A local college student, Andrew Thomas Graney, 23, was arrested Thursday in a string of shootings around southwest Raleigh.
In a one-on-one phone interview on Friday, his mother, Treka Graney, told WRAL News she hasn't seen her son for several months.
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In fact, Treka Graney only learned of her son's arrest when WRAL reporter Chris Lovingood texted her seeking more information about the man accused of firing shots into cars and homes this week.
"It totally took me off guard," Treka Graney said in a phone call with Lovingood. "It is totally out of character ... he's a sweet boy. Everybody loves him. He's always stands up straight, he's very polite. He always follows the rules."
On Friday, Lovingood texted Treka Graney a link to the WRAL article about her son's arrest so she could confirm it was him and read what happened.
Her shock was evident over the phone when she saw her son's mugshot and skimmed the article.
"Oh, my gosh. This is just not him," Treka Graney said.
In the nearly 20-minute phone call with WRAL News, Treka Graney said repeatedly, "This is not my son."
She described Andrew Graney as an Eagle Scout and a "straight A kid."
"I was so proud of him, and I still am very proud of him," she said. "I have no idea really still what's going on."
Treka Graney said she had trouble processing how her son could face weapon charges.
"My kids were never allowed to play with guns," Treka Graney said of how she raised her kids. "Not water guns, stick guns. Anything dealing with a gun. It was absolutely not allowed."
Andrew Graney is currently enrolled as a senior at North Carolina State University, majoring in anthropology, the university confirmed. A spokesperson for N.C. State said he formerly worked as a resident assistant (RA) in 2022, but that he is currently not employed with the university.
Treka Graney, who is from High Point, said her son was not exposed to guns when he lived at home and questioned if his peers in college influenced him.
"[Guns] were absolutely not allowed in my house or at their friend's house," she said.
WRAL News asked Treka Graney whether her son ever owned a gun before.
"That's right," she said. "Not even a water gun!"
Treka Graney said she doesn't speak with her son often. He last visited home in the summer, and he doesn't use his phone a lot, she said.
"All I can tell you is the kid that I raised is not this kid," she added.
Andrew Graney faces multiple felonies, including one count of assault with a deadly weapon and 11 counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling or vehicle. The shootings, which occurred in a span of four days between Nov. 4 and Nov. 7, hit multiple cars on Interstate 40 and several homes.
One person was injured, a woman who was shot in the leg Monday on I-40 near Cary.
In Friday's phone call, Treka Graney reacted not only to the crimes her son is accused of but to his appearance in his mugshot.
"He's always kept his hair clean cut," she said. "He looks like a mess. It just makes me fall on my knees and cry."
WRAL News was there Thursday as Andrew Graney was taken into custody. More than two dozen police officers swarmed a neighborhood on Kentford Court in southwest Raleigh. Sky 5 flew overhead and captured video as a handcuffed man, later identified as Graney, was led to a Raleigh police SUV.
Authorities used cellphone tower data and 0.45-caliber shell casings to link the shootings to Andrew Graney, according to search warrants obtained by WRAL News.
Before the arrest, a WRAL News crew parked at the scene and neighbors heard at least two flash bangs, and residents were asked to stay inside their homes.
On Friday, Treka Graney said she wonders if her son was under the influence of drugs and said she hopes a blood test is performed.
When WRAL News asked the mother what she would say to her son, she replied, "That I love him and I'm here for him."