Just hours after being selected by the Giants with the No. 180 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Corey Ballentine, 23, was involved in an altercation, where he was shot. Ballentine’s roommate, Washburn football player Dwane Simmons, 23, was killed in the off-campus shooting incident early Sunday morning.
Both had been members of the Washburn Ichabods football team. Washburn is a public university located in Topeka, KS, with just under 7000 students.
Ballentine and Simmons were at a house party outside a home in the 1400 block of SW 13th Street. Officers responding to the incident at about 12:45 a.m. reported that Simmons had died at the scene.
Ballentine, 23, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He is expected to make a full recovery
Washburn president Dr. Jerry Farley released the following statement:
Simmons was a defensive back from Lee’s Summit, MO. Washburn head football coach Craig Schurig released the following statement after news of Simmons’ passing:
“Heartbreaking news about Dwane Simmons,” Schurig said on Washburn’s official website. “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.”
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Police have not released any information about possible suspects.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400 or Shawnee Co. Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. Anonymous tips can also be made online at www.p3tips.com/128.
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