Mother of slain USA student says son never touched officer - WBRC FOX6 News - Birmingham, AL

The mother of Gil Collar, who was shot and killed by a police officer at the University of South Alabama on Saturday,  says her son never touched the officer.

Bonnie Collar told WSFA 12 News this morning that,  "investigators have told her that her son never touched the officer before the shooting and is asking the community to withhold judgment until the investigation is completed."

A police officer at the University of South Alabama fatally shot Collar, who was naked at the time, and whom authorities said repeatedly charged the officer.

University officials said the confrontation happened early Saturday morning when the officer went outside a police station to investigate a banging noise at a window.

Once outside, the officer was confronted by a naked man acting erratically.

Authorities said the man repeatedly charged the officer, who pulled his gun and retreated several times in an attempt to defuse the situation. When the man made a final charge, the officer shot him once in the chest.

Local prosecutors are investigating the shooting. The officer who fired the shot has been placed on paid administrative leave.

A vigil is planned for Collar, a Wetumpka High School graduate, for Tuesday at 6:00pm at The Wetumpka High School.

Those who attend are asked to bring candles and personalized rubber duckies, which will be given to the family following the vigil. There will be prayers and an opportunity for friends and family members to share and remember Collar with stories. 

Copyright 2012  WSFA 12 News.  All rights reserved. 

AP contributed to this story.