20-year-old Wayde Sims, a basketball player for the Louisiana State University Tigers, was shot and killed in a shooting near Southern University in the early hours of Friday, September 28.
According to Baton Rouge police, detectives are currently investigating the shooting that happened at the 600 block of Harding Boulevard around 12:25 a.m. on the 28th.
Police said that Sims, who was from Baton Rogue, was transported to a local hospital with an apparent gunshot wound and was latest pronounced dead due to the injury.
via LSU:
LSU officials were notified of Sims’ passing early Friday morning. Counselors and support have been made immediately available to teammates and friends at LSU.
“Wayde Sims’ loss is simply unbelievable to us right now,” said vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva. “There are no words that can express our sorrow for his parents and family. He was such a lovable young man who was full of joy. We are circling around his teammates and friends who need all the love and support we can give them. We are praying for his family, for his parents. God bless Wayde Sims.”
“We are stunned and shaken,” LSU President F. King Alexander said. “To say we are grief-stricken is an understatement. Wayde was a beloved member of the LSU community whose leadership was treasured by his coach and his teammates. I knew him personally and liked him tremendously. The void left by his passing will be immense, and we ask that you keep his family in your prayers.”
LSU basketball head coach Will Wade also released the following statement about Sim’s passing:
“We are all devastated. We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”
Sims, who was a junior, played in 32 games as a sophomore, starting 10 times. A 6-foot-6 forward, he averaged 5.6 points with 2.9 rebounds in 32 games last season.
Additionally, he was named the 2014-2015 Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana, and his father, Wayne Sims, also played basketball at the university from 1987 to 1991.
A press conference with school officials is scheduled for 11 a.m. EST on Friday, September 28.
At this time, law enforcement is asking with any information is urged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 344-7867.
Lil bro was such a caring individual man I’m hurt. RIP Wayde #Forever44 pic.twitter.com/bENVqdnhYq
— Aaron Epps (@AaronEpps21) September 28, 2018
