U. of Maryland Student Is Charged With Hate Crime in Killing of Bowie State Student

Sean Christopher Urbanski was charged on Tuesday with committing a hate crime in the May 20 killing of Richard W. Collins III at the University of Maryland at College Park, The Washington Post reported. Mr. Urbanski, who is white, had been arrested in the stabbing of Mr. Collins, a black student at Bowie State University.

The FBI and other authorities are investigating whether Mr. Urbanski’s attack was racially charged. He was a member of the Facebook group “Alt-Reich: Nation.” Mr. Urbanski, who was a student at Maryland, has also been charged with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Mr. Collins, who was waiting for an Uber ride with friends, was approached by Mr. Urbanski, who said, “Step left if you know what’s best for you,” according to the police. When Mr. Collins refused, the police say, Mr. Urbanski stabbed Mr. Collins and fled the scene. Mr. Collins, a newly commissioned U.S. Army lieutenant who was to graduate from Bowie State only a few days later, died soon after being stabbed.

Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County state’s attorney, wants Mr. Urbanski to face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if he is convicted, according to the Post. His trial will commence in January.