CFB6d ago
Police investigating rape allegation against LSU football player
Campus police and the district attorney are examining a fall allegation against Damien Shanklin, whose one-year suspension was later cut to probation on appeal.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 3 min read
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Criminal Investigation Underway
Campus police and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office are investigating an allegation that LSU defensive end Damien Shanklin raped a female student last fall. The woman, Kendall Francis, asked authorities in September to pursue a criminal case after the university’s Title IX process concluded. Police describe the matter as ongoing. The district attorney’s office confirmed it is gathering materials and investigating. Shanklin’s attorneys stated he maintains his innocence, will cooperate fully, and will not comment until the probe ends. They said public accounts so far do not capture all facts and circumstances.
Title IX Outcome and Appeal
In July the school found Shanklin responsible for forcible rape and imposed a one-year suspension that barred him from campus and activities. He appealed. On Aug. 25 an administrative law judge upheld the responsibility finding but reduced the penalty to four semesters of probation with no restrictions, allowing him to remain enrolled, on campus, and active if he stays out of trouble. The judge called the original sanction exceedingly harsh, citing no prior disciplinary record, a single brief incident, a mix of consensual and nonconsensual activity, absence of malice or force, and efforts by Shanklin to console the woman and express concern for her mental health. The behavior was described as an error in judgment rather than deliberate disregard.
Accounts of the October Incident
Documents show both students agreed their initial sexual contact on Oct. 18, 2025, in Shanklin’s residence hall was consensual. Francis stated he then engaged in penetrative sex without consent for about 20 seconds after she told him to stop. Shanklin stated he intentionally penetrated her, asked if she wanted him to stop, received no reply, continued about 20 seconds, and stopped when she told him to. Afterward she texted about seeking a rape kit and ending her life. His mother contacted her about not jeopardizing his career. After he asked her not to report the matter, she inquired about money; he sent $1,000. Campus police spoke with Shanklin that day at the football operations center after he sought to report concerns. Officers later took Francis to the hospital. The Title IX office received the police report on Dec. 9, 2025, and she filed a formal complaint.
Team Status and University Response
Shanklin played five games in the 2025 season as a true freshman, three of them after Oct. 18 including the Dec. 27 Texas Bowl. He has not played this season and was not practicing with the team in August. An advocate for Francis said the university offered counseling but no academic support, that she failed many classes, switched to online coursework, and now faces delayed graduation and financial strain. LSU stated it properly followed Title IX policy and processes and handled the matter professionally according to its procedures and best practices.
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