The father of the killed player said the shot had 'broken a lot of people'

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The father of a football player from Washburn University, killed during a weekend shootout in which a draft pick of the New York Giants had been injured, stated that the crime "caused a lot of casualties".

Navarro Simmons told investigators that his family had learned that his son, Dwane Simmons, and his son's 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 killing," 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 a possible motive or indicate whether they 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. Authorities did not reveal the nature of his injuries, but the university issued a statement saying 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. It 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 maintained a good attitude, even fighting after 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 a game for me now," said Simmons. "I went in and I had to win a purse, then tear up an access checklist, a red shirt and tear another one. It really puts everything in perspective so that this game can be removed in the blink of an eye. So, I take this game to heart. I feel emotion about this game and I take this game very seriously, and I have a lot of fun. "

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

"We talked to Corey and he goes back to the hospital. Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons' family, friends, and teammates, as well as the rest of the Washburn community, "said the 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.