Lincoln, NE - Action 3 News tracked down the woman who took in Thunder Collins as one of her own when he played in Lincoln. News of his arrest is hitting her hard.

"Honest to God, he's a good kid. This is a waste," said an emotional Mary Collier.

Mary considers Thunder her son. She can't believe he's behind bars accused of murder.

"This shouldn't have happened," Mary said.

She first met Thunder nine years ago when the Californian came to UNL. He hit it off so well with Mary's family, Thunder moved in.

"He just fit in," Mary said. "I never met someone who fit in so quick. He was one of the family."

And a role model to her five sons.

"He was an older brother. If my kids wanted a pair of shoes, Thunder gave them the money for it, or bought it and brought them back."

Thunder moved out of Mary's house last December with a goal.

"He wanted to get his degree. He wanted to be involved, he wanted to coach," Mary said.

Now Mary is left wondering what the future holds for Thunder.

"I'm telling you, this was a good kid with very good intentions of doing good things, big things, a lot of things, for kids," Mary said.

Mary last talked to Thunder on the phone Tuesday evening shortly after the shooting. At the time, it was rumored Thunder had been shot.  He was calling to tell her he was ok.

Reported by Chriss Knight, cknight@action3news.com