Suspect Arrested in NFL Giants Draft Shootout, Corey Ballentine



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TOPEKA, Kansas – An 18-year-old Kansas man was charged in the April attack that injured the choice of the New York Giants' choice, Corey Ballentine, and killed one of them. his teammates from Washburn University, Dwane Simmons.

Francisco Alejandro Mendez was charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and five aggravated battery heads during the April 28 attack, Shawnee District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Press.

Mendez is held on a $ 1 million bond. Her case is not yet in the online court record, and her lawyer, Victoria Chundak-Gallaway, in a criminal case without a connection, did not immediately respond to a phone message left Saturday at her office.

The two defensive backs of Washburn were outside of a party off campus a few hours after the Giants had chosen Ballentine in the sixth round of the repechage when someone opened fire with a vehicle, killing Simmons and wounding Ballentine, who has since recovered.

Washburn football coach Craig Schurig told Topeka Capital-Journal that he had called Ballentine on Friday to report the charge against Mendez.

"You could say that there was some relief in his voice," Schurig said. "It just helps – it's helpful to know that officials are starting to get caught. And it's a big step. It was good to be able to give him some very good news.

Schurig said he exchanged texts with Dwane Simmons' father, Navarro Simmons earlier Friday.

"You can not imagine what the Simmons family is going through, but today is a very good day," said the coach.

Ballentine, who was hit at the back, missed the Giants minicamp in early May, as he was recovering. He played in 46 games as a cornerback for Washburn, finishing with 186 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and five interceptions. In his last season, he won the Cliff Harris Award, which rewards the small university defensive player of the year.

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