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Subscribe to RSSBIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A campus police officer at the University of South Alabama on Saturday shot and killed a naked freshman who repeatedly chased, threatened and rushed him, a university spokesman said.
Gilbert Thomas Collar, 18, died from a single bullet wound to the chest, spokesman Keith Ayres said.
Collar was ordered several times to halt and continued to challenge the officer even after being shot, Ayres said. He died at the scene.
The incident began shortly before 1:30 a.m. when the officer heard loud banging on the window of the campus police station. He drew his gun after finding the student in a fighting stance, according to Ayres.
The officer tried to calm Collar and retreated several times before shooting him, he said.
The spokesman declined to speculate on whether Collar was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An autopsy is likely, he said.
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, Ayres added.
The University of South Alabama is in Mobile and serves 15,000 students.
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The "cop" was in the office. He had electronic communication. Any goodofficer would have called for backup befoere going outside to confront a volatile situation....but no, he had to charge out like the lone ranger and blast the kid. This tragedy was totally avoidable had the rent a cop had some training and common sense. I hope the kid's parents sue the hell out of the school and the rent a cop. the school charges outrageous fees to attend and to sve money they hire some jerk for security...remember Kent State!
You people that judge other opinions that are stated are given the right say whats on your mind, but that doesn't mean to hide behind it. This campus officer was given the right training with a firearm and probably hand to hand techniques, and in my eyes followed through with correct levels of force given the circumstances. At the end of the day it comes to what you were trained on, nobody just goes to work knowing that they will shoot someone, unless you are deployed in the military, even so there are levels of force you go through, he yelled at the person....didn't work, showed the intent to use his firearm...didn't work, continued to yell at the person and even ran away...didn't work, even if you skip steps within the levels of force, if your life is threatened to the point where you have to use your firearm, you are justified. Just like how if someone was to break into your home, you either call the police and arm yourself while you find a place to hide or you find something to protect yourself, then call the cops after-wards, you are justified based on how your town laws are. If this campus officer was given a weapon to start off, then there were already problems to start off at that place or surrounding areas. I wasnt there since I live in MD, but I was a Military Police Officer for 6 years and a Baltimore City Police Officer for 10 and during that time I saw stupid sh1t, so I believe this officer was justified on his actions.
When all of you defenders of this cop has your child shot under similar circumstances remember what you said
here. The kid could have just came out of a pool with soap all over his body and I could have smacked his 135 lb. arse down with my issued service baton, point period! You people make it sound as though the cop had no other choice. Cops are brutal and the DOJ, FBI, and the Courts all over this Country cover for their skank arses in force. Try to sue a cop some time why don’t you then you will see whats up. Accountability is not at issue here, what is is how do they get out of this mess. Look in the mirror my arse. Wake up and do look in
the mirror. All of the junk here is hearsay and speculation with little known facts to support, yet what we know for sure is the kid was shot dead by the cop! Our Constitutions mean nothing and Martial Law is in full effect. Think before you post!
Mark
did you not noticed that NOT ALL OUR CHILDREN would do act the way this kid did -- so stop trying to lump EVERYONE into your need to think THIS KID was some kinda of gentle giant handing out lollypops and glitter.
you keep trying to impress your SIZE AND STRENGTH but need to compensate it here when someone else was THERE.
give it a rest, masochism is something that could die too. because in the end, you have 3 victims this guy hurt, try to use your brain and ask yourself, what if he hurt someone you loved tough guy!
Lollypops and what, you blabbering again, use your time at the keyboard a little more resourcefully Bubba cause you got to go back to lockdown soon :-)
MARK
your mentality is showing and your maturity is lacking. in either case as stated before, nice try to act like you know what you would do.
You just doubled your I.Q., LOL
MARK
LIKE I SAID before all i need to know about you is what you TYPED, nobody forced you to stick out your chest and make a claim to know how to deal with a naked crazy kid but YOU TYPE IT, FOOL.
Those who resort to name calling have limited ability to reason. Learn to think and then try to blog or be ready to be owned. Who you calling crazy Bubba
MARK
thats what you said, that is assuming that it would have mattered if he was on lsd and already being fighting with 2 other people-- yeah ok tough guy!!
