While police are working to find answers, and the team tries to wrap their minds around how to move forward after a deadly shooting near Washburn University early Sunday morning, Dwane Simmons’ family is left shattered.

Dwane’s dad said told our affiliate, KSHB in Kansas City, his son was full of life, loved people, and loved his family.

“That’s what I will remember the most about my son, just his loving, funny spirit,” Navarro Simmons said of his son.

The family said Dwane will be remembered as a good student, the life of the party, and someone who had good friends around him always.

Dwane’s dad said Sunday morning he got a call from Corey Ballentine that he was not expecting.

“I was like, hey Corey congratulations and this and that, but then when he said, no Mr. Simmons, it’s not good. My heart just dropped and I just hopped up out of bed, I was scared.” 

Even though Dwane leaves a positive legacy behind, his family says nothing could ever replace him.

“For someone to take him so senselessly, I mean he didn’t deserve it, I never thought my son would be gone this soon,” Dwane’s mother, Chaquilla Everette said.

The family is asking for you to keep them in their thoughts and prayers. But more than anything, they are asking for justice and answers.

“My son deserves justice, please speak up if you know anything, they have anonymous lines out there, speak up,” Simmons said.

“He was well loved at Washburn so, if anybody hears anything, I believe somebody’s going to say something,” Everette said.

Police ask anyone who saw suspicious activity to report it to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007.