A mural of George Floyd is shown in the intersection of 38th St & Chicago Ave on March 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Community members continue preparations during the third day in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with multiple counts of murder in the death of George Floyd. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 01: President Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani talks to journalists outside the White House West Wing July 01, 2020 in Washington, DC. Giuliani did an on-camera interview with One America News Network's Chanel Rion before talking to other journalists about Vice President Joe Biden and the news that Russian intelligence may have paid Taliban operatives to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Begun in 1974, CPAC brings together conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders to discuss issues important to them. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Here's what reported grand jury in Trump case may look like NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: People walk past the Trump Tower as the impeachment trial of Donald Trump begins in Washington on February 09, 2021 in New York City. After listening to nearly four hours of legal arguments, the Senate has voted on Tuesday to move ahead with the impeachment trial of former President Trump. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Report: US companies may have benefited from forced labor of Uyghurs WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the conflict in the Middle East from Cross- Hall of the White House on May 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Israel and Hamas announced that they would agree to a cease-fire, which will take into effect on Friday, following days of fighting that claimed more than 200 lives. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 26: A view of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light-rail yard where a mass shooting occurred on May 26, 2021 in San Jose, California. A VTA employee opened fire at the yard, with preliminary reports indicating nine people dead including the gunman. (Photo by Philip Pacheco/Getty Images) A healthcare worker prepares to administer a Pfizer/BioNTEch coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine at The Michener Institute, in Toronto, Ontario on December 14, 2020. - Ontario, Canada's most populous province and one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, had 1,940 new cases and 23 deaths on Monday. The province is expected to give its next doses to nursing home workers as a priority, according to media reports. (Photo by CARLOS OSORIO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS OSORIO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) 'Never seen levels like this': Union president on airline passenger misconduct Memorial Day weekend will bring rain and cool air for much of the East (CNN) — Corey Ballentine went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows over the weekend. Despite playing football at a low-profile Division II school, Ballentine was drafted by the NFL’s New York Giants on Saturday night, the culmination of years of hard work on and off the field. “I’ve been waiting on this opportunity for a lifetime really,” he told Giants coach Pat Shurmur after hearing the news. But in a tragic turn just hours later, Ballentine was injured in an off-campus shooting in Topeka, Kansas, that killed one of his Washburn University teammates. Dwane Simmons, a 23-year-old defensive back, was killed in the shooting, said Washburn President Jerry Farley. Farley said Ballentine, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Giants, is expected to make a full recovery. “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.” The Giants said they are aware of the situation and are gathering 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,” the team said. Ballentine, a six-time member of his conference’s Academic Honor Roll, was the 180th person taken in the 2019 NFL draft. It’s all a crazy dream until you do it. I can’t even explain the emotions I have right now. S/o the people that told me to pick a more realistic career. This is as real as it gets. Thank you to the Giants organization for believing in me. It’s only up from here. #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/86EiwIP4fM — Corey Ballentine🇯🇲 (@cbxiii__) April 27, 2019 “It’s all a crazy dream until you do it,” he tweeted. “I can’t even explain the emotions I have right now. (Shoutout) the people that told me to pick a more realistic career. This is as real as it gets. Thank you to the Giants organization for believing in me. It’s only up from here. #GiantsPride.” In a video posted to the Giants website, Ballentine told Shurmur how happy he was to join the NFL team. “I’m glad to be a part of this franchise. I’ve been waiting on this opportunity for a lifetime really,” he said. “I’m glad to be even a part of the conversation. I’m definitely ready to start learning and being around the guys and being around you guys.” “Well, you’re not in the conversation,” coach Shurmur said with a smile. “You’re in the locker room now.”<doc-sep>Corey Ballentine Screenshot : CNN video What should have been the best weekend in one college football player’s life turned into tragedy when he was injured and his college teammate killed in a shooting early Sunday morning at a party in Topeka, Kan. Advertisement Corey Ballentine, a 23-year-old senior cornerback at Washburn University in Topeka, was the 180th pick in the NFL draft after being selected by the New York Giants. According to ESPN, he was the 2018 Cliff Harris Award winner as the small college defensive player of the year and was one of three Division II players selected to the Senior Bowl. After being drafted by the Giants, Ballentine said on his Twitter account “It’s all a crazy dream until you do it. I can’t even explain the emotions I have right now. S/o the people that told me to pick a more realistic career. This is as real as it gets. Thank you to the Giants organization for believing in me. It’s only up from here. #GiantsPride.” Ballentine and his Washburn teammate, 23-year-old defensive back Dwane Simmons, were at a house party when the shooting occurred. WIBW 13 News reports that police responded to reports of gunfire around 12:45 a.m. An officer on the scene told 13 News Simmons died in the street from a gunshot wound. Ballentine suffered non life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and no information has been released on any possible suspects. Advertisement According to ESPN, the Giants are aware of the shooting and have been in contact with Ballentine. In a statement, they expressed their sympathy for Simmons’ death, saying “Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons’ family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community.” Washburn President Jerry Farley wrote in a statement: “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.”