Former Nebraska RB Thunder Collins

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Former Nebraska RB Collins charged with murder

By ERIC OLSON
AP Sports Writer
OMAHA, Neb. ? Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins was arrested Wednesday, nearly 24 hours after a shooting left one person dead and another seriously wounded, police have confirmed. Collins is in police custody and faces murder charges, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said.
Police also arrested Karnell Burton, 20, on suspicion of criminal homicide, attempted first-degree murder, and weapons charges. And an arrest warrant was issued for Ahmad Johnson, 21. Both Collins and Johnson face first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and felony weapons charges, Kleine said.
Timothy Thomas was killed about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday during a drug deal in a midtown Omaha neighborhood, authorities said. Around the same time, a white SUV hit several cars nearby. Police found Marshall Turner ? who'd been hit by gunfire ? inside. He was in critical condition Wednesday at an Omaha hospital.
Collins, 29, played for the Cornhuskers from 2000-02. He quit the team after being suspended four games for an undisclosed NCAA rules violation, and he has had a string of run-ins with the law since.
Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner who played with Collins at Nebraska, said Collins seemed to be doing well when the two bumped into each other at the Ultimate Fighting Championship matches in Omaha last week. Crouch said they spoke for about 20 minutes.
"Thunder always has been a personable guy, a likable guy, so this comes as a shock," Crouch said. "You can be very likable and have your own personal issues."
Crouch said Collins told him that he hoped to hook on with a Canadian Football League team next year and that in the meantime he was working in promotions for an Omaha company. Crouch said Collins offered no other details about his activities.
"I left it at that," Crouch said. "I didn't want to ask too many questions."


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