The father of a killed player claims that the shot has "broken a lot of people"

The father of a Washburn University player killed during a weekend shootout in which a draft pick of the New York Giants had been injured stated that the crime "had caused many casualties".

Navarro Simmons said his family had learned from detectives that his son, Dwane Simmons, and his friend cornerback Corey Ballentine, were about to leave an off-campus party early Sunday when a vehicle arrived. He added that the people inside had asked a question and then started firing.

Dwane Simmons was killed and Ballentine, who had been hired a few hours earlier, was rushed to the hospital, where he was in stable condition.

"It was a senseless murder," said Navarro Simmons at a meeting that gathered Sunday more than two dozen family members and friends in Kansas City. "It broke a lot of people."

Gretchen Koenen, a spokeswoman for the police, said in an email Monday that no arrest had been made. She said the investigators had talked to some of the dozens of people at the party and hoped to interview more. The police did not reveal any possible motive or indicate whether she had identified any suspects.

"We want to emphasize that we need those present to let us know what they've seen," Koenen said.

Ballentine, whom the Giants recruited Saturday in the sixth round, is recovering. Although the authorities did not reveal the nature of her injuries, the university issued a statement in which she said that the 23-year-old Topeka native is expected to recover fully. Washburn scheduled a press conference Sunday for Ballentine to discuss his writing, but canceled it in a hurry after being shot. This has not been reprogrammed and the university does not plan a press conference.

Craig Schurig, head coach of the Division II program, said Simmons' death was heartbreaking. He added that Simmons, a 23-year-old junior from Lee's Summit, Missouri, has retained a good stance, even struggling as a result of two knee injuries. The team met on Sunday to mourn.

Simmons told Topeka Capital-Journal last fall how his injuries had affected him.

"It's more than just a game for me now," Simmons said. "I came in as a walker and I had to win a purse, and then rip an ACL, a red shirt and tear another one, which really puts into perspective the fact that this game can be taken away in the blink of an eye. So I'm taking this game to heart, I'm very emotional about this game and I take it very seriously, and I'm having a good time. "

The Giants issued a statement Sunday in which they said their team was aware of the shootings and was collecting information about it.

"We spoke to Corey and he is going back to the hospital, and our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons' family, friends, and teammates, as well as the rest of the Washburn community," he said. # 39; team.

Ballentine played 46 games with the Ichabod, finishing with 186 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He blocked four shots on goal and averaged 24.81 yards on kick return.