Two Washburn University football players were shot, one fatally, while leaving an off-campus party in the early hours of April 28.
Dwane Simmons and Corey Ballantine, both 23 years old, were outside a party at a private home in downtown Topeka, Kansas, sometime after midnight when they were caught up in what police describe as “a disturbance with gunshots.”
Police arrived on the scene around 12:45 a.m. and found Dwane Simmons dead in the street.
Ballantine arrived at a local hospital shortly after, driven by a friend. His wounds are not life-threatening, and he is expected to recover fully.
Exactly what happened is unclear. The pair were celebrating Ballantine’s having gotten drafted by the NFL’s New York Giants at a party hosted by the college’s women’s soccer team in a neighborhood about four blocks from the Washburn University campus.
Someone in the car spoke with the players. The car drove off, turned around, and returned. As the car passed by the group, someone inside opened fire.
Giant’s Draft Pick Recovering
Ballantine had received the best news of his life just hours before he and his friend were shot.Shortly after 8 p.m. on April 27, the NFL’s New York Giants announced that they had chosen Ballantine in the sixth round of the draft.
Ballantine’s exceptional athletic ability earned the attention of NFL scouts. The 6-foot, 200-pound cornerback scored 186 tackles (113 solo,) four blocked kicks, and five interceptions in his 46-game college career.
Ballantine’s efforts earned him the 2018 Cliff Harris Award as the small college defensive player of the year, and a spot on the 2019 Senior Bowl team.
After the football season ended, Ballantine ran with the university’s track and field team, where he held numerous school records.
The Giants organization released a statement on Sunday saying, “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’s family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community.”
Simmons Grew Through Injury
Dwane Simmons was a junior at Washburn University, majoring in mass media. He joined the school’s football team in 2015 and played in 22 games. He racked up 59 tackles—42 solo—and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.Simmons playing career was hindered by injuries—he missed all of the 2016 season and all but two games in 2017 with torn tendons in his knees. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound defensive back didn’t let his injuries get him down. “Adversity defines true character,” he said in his Twitter biography. “Doubters are my motivators.”
Celebrating a Friend’s Success
Simmons and Ballantine were more than just teammates—there were roommates and close friends.Simmons's last two tweets, posted just hours before his death, celebrated his friend’s success.
Simmons’s father, Navarro Simmons, posted a video on Facebook on the afternoon of the 27th, saying, “Congrats to my sons corner-mate, roommate, and best friend at Washburn University, Corey Ballentine on being drafted by the New York Giants! Good football player, but an even better person.”
“You hurt a lot of people,” Simmons said to the as-yet-unidentified shooter. “Turn yourself in.”
“I’m posting this for all friends and family who love Dwane that I can’t possibly reach at this time. Dwane was a great kid, and I will miss my son dearly. Thank you God for allowing me to hug my son Tuesday, and tell him how much I love him and how proud I am to be his Yama.
“Please keep my entire family in your prayers. This hurts like no other.”
Dwane Simmons is not the first family member Navarro Simmons has had to bury because of a senseless crime. In 2000, Simmons’s brother Michael was shot to death during a car-jacking attempt. His killer received a life sentence.