Bowie State University student Richard Collins III was supposed to graduate on Tuesday but sadly his life was cut short as he was stabbed to death at a bus stop on the the University of Maryland campus whilst visiting friends. His murder is being investigated by the FBI as a potential hate crime. His attacker, Sean Christopher Urbanski, was said to be a member of a racist Facebook group.

At the ceremony the University honored the beloved student with a cap and gown draped over a front row seat. His bachelor’s degree was awarded posthumously and his family accepted the diploma in his place.

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Lt. Richard Collins III's gown rests on a seat at the Bowie State graduation. Police say #SeanUrbanski killed him.https://t.co/f7FlVBUneu pic.twitter.com/vJSuS9mdHd

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) May 23, 2017