<doc-sep>Two Washburn University football players were shot on early Sunday morning and one of them, defensive back Dwane Simmons, was killed. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in Topeka, Kansas. The other player shot, defensive back Corey Ballentine, suffered non-life-threatening injuries according to police. The shooting happened hours after Ballentine was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft by the New York Giants. Topeka police said they responded to a disturbance that included gunfire early Sunday morning around 12:45 a.m. and Simmons was dead at the scene. Ballentine was taken to the hospital with his injury via a car. "Heartbreaking news about Dwane Simmons" Washburn coach Craig Schurig said in a statement. “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." Police have begun a homicide investigation. The Giants issued a statement as well. 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 Washburn said Simmons had 59 career tackles with the school and played his senior season in 2018 after he had rehabbed from ACL injuries in both of his knees. Ballentine was drafted with pick No. 180 in Saturday’s draft. He won the 2018 small college defensive player of the year award and was one of just three Division II players who were invited to the Senior Bowl. Story continues – – – – – – – Corey Ballentine runs at the NFL combine. He suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound on Sunday morning. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>A Washburn University defensive back was killed in a shooting Sunday morning in Topeka, Kansas. The shooting also injured teammate Corey Ballentine, who was drafted by the New York Giants on Saturday. Washburn president Jerry Farley confirmed that Dwane Simmons, 23, was killed in the shooting in a letter to the school Sunday. Ballentine is expected to make a full recovery, Farley wrote. "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," Farley wrote. "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." According to police, Ballentine was taken to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Ballentine paid tribute to Simmons on Monday in a tweet. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. I love you forever. Thank you for being a true friend who uplifted me, corrected me when i was in the wrong, and accepted my flaws. Thank you for being a brother to me. Thank you for letting me experience your life💛 pic.twitter.com/SfqX9v6qgY — Corey Ballentine🇯🇲 (@cbxiii__) April 29, 2019 A preliminary investigation determined that the shooting occurred during a social gathering outside a residence, Topeka police spokeswoman Gretchen Koenen said in an email Sunday evening. She said dozens of people were at the gathering, and police were working to gather evidence and witness statements. "We want to emphasize that we need those who were present to let us know what they saw,'' Koenen said. Simmons, a defensive back who was entering his senior season in 2019, played in 22 games in three seasons at Washburn. "Heartbreaking news about Dwane Simmons," Washburn coach Craig Schurig said in a statement. "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." Ballentine, a cornerback, was the 2018 Cliff Harris Award winner as the small-college defensive player of the year and was one of three Division II players selected to the Senior Bowl. The 23-year-old ran a 4.47 40 at the NFL scouting combine and was selected in the sixth round; he was the last of three cornerbacks drafted by the Giants. The Giants said they are aware of the situation and have spoken with Ballentine. "Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons' family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community," the Giants said in a statement. ESPN's Jordan Raanan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>
A college football player died in an off-campus shooting Sunday morning that also wounded a New York Giants NFL Draft pick. According to a statement from Washburn University, a college in Topeka, Kansas, football team member Dwane Simmons, a junior, was killed and senior Corey Ballentine was wounded. CBS Kansas City, Missouri, affiliate KCTV reports shooting occurred at 12:45 a.m. about a half-mile from the campus. According to CBS Topeka, Kansas, affiliate WIBW-TV, police said Simmons died in the street from a gunshot wound and an investigation into the shooting was ongoing. Dwane Simmons and Corey Ballentine in photos provided by Washburn University. Washburn University "Heartbreaking news about Dwane Simmons," said Washburn head coach Craig Schurig, according to WIBW-TV. "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." "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," the University said in a statement. "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." Washburn defensive back Corey Ballentine runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. AP On Saturday afternoon, Ballentine had been drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft as the 180th overall pick. Ballentine is expected to make a full recovery. The New York Giants released a statement on the matter Sunday afternoon: "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." 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.