“If grades start falling at the University of North Texas next semester, we may know why.” Caleb Downs, Dallas News

Fans of UNT’s tradition of housing albino squirrels ranges from curious observers, to students trying to raise their mediocre grades. Even those on campus who are unaware of the tradition are still struck by awe when they are able to catch a glimpse of the rare albino squirrel called Lucky. But recent news reports that our love and awe have been met by tragedy in the midst of this holiday season.

Yesterday afternoon, news broke that Lucky, UNT’s beloved albino squirrel, had been killed on campus near Highland St. The news quickly spread on social media, and reactions varied from immediate sadness to active anger. But no matter their initial reaction to the news, one thing is true for most UNT students and alumni: We want the truth about Lucky’s death.

2016 has been a difficult year for the University of North Texas. The very first day of 2016 a student beloved by many was shot, and later died. Just two weeks before this, another UNT student was shot by the UNT police after exhibiting threatening and mysterious behavior, launching a social media storm and reports about the “Ax-man” on Fry Street. UNT closed out the 2015 year in a storm of controversy, and began the new year in the midst of tragedy.

As 2016 comes to a close, although we remain thankful not to have lost any students in the month of December, the year will still end on a sad note: The University will mourn the death of Lucky, the beloved albino squirrel.

Reports indicate that Lucky was struck by a car traveling down Highland St. on the afternoon of December 20. Although the driver’s identity has been protected so far, reports on Facebook and Reddit confirm that Lucky’s fans will stop at nothing to find out who was driving the car. The driver sustained no injuries, and regardless of how you’re handling your grief, it is good news that the driver is safe and suffered no physical harm.

Caleb Downs of Dallas News reported that “[a]ccording to a Facebook post in Lucky's honor, he died with a caring UNT staff member while being rushed to the emergency veterinarian”. The University and fans alike mourn Lucky’s death. But as we remember him, it has been brought up that Lucky is not the first famous albino squirrel to have died on campus. And historically, when UNT has lost an albino squirrel it is not long before the University releases a replacement squirrel on campus. UNT even confirmed via Twitter that Lucky, wasn’t the only “Lucky” roaming around, and there are in fact multiple albino squirrels that roam the grounds of UNT. For more on the history of albino squirrels on UNT's campus, visit North Texas Daily.

For more news on Lucky's memorial service, follow @UNTStaffSenate on twitter.

Regardless of where you are in the grief process, while we anxiously await the arrival of Lucky's replacement, we remember him and his life.