New details released on USA shooting

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - We learned new details on Tuesday about the officer-involved shooting death of an 18-year-old University of South Alabama student.

Gilbert Collar died of a gunshot wound after police said he charged an officer while naked.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation and has released findings from the investigation.

Officials said the police officer who fired the shot was 27-year-old Trevis Austin, and he's been with the department for four years.

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Sheriff Sam Cochran said this is his first police job.

And the Sheriff said when Collar charged Austin and while under the influence of LSD.

Cochran said Collar spent Friday night downtown.

Cochran said, "The deceased apparently had attended BayFest. And apparently, we believe, had ingested some LSD."

“We are very concerned about that allegation that the student was under the influence of controlled substances, and we will be trying to research and trying to find out exactly where the student got these drugs. I would like nothing more than if that is the case, that we catch who is responsible for selling or providing these drugs to the student if that’s determined to be the case,” said Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich.

Authorities said after Collar returned to campus, he stripped down, left the dorm and assaulted victims inside two cars.

Cochran said, "One victim advised that he had grabbed her arm and was trying to bite her on the arm and making weird noises and statements toward this victim."

Cochran said Collar then went to the police department and loudly banged on the window, as if he was trying to break in.

Officer Austin responded with a weapon drawn, and Cochran said over the course of two minutes, Austin retreated, asking Collar to stand down.

Cochran said, “The suspect in the (surveillance) video is seen to jump down at the ground and lunge toward the officer a few times, making motions towards him, back up but he continues to press the officer as the officer retreated some 50 to 60 feet off this back porch area of the precinct.”

And then off view from the surveillance camera, Austin shot Collar in the chest.

Cochran said, "Had the officer had a taser, or some other less lethal instrument, I do not know if that officer would have had an opportunity to shoulder his pistol, holster his pistol and to use something else because the events were evolving so rapidly. And he was so close that had he put the pistol in its holster, I don't know if he could've drawn something else."

Rich said Saturday, Austin was working at his desk in his office and did not have his lapel camera on.

 

“At that time, he was writing a report. And it’s my understanding that while he was writing the report, the camera was on charge mode because he was in his office,” said Rich.

Cochran said it's too early to jump to conclusions.

“You’ve got to understand that in the use of force or deadly force, if someone is capable of overpowering you and taking your weapon away, then they’re capable of using deadly force against you. Once a police officer has a weapon out, then that weapon is available for the suspect to take it away from him unless you can maintain control. So you’ve got to look at it in that (light.)”

Officer Austin is on paid administrative leave, and the investigation continues. Cochran said authorities are also looking for whoever gave Collar LSD.

Cochran said that person could be charged with murder.

The sheriff said the family will watch the surveillance video sometime before Wednesday, and then on Thursday, the media will be given an opportunity to watch the video as well.

However, we will not be allowed to record it, and it will not be made public.

But the sheriff wants to let reporters see it so we can get a better idea of what happened.

“All of that evidence will be presented to a grand jury, and it will be the responsibility of the grand jury to make the determination as to whether this was justified or not and if charges should be filed,” Rich said.