Break ends, deadly night not forgotten

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - With fall break winding down for the University of South Alabama, many students are returning campus for the first time since the death of 18-year-old Gilbert Collar.

When Courtney Thomas goes back to class Thursday, she said there will be an empty seat in the classroom where Collar should be.

"He was just a really fun-loving, soft spoke, caring kind individual,” Thomas said.

Some students learned about Collar’s death while away on fall break. Others, who remained on campus over the weekend, remember an unusual Saturday morning.

 It was about 1:00-1:30 (a.m.) We were about half way down the hill which is close to the police station. We heard a gunshot, and it was just one shot. And I was like, ‘Ok, we need to get out of here’ said Cory Tippins.

Another student said he heard screaming around the same time Saturday morning.

“I was coming home. It was like 1:05, and I hear some screaming across the road, close to the police station. And I couldn't really see anybody, but I saw a few people over there. It was, like, really weird to hear screaming at like 1:05,” said Matthew Brewer.

 Some students were just getting to know Collar. They said they won’t forget him and how he was killed.

“He was going be a good guy for our future,” said Miranda Whitten.

The university offers free counseling services for students. Click here if you are interested.