AVON LAKE, Ohio -- A 20-year-old Avon Lake Marine has been critically wounded in Iraq.

Colin Smith is a 2005 graduate of Avon Lake High School. According to his father, the young Marine is brain-dead and is on life support in Germany.

The students at Avon Lake have been hit hard by the news because many of them remember Smith, NewsChannel5 reported.

"For the kids here, it's hard. He's a 2005 graduate so there are a number of kids who still remember him and it's devastating," said Superintendent Bob Scott.

The information about what happened is still unclear. Students and faculty at first thought the Marine had died. They set up a memorial but quickly tore it down after learning that Smith was still alive.

Teachers said Smith's mother lives in Grafton and his father lives in Lorain.

Some who know Smith said it had been his goal to join the military after graduation and serve his country.