Campus cop kills naked student in Alabama

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MOBILE, Ala., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A University of South Alabama campus police officer Saturday shot and killed a student who was nude and acting erratically, a school spokesman said.

The slain student was identified as Gilbert Thomas Collar, 18, of Wetumpka, AL.com reported. University spokesman Keith Ayers said he was shot once in the chest, the news website said.

The name of the officer who shot Collar had not been been released. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Ayers, who read from a prepared statement, said he could not comment further when asked if it was suspected Collar was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The incident began with a loud bang on a window of the police station shortly before a.m., AL.com said.

"When an officer exited the station to investigate, he was confronted by a muscular, nude man who was acting erratically," Ayers said. "The man repeatedly rushed toward the officer and verbally challenged the officer in a fighting stance."

The officer drew his gun, ordered Collar to stop and backed up several times to try to defuse the situation, Ayers said.

The school spokesman said Collar kept coming at the officer "in a threatening manner,' then knelt momentarily, rose and rushed at the retreating officer, Ayers said.

The officer fired his gun after the student ignored his commands to stop, Ayers said.

"The individual fell to the ground, but he got up once more and continued to challenge the officer further before collapsing and expiring," Ayers said.