Watch CBS News

Twitter Used In Effort Find Greenfield Man's Killer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Friends of a 20-year-old Greenfield man are turning to social media to help find the person who punched him in a St. Cloud alley, causing his death.

Colton Gleason was walking down an alley last Thursday night when a car with several people inside traveling the opposite direction stopped. Someone got out of the car and punched Gleason. His head hit the ground. He died a day later at the hospital from head trauma.

Gleason had lots of friends, and they have put together a Twitter account to help solve the crime.

Lauren Thorson, Gleason's girlfriend, said she will miss staring into the eyes of her friend and fishing buddy.

"He was definitely more [than] a just boyfriend to me; he was definitely there for me," she said.

Thorson says Colton had a way of making everyone he met feel special. Gleason's friends put together a Twitter account (@Justice4Colton).

"People are writing memories on it," Thorson said. "They are putting pictures up, just little blurps about him that, you know, make me smile."

Gleason's friends hope the account gets the word out about the unprovoked attack.

Police say there were several people in the car that was in that alley Thursday night (Sept. 20).

Thorson hopes the people who witnessed the punch come forward.

"Just tell us who did it, because we really...would like to see justice for him," Thorson said.

Colton's family, friends and girlfriend hope social media helps lead them to the person responsible for taking him away. Colton's family is also offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information on the case.

"So many people cared for him," Thorson said. "[the Twitter account] just shows you that there's a lot of people out there that want to figure out who did this to him."

Colton was the captain of his soccer team at Orono High School. On Thursday night, the team will honor him by retiring his jersey.

Also, a memorial fund has also been set up for Colton. You can donate at any US Bank.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.