4 UCF football players removed from team after loaded gun found in car on campus

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Four players have been removed from the University of Central Florida football team after a loaded gun was found in one of their vehicles during a traffic stop, according to the university.

Eyewitness News has confirmed that Randy Charlton, Kenny Turnier, Eric Mitchell, and Antwan Collier have been removed from the team.

“As of today, there are some young men who are no longer part of our football program," UCF head football coach Josh Heupel said in a prepared statement. "Our team discipline is handled internally, so I am not going to mention specific names. We will ensure these individuals have ongoing access to academic and health services as we continue to support them in those areas.”

Charlton and Turnier posted apologies to social media.

READ: UCF football player arrested after loaded gun found in car on campus, police say

Collier, 22, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed firearm and driving with a suspended license during a traffic stop early Thursday.

Campus police stopped Collier just after 2:30 a.m. at Gemini Boulevard and Libra Drive for driving carelessly, according to a police report. Three other students who were believed to be football players were also in the car at the time.

Collier told police he had a firearm under his seat and attempted to reach for it, the police report states, but was told to leave it until the officer could retrieve it.

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The officer conducted a search of the vehicle after smelling marijuana, and the firearm was located under the driver’s seat with a live round in the chamber, according to the police report.

While police were searching the car and talking to Collier and his passengers, another group who identified themselves as students and football players showed up and were visibly upset. At least one of the players started cursing at the officers.

Cox Media Group