Giants draft pick Corey Ballantine injured, Washburn teammate killed in off-campus shooting
Giants draft pick Corey Ballantine was wounded in an overnight shooting that also killed Washburn teammate Dwane Simmons.
New York Giants sixth-round draft pick Corey Ballantine was injured in an off-campus shooting on Saturday night, just hours after receiving word that he would have a spot on an NFL team. His Washburn teammate, Dwane Simmons, was killed in the incident.
According to WIBW in Topeka, Kansas, officers responded to the scene at 12:45 AM local time after being alerted of gunfire. Simmons was declared dead on the scene, while Ballantine suffered injuries that are considered not life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing.
Washburn University President, Dr. Jerry Farley, released the following statement:
"To the campus community:We come to you this morning with sad and difficult news. Early this morning two of our students were the victims of an off-campus shooting. Dwane Simmons, a junior and a member of the football team, was killed in the incident. In addition, Corey Ballentine, a senior, was injured. Ballentine is expected to make a full recovery.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. 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.While we extend our deepest sympathies to Dwane’s family, we also want to make sure that the campus community knows that we have counseling resources available. We will have counselors on campus today and the counseling help line — 785-670-3100 — is available 24 hours a day.Please take advantage of these services as we keep both Dwane and Corey and their families in our thoughts and prayers."
The New York Giants also commented on the incident on Twitter:
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
Simmons and Ballatine were both defensive backs for the Washburn Ichabods. Ballatine is expected to make a full recovery.
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