A Kansas college football player who was drafted to the New York Giants on Saturday was reportedly wounded hours later in a shooting that killed his former teammate.
According to ESPN, Washburn University defensive back Dwane Simmons, 23, was killed while his teammate, Corey Ballentine, 23, a cornerback drafted to the New York Giants in the sixth round, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. University officials said Ballentine is expected to make a full recovery.
“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 Giants said in a statement issued to NFL.com. “Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons’ family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community.”
KSNT reported that police responding to a shooting four blocks from Washburn University discovered Simmons’ body at around 1 a.m. Sunday. Authorities said the college junior was fatally shot at an off-campus party.
Ballentine reportedly called Simmons’ father Sunday morning and informed him about the shooting, telling him, “No, Mr. Simmons, it’s not good.”
Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear. A spokesperson for Topeka police told ESPN that dozens of people were at the party and that police are in the process of gathering evidence and witness statements.
“We want to emphasize that we need those who were present to let us know what they saw,” the spokesperson said.
Anyone with information regarding Sunday’s deadly shooting in Topeka can call Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
[Featured image: Corey Ballentine, Dwane Simmons/Washburn University via KSNT]