Two days after Louisiana State University basketball player Wayde Sims was shot dead outside a restaurant, Baton Rouge police have made its first arrest in the case.
Police have arrested 20-year-old Dyteon Simpson for fatally shooting Sims and charged him with a second-degree murder.
On early Friday morning, Sims was shot dead outside a Subway restaurant near the Southern Football Stadium. Simpson was arrested after his glasses fell during the altercation and were later tested for DNA.
On Saturday, dozens of students and community members gathered at Tony Clayton Championship Plaza to honor Sims and call for an end to gun violence.
“We felt like we had to do something, not just concerning this death, but also the many shootings that have been happening the past few months,” university student Kourtney Dillon told WAFB9. “Thought and prayers are not enough. We need to stand up and do something.”
The University Athletics Director Joe Alleva commended the investigation done by the local police and extended its support to the Sims family.
“On behalf of LSU, I would like to thank the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s office and all law enforcement involved in this case for their hard work, diligence and pursuit of justice,” Alleva said. “Along with LSU Athletics, the entire LSU family continues to mourn the loss of Wayde Sims. Our thoughts today are with his family, friends, and teammates.”
