Witnesses gave violent blow - by - blow accounts of Robert Champion 's hazing . Two other band members also went through ` ` cross over '' ritual on band 's Bus . Drum ##mer said he was having trouble breathing , passed out after initiation . When he walked back to the front of the bus , before vomiting in the parking lot , his fellow band members hollered and clapped in celebration -- a signal that he had truly completed the initiation . Champion died after hazing incident ; medical examiner ruled death a homicide .
Witnesses gave violent blow - by - blow accounts of Robert Champion 's hazing . Two other band members also went through ` ` cross over '' ritual on band 's Bus . Drum ##mer said he was having trouble breathing , passed out after initiation . Champion died after hazing incident ; medical examiner ruled death a homicide .