FAMU drum major says he was hazed before student who died

5/23/2012

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida A&M drum major says he went through the same hazing ritual as a band mate who died of injuries after the ordeal.

In a law enforcement interview released Wednesday, Keon Hollis says that he was kicked, punched, hit with a large comb and struck with straps. The hazing happened last November on a bus parked in an Orlando hotel parking lot. He said there were at least 15 people on the bus and the goal was to get from the front to the back.

He said Robert Champion was the next person to be hazed that November night. He said Champion seemed fine immediately afterward, but said he was thirsty. Hollis said he gave Champion some water.

Champion soon collapsed and later died. An autopsy showed he died from shock caused by internal bleeding.

Thirteen people have been charged with his death.