Dy-Shawn Simpkins, a promising football player who signed to play with Norfolk State, has been shot dead, according to several media reports.
Simpkins, a 6-foot-1, 175 pound cornerback was one of Norfolk State's first signings back in January, and the Virginian Pilot reported he participated in spring workouts. He had originally committed to Navy before changing course.
Simpkins, 19, was found shot to death in a car in East Orange, New Jersey, just 16 miles north of Paramus, where he attended high school. At Paramus, he was named first-team All-Big North Conference. He then played a year at Jireh Prep in Mathews, N.C..
Simpkins was found by police in a car, suffering from gunshot wounds, and he died at the scene, according to USAToday. Two others were also shot — a 29-year-old man who died at the hospital and another man who is expected to survive.
Police are looking for suspects and a motive.
In a statement, published by USAToday, Norfolk State Athletic Director Marty Miller expressed his sorrow.
"On behalf of our administration, coaches and student-athletes, we want to express our condolences to Dy-Shawn's family. He will be dearly missed by the entire Norfolk State University family."
A former coach at Paramus also expressed his sympathy.
