U. of South Alabama Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit

MOBILE, Ala. — The family of University of South Alabama (USA) freshman Gil Collar, who was fatally shot by campus police, filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday against the university and two of its police officers.

The lawsuit seeks both an unspecified amount of money for Collar’s death. It also asks that USA provide additional training to officers and arm the school police forces with less-lethal weapons, the Associated Press reports. The university; Trevis Austin; the officer said to have shot Collar; university police chief Zeke Aull; and anyone else who evidence shows might have had a role in Collar’s death have all been named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Austin shot Collar on Oct. 6 outside the university police station. At the time, the student was nude and appeared to be on some type of drug. Authorities said Collar acted aggressively toward the officer and stood in a fighting stance; however, investigators later said the freshman never touched the officer. Austin has been on paid leave since the shooting.

The family maintains that it would likely use the money won in the lawsuit to start a scholarship fund.

Read the full story.

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