The Orono community is mourning the loss of 2010 Orono High School graduate Colton Gleason, who died Friday, Sept. 21, following injuries to the head that he suffered after an assault that took place within a mile of the St. Cloud State University campus around 11:20 p.m. Thursday.  Gleason, a Mankato State University junior, was rushed to the St. Cloud Hospital where he succumbed to head trauma.

“Gleason was walking with two female friends when a car passed them in the alley,” according to the St. Cloud Times.  The “vehicle then stopped and one of the car’s occupants got out and punched Gleason, who hit his head when he fell to the ground,” according to the Star Tribune.

At this time, police have charged a Sauk Rapids 17-year-old male,  Jesse Smithers, with one count of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree manslaughter and one count of first-degree assault. Smithers remains in custody until his Oct. 2 court date.

Gleason was a member of the Orono High School Men’s Varsity soccer team and was captain his senior year.  The Orono boys soccer team “will be retiring his jersey number [#15], the same number worn by both of his brothers Steven and Justin” at the Orono Men’s Varsity soccer game this Thursday, Sept. 27 against Glencoe-Silver Lake in honor of the life of Gleason.

Gleason “was a great leader and an inspiration to many on and off the field” according to a Facebook page set up to honor Gleason.  His father said that he“went to the defense of others one last time” as reported in the St. Cloud Times.

Gleason will be greatly missed throughout the Orono community.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMktF3yHMY8

Video by Woody Hust and Peter Makarov the Sports Editors for The Spartan Speaks.

Margeaux Dittrich is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Spartan Speaks.