Hours after being drafted, Giants rookie injured in shooting that killed friend
Corey Ballentine had been picked in the sixth round just hours before a shooting left his friend dead.
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TOPEKA, Kan. — Police in Kansas are investigating a shooting that killed a football player on the Washburn University team and injured a former player, Corey Ballentine, hours after he was drafted by the New York Giants.
Topeka police say officers found 23-year-old defensive back Dwane Simmons dead when they investigated gunshots off-campus shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.
Ballentine, a cornerback who was picked in the sixth round, was wounded but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to police.
Washburn coach Craig Schurig says Simmons' death is heartbreaking. He says the junior from Lee's Summit, Missouri, maintained a great attitude even while battling through two knee injuries.
Washburn president Jerry Farley mourned the loss of Simmons in a statement.
“Both Dwane and Corey have been great examples and representatives of the football team and of Washburn University in general,” Farley said in a statement. “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.”
Washburn is a Division-II school located in Topeka, Kansas.