Police have arrested Dyteon Simpson in connection to the murder of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. Simpson has been charged with second-degree murder.
Sims was shot and killed near Southern University's campus in the early morning hours of Sept. 28, the Baton Rouge Police Department confirmed. He was 20 years old.
"We are all devastated," said LSU coach Will Wade. "We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken."
Sims, a 6-foot-6 junior, averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game last season. He was Louisiana's Gatorade Player of the Year following his junior season at University High School in Baton Rouge. His father, Wayne Sims, also played basketball at LSU and was teammates with Shaquille O'Neal.
According to authorities, Simpson dropped his glasses during an altercation early Friday morning that involved the late Sims. Police tested the glasses for DNA, which led to his arrest.
"We are stunned and shaken," said LSU president F. King Alexander. "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."
"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," LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said Saturday following the arrest. "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."
