TOPEKA, Kan. — A college football player who was just drafted by the NFL is injured and his teammate was killed in a shooting in Topeka, Kansas.
WBIW reported that Washburn University confirmed 23-year-old Dwane Simmons, a junior at the school and a member of the college's football team, died in the shooting early Sunday.
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Corey Ballentine was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants on Saturday night, hours before the shooting.
"Heartbreaking news about Dwane Simmons," Washburn head football coach Craig Schurig said in a news release. "Dwane is one of the most energetic and well-liked players I have ever coached at Washburn. Dwane's infectious smile and love for football and his teammates was truly inspirational. Our prayers of healing go out to his family, his parents Navarro and Yasmine Simmons and Chaquilla Williams."
Washburn mourns loss of Ichabod football player Dwane Simmons https://t.co/ExJ6cNiECl
— Washburn Athletics (@wusports) April 28, 2019
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that Topeka Police Department Lt. Andrew Beightel said in a news release that Ballentine, 23, was taken to an area hospital in a private vehicle. He has a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Updated on last night's homicide
Posted by Topeka Police Department on Sunday, April 28, 2019
"We are aware of the tragic situation and continue to gather information. We have spoken to Corey, and he is recovering in the hospital," the New York Giants said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons' family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community."
Statement from the #NYGiants: We are aware of the tragic situation and continue to gather information. We have spoken to Corey, and he is recovering in the hospital. Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons’ family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community.
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 28, 2019
"Any time we lose a student it is a sad occasion, but it is particularly poignant to lose a student through such a senseless act," Washburn University President Dr. Jerry Farley said in a letter to the campus community. "Both Dwane and Corey have been great examples and representatives of the football team and of Washburn University in general.
“This was a terrible way to end a day which should have been a day of celebration and a day to look forward to Dwane’s upcoming year at Washburn and the beginning of Corey’s professional career.”
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