay Drummer Beaten to Death by Bandmates in Hazing Ritual

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Jan 11, 2012 in Bad News | 8 comments

Robert Champion Jr., dead.

A gay Florida A&M drum major in the school marching band is dead after brutal hazing, and teammates that left him aboard the marching band bus to die.

On Nov. 19, Robert Champion Jr. was found unresponsive aboard a band bus after the school’s biggest game of the year. Police ruled the death a homicide from hazing.

About 30 students were on the bus at the time, but no one has been charged, and the Champions have started their own investigation into how their son died.

“The truth will come out as to what happened,” says the young man’s mother. “I will find out how my son got there, because I know that he would not have willingly, knowingly just walked into that.”

Roberts parents suspect that their son was singled out with the most violent group beating for two reasons; He was vocally opposed to hazing and he was gay.

Champion’s mother nearly brought us to tears with her simple request, “Our goal is not to shut down any school. Our goal is not to stop the music. Our goal is to stop the hazing.”

It may not be their goal to stop the marching band from performing, but we find it to be incredibly irresponsible of Florida A&M to continue to allow this marching band to perform unpunished even though they murdered one of their bandmates.

Here’s hoping that the Champions’ investigation brings the truth to light in this tragedy.

Have YOU ever experienced hazing?

(via CBS)

http://www.facebook.com/shawniemichael Shawn Beal

I used to be in a high school band and I never have seen or been involved in any hazing. This is shocking to me. I hope the school takes action and suspend these classmates.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Victoria-Kerrigan/558063053 Victoria Kerrigan

suspend them? for what, murder? sounds appropriate.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Long/500376692 Jonathan Long

FYI a drum major is the leader of the band who helps direct them on the field… Being a drum major does not make you a drummer. The headline of this article needs to be fixed.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1664732393 Jim Self

This band should not play another note until the culprits are brought to justice.
http://www.facebook.com/lancifer.m Lancifer Miller

This is another instance of the ‘performers’ in a school being given a green light. We see it in “Football” towns, high schools and colleges. If you can perform you get a free pass until you are no longer of use. My thoughts and condolences go out to any parent that has to bury their child, especially over something so senseless.

I have not ever been hazed. It was attempted and I promptly informed them that if they wan’t to keep their hands they would refrain from putting them on me, well… without my permission. Christ I am violent. I need to get that under control.
http://twitter.com/colibri_moko Petit Colibri

Do we go for higher education to “haze” or to “learn”? Until now, I still don’t understand those useless, brutal forms of initiations. They’re all somewhat barbaric, if you ask me
Anonymous

I would like to correct you on the title if I may, He was not a drummer, but a drum major (section leader of the band). This story is SO sad and what’s suck is FAMU Marching 100 was the VERY reason I joined the marching band in high school. I hope his family gets the justice they deserve! RIP man!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1559843435 Drake Kalluna

they all need to pay

Tags

Anti-Hazing, Gay Drummer Beaten to Death by Bandmates in Hazing Ritual

Pages

Tags

Anti-Hazing, Gay Drummer Beaten to Death by Bandmates in Hazing Ritual

Yo Categories

Pages