Richard Collins III appeared to have a long, prosperous career ahead of him. At 23, he had just been commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was preparing to graduate from Bowie State University this week. Instead, he was stabbed in a killing a the University of Maryland this weekend that is now being investigated as a hate crime.

The Baltimore Sun reports that local police and the FBI have updated their investigation of the killing after finding out more about the assailant, Sean Christoper Urbanski, 22. Investigators found that Urbanski was an active member of a racist Facebook group called “Alt-Reich Nation.”

“When I look at the information that’s contained on that website, suffice it to say that it’s despicable, it shows extreme bias against women, Latinos, persons of Jewish faith and especially African-Americans,” said University Police Chief David Mitchell.

Collins was standing on the sidewalk with two friends early Saturday morning as they waited for an Uber. That’s when Urbanski, noticeably intoxicated, was seen running towards them and yelling.

“Step left, step left if you know what’s best for you,” he said, according to police charging documents. Collins responded with “no” and Urbanski proceeded to stab him. When authorities arrived, Collins was on the ground and transported to a hospital where he died. Urbanski was apprehended and authorities found a folding knife.

“On behalf of our entire community, I want to express our profound sorrow and anguish, for this horrific tragedy,” he said. He called the killing “a senseless and unprovoked assault,” and asked the audience to stand “to express our profound sorrow and anguish, for this horrific tragedy.”

“We are still in shock that a young man, so full of promise, should have his life cut short, so suddenly,” said

“On behalf of our entire community, I want to express our profound sorrow and anguish, for this horrific tragedy,” said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh during a graduation ceremony on Sunday.

“We are still in shock that a young man, so full of promise, should have his life cut short, so suddenly,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with the entire Bowie State University community.”

Rev. Darryl L. Godlock served as a spokesperson for the Collins family. However, his statements came under fire as the phrase, “This was not a thug,” implied that one life is worth more than another and the killing of a “thug” in this instance would’ve been somewhat justified.  [This is similar to the narrative of Jordan Edwards being a good student.]

Collins’ death has reignited as discussion of toxic race relations on University of Maryland’s campus. Just a few months ago, a noose was found in a fraternity house.

“The safety of our campus community remains a top priority,” Loh said Sunday. “We must all do more to nurture a climate — on campus and beyond —where we stand against hate, we fight against hate crimes, and we reaffirm the values that define us as a university and as a democracy.”

Urbanski has been held without bond as he’s been deemed a “clear danger” to the community.

Bowie State University prepares to mourn Collins death during a graduation ceremony he should’ve been a part of.