The University of Maryland student who was charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Bowie State University Student is expected to appear in court Monday afternoon for a bail review hearing.
The hearing will take place in Prince George’s County District Court.
Sean Christopher Urbanski, a white 22-year-old student at this university, was charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree assault, in connection with the stabbing of 23-year-old Richard Collins III, a black student at Bowie State University.
Collins was a newly commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was set to graduate on Tuesday.
Urbanski approached Collins and his two friends at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning and said to Collins, “Step left, step left if you know what’s good for you,” University Police Chief David Mitchell said at a news conference Sunday evening. Collins “looked puzzled” and said no before Urbanski stabbed him in the chest, causing Collins to fall backward.
Collins was was taken to Prince George’s Hospital’s Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead later that morning.
University Police said at a news conference Sunday the FBI will be involved with the investigation to determine whether the stabbing was a hate crime.
Urbanski was part of a Facebook group called “Alt-Reich: Nation,” which contains numerous racist posts.
At the news conference, Bowie State’s Student Affairs Vice President Artie Lee Travis called the incident an alleged hate crime.
“Hate has no place in America,” he said. “Hate has no place on a college campus, where young minds are coming together to try to change the world. They can’t change the world if they’re not here.”
A vigil is being held for Collins at Bowie State University Monday at 7 p.m.
CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, a previous version of this story incorrectly stated Urbanski was arrested for fatally stabbing Collins. Urbanski has been charged with murder in the case, but a verdict has not been reached. This article has been updated.
