Update 7:30 pm: After having identified four individuals earlier in the day, The FAMUan now says it can only confirm three of the four students who were dismissed. The paper also added the following disclaimer: "University Spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said that the university is unable to officially (and did not) release any names by law."The FAMUan newspaper reports that it has received official university documents confirming the identities of three of the four students who were expelled “in connection to the Robert Champion incident.” Champion, a drum major in the Marching 100, died on November 19 in Orlando following the Florida Classic.
The student newspaper said three of the expelled students were drum majors who served alongside Champion.
According to FAMUan staffers, the students are: “Head Drum Major Jonathan Boyce, a 24-year-old senior from Marietta, Ga., along with fellow drum majors Shawn Turner, 25 of Atlanta, and Rikki Willis, 23 of Miami.
President James H. Ammons announced the expulsions on November 29. The university has not publicly confirmed the FAMUan's report.
The Florida Classic was the Marching 100's final performance of the 2011 football season. Former Director of Bands Julian E. White told ABC News that "I had not told [Champion] yet, but he was slated to be the head drum major next year."
ABC News, which obtained the dismissal letter sent to the four expelled students, said it accused them of "an act hazing" that took place on November 19. It also claimed the ex-students engaged in a "conspiracy," which the student handbook describes as "planning with one or more fellow students to commit an act or acts that violate(s) the University Code of Conduct."
The dismissal letter also said that the alleged actions of the ex-students were of "a serious, heinous or repulsive nature."
(From L to R: Ricki Willis, Robert Champion, Jonathan Boyce, Keon Hollis and Shawn Turner)