Gil Collar Shooting: Naked University of South Alabama student killed by officer

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Gil Collar

/ Facebook/WIAT

(CBS/AP) MOBILE, Ala. - A police officer on Saturday fatally shot a University of South Alabama freshman Gil Collar, who authorities say was naked and had been banging on a window at police headquarters.

A university spokesman said the 18-year-old was fatally wounded about 1:30 a.m. after an officer heard a bang on a window and went outside to investigate.

A statement issued by university spokesman Keith Ayers said Collar assumed a "fighting stance" and chased an officer before being shot. The officer tried to retreat numerous times to defuse the situation before opening fire, the school said.

Campus officials didn't give any indication that Collar had a weapon when he was shot and his mother says she's been told he never touched the officer who shot him.

"I have been told by someone involved in the investigation that the videotape shows my son never touched the police officer," Bonnie Smith Collar told the Associated Press Monday. She did not elaborate on how the person was involved in the investigation.

The officer was placed on paid leave, and an autopsy will determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.

Campus officials said video of the confrontation, recorded by security cameras, and other information has been turned over to the district attorney and the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, which will review the shooting.

Collar's friends and officials at Wetumpka High School have described him as a popular student who excelled at sports but had a humble personality.

"I ask that everyone withhold their judgment about what did or did not happen until the evidence comes out," his mother said.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wetumpka High School. His mother said funeral arrangements have not yet been made yet.

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by enlightenu October 9, 2012 11:38 AM EDT: Aren't thugs in uniform, aka "cops", taught self defense anymore? Is shooting all they know?; Reply to this comment


by hille-fl October 8, 2012 10:08 PM EDT: I seem to remember a case in Miami where a guys face was eaten off, this guy didnt have a weapon either...don't be stupid you don't need a weapon to cause injury or death.; Reply to this comment


by hille-fl October 8, 2012 10:07 PM EDT: I seem to remember a case in Miami where a guys face was eaten off, this guy didnt have a weapon either...don't be stupid you don't need a weapon to cause injury or death.; Reply to this comment


by hille-fl October 8, 2012 10:06 PM EDT: I seem to remember a case in Miami where a guys face was eaten off, this guy didnt have a weapon either...don't be stupid you don't need a weapon to cause injury or death.; Reply to this comment


by LBMonizRetiredJournalist October 8, 2012 9:29 PM EDT: As a long-time crime reporter, this is an out-and-out case of second degree murder on the police officer's part. Being totally naked, there's no likelihood the victim had a "concealed" weapon and unless the youth was a professional fighter, his hands aren't enough to provide a lethal threat to a cop. Police are, or should be, obliged to follow the doctrine of accelerating force. As a larger city police captain explained it to me, any officer may use force one step higher than his attacker. If it's fists then the officer should use his hands. I once rolled with officers from one department answering a midnight call of an intruder in the house. The intruder was apprehended on the lawn. He was high on drugs and fought with huge physical strength. Rather than shooting or clubbing the intruder, five police officers, a neighbor and myself wrestled the man to the ground and handcuffed him. No one, not the intruder or those in the dwelling were injured.
If it is a knife or club then the officer can use mace or a baton. A firearm is to be used as a last resort for an officer to save his own life or that of another victim. A naked man knocking on a police station window hardly qualifies. The man could have needed help rather than being a nuisance. Did the officer even bother to inquire about that.; Reply to this comment


by thebob-bob October 8, 2012 2:26 PM EDT: Hell, in Alabama it's simple! Kid get's drunk and runs around? Shoot him!
Shee-it!; Reply to this comment


by emily3451 October 8, 2012 2:13 PM EDT: seems every single day is a new case of cops fatally shooting unarmed citizens. Last week was the mentally ill man in a wheel chair and his only weapon was a felt tip pen. Come on! Give me a break. We need to wake up and realize that our police forces all over the country are becoming militarized. It's a bad bad thing and one of the first things that happens when a country begins on it's journey to fascism. f the police.; Reply to this comment