Rick Scott Brings FDLE Into FAMU Suspected Hazing Investigation

The state government is now looking into the death of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University student who was a drum major with the famous Marching 100 band, on Saturday in a suspect hazing incident in Orlando. While the bands activities have been suspended by the university as officials investigate, Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey to work with Orange County officials in ivestigating the matter.

The recent death of Florida A&M Universitys Marching 100' band drum major Robert Champion has generated great concern throughout the state, and indeed the nation, Scott wrote. While I recognize that the investigation into the death of Mr. Champion is being handled by the Orange County sheriffs office, the reality is that the death investigation significantly impacts the university, the Tallahassee community, and the state of Florida as a whole. With this in mind, I believe it to be appropriate that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement become involved in investigating this matter.

By this letter, I request that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement thoroughly investigate the death of Robert Champion, working with the Orange County sheriffs office and any other investigative agencies as may be necessary, to assure that the circumstances leading to Mr. Champions death become fully known, and that if there are individuals directly or indirectly responsible for this death, they are appropriately brought to justice and held accountable, Scott continued.