There seems to be an alarming trend towards law enforcement operating under the "shoot first" mentality. I've read several comments here, and elsewhere, stating that LE are under no obligation to "risk" themselves in the line of duty. Or, words to that effect. Never was inclined to be a part of that group. Having spent many years in the service, and operating under different ROE's (rules of engagement), Many armed situations I was directly involved in were settled without a use of deadly force. This included confrontations with mobs, those under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and well armed adversaries. The point is, that killing wasn't the only option when I had that option available. Several commenter's here have indicated that this LE reacted accordingly. Considering he was obviously alone, and assuming that his mentality of "risk" is like other LE's, why did he not call for support? I find it very unlikely that he had no "non lethal" weapon(s). Even our "country" LE here carry pepper spray and tasers. The story doesn't "wash." Considering the numerous accounts of LE related shootings, I'm inclined to believe that, the need to draw that firearm and use it, clouds ones ability to think past a John Wayne mentality. I saw it in the military. The "untested" needed to prove their meddle. It's no different in LE circles. It's a "meat eater" mentality. The "respect" shown to that "meat eater" elevates the reputation. Don't be misled by the docile attitude some display here. You do not join the Marines, Army Combat Arms, or law enforcement if you are not questioning yourself and whether or not you have what it takes. Anyone who says different is not being honest. No one joins a PD without recognizing the odds and questioning themselves about it. That officer confronted that kid by himself because he held the advantage...a firearm and the authority to use it. If he had been unarmed, he would have stayed in his "office" until back up arrived. He knew he had the situation in his favor and he got the answer. He killed an unarmed and unclothed person. His peers will slap him on the back, make jokes, and give him everything he needs to feel justified. He could have handled the situation differently, in spite of what others may say here. The true test is when you have a worthy opponent willing to engage you back. Los Angeles, CA., 1994 is a prime example of that. Let's be honest about it all.
Cops are becoming like other gun toters....COWARDS
Was the kid too much for the punk officer to use a night stick or taser?
..."other gun toters...cowards." Just where did you get the facts to summarize "all" firearm carriers as "cowards?" A firearm is a tool. One uses the appropriate tool for the job at hand (or should). Categorizing all who carry as cowards is a little narrow minded and uninformed. I do agree that there are an alarming amount of LE killing unarmed folks for the slightest provocation. And this is a cowardly act to the majority. One on one, these morons are likely as not to confront an armed opponent with the willingness to engage. That's why they use "overwhelming force", be it 10 to 1, or an unarmed individual. This is just another incident of abuse by law enforcement. LA riots of 93 proved LE mettle when the playing field is evened. Just an opinion though.
Lay off the drugs people.
And this is what you conclude over this kids death, really? Does anybody know if the poor kid was slipped a mickey and then stripped his clothes off. Who fing knows. In 28 seconds the cop decided to take a shot. Now days cops feel justified to use deadly force if someone touches their uniform let alone approach them naked.
I taught shooting, gun control for 23 years. A knee shot will drive the aggression out of any person. that includes people on drugs, alcohol, or suffering a mental illness. But Cops continue to shoot to kill. Stupidity is not cured by pinning on a badge, or a uniform.
a knee shot, will prove that anyy aggresive person will stop
I'm sorry....a naked man cannot be enough of a threat to an armed policeman to warrant killing the dude. This cop is way out of line. This fine young man, with a loving family and friends, did not deserve to die just because he was stupid enough to try dropping acid. My heart goes out to his loved ones....what a tragic and unnecessary waste.
nah..don't worry about shooting the guy in the leg, or arm, or shoulder...go right for the center of the chest. brilliant. i wonder if he will at least apologize to the kid's family...
or maybe even choke him out...punk him out...whatever it takes....mace maybe? a tazer? k9? But lethal force used on an unarmed NAKED KID? outstanding...
Another cop acting like a thug!
it's a good thing it wasn't a coon dont wanna wake JessyJackass
wow...racist much ?
bubblegum
sorry but you gotta go, racist rereg troll
Weeks old now. No longer news. If you don't have news to post, don't bother posting.
I can't remember. Is this article from last month or last year? Either way, it's been sitting here purpotedly as news for quite a while. Put up some fresh news, please. Even if it isn't sensationalism.