What is documented?
WAFB reports an alleged October 18, 2025 assault and a formal university complaint in January 2026. It says LSU found Shanklin responsible under Title IX for conduct classified as sexual assault–forcible rape. On administrative appeal, the responsibility finding was upheld while suspension was reduced to probation without restrictions. The reporting student criticized LSU’s response; LSU said it followed its procedures and supported law-enforcement review. The district attorney requested records in September. On October 1, lawyers Grant L. Willis and Morgan H. Johnson said Shanklin was innocent, cooperating, and that public information was incomplete. These accounts are presented together.
Reviewed reporting: Accused LSU football player declares innocence — WAFB ↗ · LSU football player accused; DA seeks records — WAFB ↗ · Student criticizes LSU response after Title IX finding — WAFB ↗. Complete dated sourcebook ↗
Limits of this record
A university administrative finding is not a criminal conviction. No criminal charge or guilty verdict is documented in the reviewed sources through October 5; the latest linked WAFB case update is October 1. This is a dated source check, not a court-record certification or a continuously monitored feed. The complete Title IX file and criminal investigative file were not independently obtained here. Current roster and staff listings do not prove current eligibility, participation or individual responsibility for earlier decisions. The reporting student’s identity and image are not republished.
The dated record
Compare institutions →Alleged assault at LSU
WAFB attributes this date to the allegation against Damien Shanklin. The parties’ accounts of consent conflict; his denial remains linked.
Accused LSU football player declares innocence — WAFB ↗Student criticizes LSU response after Title IX finding — WAFB ↗ · 23 Sept 2026 · Displayed publication September 23 at 10:35 p.m. CDT; URL path uses September 24. Includes the reporting student’s account, the university’s response and appeal reporting. The student’s identity is not republished here.
Formal university complaint reported
WAFB reports a formal Title IX complaint in January. Its later account describes the responsibility finding and sanction appeal; the archive does not invent exact decision or appeal dates.
Student criticizes LSU response after Title IX finding — WAFB ↗District attorney requests records and interviews
WAFB reports Hillar Moore’s office sought investigative material after learning of the allegation. LSU said it followed Title IX procedures and supported the criminal review. Investigation is not a charge or conviction.
LSU football player accused; DA seeks records — WAFB ↗University finding and reduced sanction described
WAFB reports LSU’s responsibility finding remained after administrative appeal, while the suspension became probation without restrictions. The reporting student criticized the university’s response. LSU’s explanation is included alongside that criticism; a university finding is separate from criminal adjudication.
Student criticizes LSU response after Title IX finding — WAFB ↗Accused LSU football player declares innocence — WAFB ↗ · 1 Oct 2026 · Published October 1 at 6:45 p.m. CDT; updated 10:08 p.m. CDT. Names Damien Shanklin, reports the responsibility finding upheld on appeal and the reduced sanction, and publishes his lawyers’ denial. No criminal charges were reported at publication; that is not an acquittal.
Shanklin’s lawyers maintain his innocence
WAFB publishes the lawyers’ denial and says Shanklin is cooperating. It reports no criminal charges at publication and an ongoing investigation. No later charge is documented in the sources reviewed through October 5; that does not establish an acquittal.
Accused LSU football player declares innocence — WAFB ↗University staff, leadership & legal roles
LSU offices and investigating agencies
Five official channels with individual sample email drafts. Inclusion identifies a public role, not wrongdoing.
Explore LSU contacts →LSU Office of Civil Rights & Title IX
Formal complaint reported January 2026; finding/appeal reported September 2026
WAFB reports a responsibility finding upheld on administrative appeal with a reduced sanction. This is separate from the criminal investigation.
Source for this role ↗Source date: 23 Sept 2026 · Checked 5 Oct 2026
Hillar Moore / East Baton Rouge District Attorney
Records requested September 22, 2026
WAFB reports the office requested evidence and interviews. An investigation does not guarantee prosecution.
Source for this role ↗Source date: 22 Sept 2026 · Checked 5 Oct 2026
LSU Police
Investigation reported September–October 2026
Current public channels are linked separately from the case reporting. No individual investigative decision is inferred from an office listing.
Source for this role ↗Source date: Publication date not confirmed · Checked 5 Oct 2026
Wade Rousse / President’s Office
Official office page checked October 5, 2026
Current published president and office contact. The appointment does not establish involvement in a particular prior disciplinary decision.
Source for this role ↗Source date: Publication date not confirmed · Checked 5 Oct 2026
Osvaldo Gomez
Official staff page checked October 5, 2026
Current role is directory information, not attribution of an earlier case decision or misconduct.
Source for this role ↗Source date: Publication date not confirmed · Checked 5 Oct 2026
Verge Ausberry
Official directory checked October 5, 2026
The office and professional channel are confirmed by LSU Athletics. No responsibility for a particular sanction is inferred.
Source for this role ↗Source date: Publication date not confirmed · Checked 5 Oct 2026
Sourcebook
Accused LSU football player declares innocence — WAFB ↗
Published October 1 at 6:45 p.m. CDT; updated 10:08 p.m. CDT. Names Damien Shanklin, reports the responsibility finding upheld on appeal and the reduced sanction, and publishes his lawyers’ denial. No criminal charges were reported at publication; that is not an acquittal.
LSU football player accused; DA seeks records — WAFB ↗
Reports the district attorney’s request for records and interviews, alongside LSU’s explanation. A criminal investigation is distinct from the university’s Title IX process.
Student criticizes LSU response after Title IX finding — WAFB ↗
Displayed publication September 23 at 10:35 p.m. CDT; URL path uses September 24. Includes the reporting student’s account, the university’s response and appeal reporting. The student’s identity is not republished here.
Damien Shanklin — official LSU Athletics roster ↗
Season 2026 named roster used for identity and affiliation only. It does not establish game participation, discipline, guilt or image reuse permission. Page publication date unstated.
LSU Office of the President ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.
LSU Office of Civil Rights & Title IX ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.
LSU Title IX coordinator and channels ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.
LSU Police staff and public contact ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.
East Baton Rouge District Attorney contact channels ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.
LSU Athletics staff directory ↗
Current published role/contact information checked October 5. Page publication date unstated. Current office-holding does not establish an individual’s role in a 2025 event or responsibility for a case decision. Contact delivery has not been tested.