Fatal stabbing of Bowie State University student was hate crime, prosecutor says

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - A suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Bowie State University student will face hate crime charges, officials announced on Tuesday.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said 22-year-old Sean Urbanski killed 23-year-old Lt. Richard Collins III because of the color of his skin back in May on the University of Maryland campus.

Alsobrooks said officials drew the conclusion after investigating Urbanski's background. At the time of the stabbing, police said they had discovered Urbanski was a member of a racist group on Facebook called Alt-Reich Nation, which is hateful toward women and minorities.

Collins, a senior at Bowie State University, had been out with friends celebrating his promotion to second lieutenant in the United States Army when he was attacked.

Police say Urbanski, a student at the University of Maryland, approached Collins and his friends at about 3 a.m. on May 20 as they waited for an Uber on Regents Drive near Montgomery Hall. According to investigators, Urbanski yelled at Collins before stabbing him in the chest. Collins was rushed to Prince George's Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

Urbanski already faced the possibility of life without parole if convicted of murder. His trial is expected to take place in January.

Bowie State University issued a statement saying:

"The Bowie State University community continues to mourn the loss of 2nd Lt. Richard Collins III, whose life was taken in a senseless act of violence. While it is encouraging to see progress being made in the criminal case, we continue to reflect on the precious life lost."

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5 for updates.

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