Gil Collar's Mother pens open letter

MOBILE,Ala.(WALA) - For the first time since the USA student's death, Gil Collar's mother wrote to the university community about the shooting of her son.

Bonnie Collar released an open letter to the students of University of South Alabama in The Vanguard, detailing her grief, her son's legacy and to show her appreciation to those who reached out to her family.

"I am writing this to thank those of you who said a prayer for us, sent us a card, lit a candle, signed a petition, or simply ask "why?" In all the chaos and controversy after Gil was killed, it seems that many have lost sight of the essential truth of what happened," said Bonnie Collar.

Collar told students the college life is much different than their familiar hometown's and to take caution.

"Some of you, like Gil, may have come to the University from a tight-knit small community similar to our beloved Wetumpka, AL, where your friends were those you'd known since pre-school and you seldom saw someone you did not know or could not trust. Things are different away from home," Collar said.

Read the full letter on the Vanguard's website

Collar was shot and killed by an on-duty police officer on the University of South Alabama's campus after officials say he ingested a research chemical known as 25-I and erratically approached the officer pm October 6, 2012.

The editor of the student newspaper Cassie Fambro worked with Bonnie on the release of the letter.

“It hits you regardless of if you've lost anyone or gone through anything. Anyone that has gone to a new environment can relate to this letter,” Fambro said.

In the letter, Bonnie said things are different in college compared to back home. She wrote:

“You cannot assume that everyone you meet has your best interest at heart. A police officer you see on the street is not the same as the one back home who coached your baseball team for half your life,” wrote Bonnie.

The letter resonated with student Margaret Pemu.

“I  understand where she's coming from. I understand her point of view; that's actually pretty good advice for whoever cares to listen,”  Pemu said.

Freshman Michael Herring believes Bonnie's message will help bring some closure to a campus still dealing with collar's death.

"The vibe isn't as thick I guess as it was when it first happened; but there is still some tension I guess between students and officers,” Herring said.

Last Thursday, Trevis Austin, the officer who shot Collar returned to active duty at USA, after a grand jury cleared him of any charges in the case. Austin is still named in a civil suit filed by the family's attorney earlier this year.