LSU defensive end Damien Shanklin is currently under criminal investigation by the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office and campus police after a female student accused him of rape. This isn’t some backroom rumor, either. The East Baton Rouge DA’s office confirmed to ESPN that they’ve got an active investigation going on, following a police report originally filed way back in October 2025. This thing has been brewing for a while, and now it’s boiling over.
The School’s Findings, The Appeal, And An Accuser Going Public
Here’s where it gets wild. Before this new police confirmation, the LSU Office of Civil Rights and Title IX had *already* found Shanklin responsible for “forcible rape” in July. Yeah, you read that right. They handed down a one-year suspension. But Shanklin appealed that decision. And get this: his punishment was reduced to probation. Can you believe that? A finding of “forcible rape” by the school’s own office, a one-year suspension, then an appeal slashes it to probation.
It was after that probation decision that the accuser decided she’d had enough. She went public with her allegations in a TikTok video posted on September 14. She’s reportedly asked police to pursue a criminal case against Shanklin. In her social media video, she dropped a bombshell, alleging Shanklin sent her $1,000 to keep quiet and not press charges after an initial encounter at his residence. She spoke out because she felt LSU “does really protect their athletes, especially their football players,” adding that the situation made her anxiety “really, really bad.” She just wants her story heard.
What Damien Shanklin’s Lawyers Are Saying and The Road Ahead
Shanklin’s attorneys, Grant L. Willis and Morgan H. Johnson of the Taylor Porter Law firm, put out a statement to USA Today. They claim their client is fully cooperating with the investigation and maintains his innocence. They’re pushing back against social media portrayals, saying it’s “not a full account of all of the facts and circumstances” and asking the “court of public opinion” to hold off on assumptions until more info is out there. LSU, for their part, told USA Today that their Title IX policies and procedures were “strictly followed” in this case. LSU president Wade Rousse even chimed in, saying the administration takes misconduct allegations seriously and that the incident was handled professionally, with policies “strictly followed.”
So, where does this leave us? The criminal investigation is underway. This isn’t just about a football player anymore; it’s a serious legal situation. We’ll be watching closely as the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office and campus police continue their investigation. It’s a heavy situation, and frankly, it’s one that college football fans everywhere are going to be following very, very closely to see how it unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply