ASU wasted little time reacting to the arrest of junior tailback Loren Wade after he was arrested over the weekend and charged with the murder of a former ASU football player in the parking lot of a Scottsdale nightclub.
Wade, 21, allegedly shot to death former ASU defensive back Brandon Falkner, 25, while he sat in the driver's seat of his BMW outside the Coyote Bay Night Club shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday.
When University officials learned of the incident they offered counseling services to bereaved students, dismissed Wade from the team and suspended him from ASU after he was charged with the violent crime.
"On behalf of the entire University family, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Brandon's family and friends," said ASU President Michael Crow in a statement Saturday. "This is a tragedy that has shocked and saddened our entire community."
Witnesses at the scene alleged Wade shot Falkner after the two argued. Following the shooting, Falkner's car drifted and collided with another vehicle before striking a tree.
Scottsdale police Detective Sam Bailey said it remains unclear if the two had known each other prior to the altercation, but said the shooting appears to have been over Wade's girlfriend, former ASU soccer player Haley vanBlommestein.
According to police reports, Wade had arranged to pick vanBlommestein up from the club when he arrived and found her talking to Falkner.
Falkner's father, Bonnie Lee, is an assistant supervisor in Custodial Services at ASU. He could not be reached for comment.
ASU football coach Dirk Koetter canceled Saturday's practice as soon as Falkner's death was announced.
Both he and Athletic Director Gene Smith said they would make themselves available to any ASU student-athlete who needed support dealing with the situation.
Smith said Sunday that the athletic department has no memorial plans for Falkner who played at ASU from 1998 - 2001.
A full report is expected to be released by Scottsdale police after they finish interviewing suspects.
A preliminary court date of April 4 has been scheduled for Wade, who is being held without bail at the Madison Street Jail.
Reach the reporters at mark.saxon@asu.edu and brian.indrelunas@asu.edu.
