Sammy Sasso, an Ohio State wrestling standout, was reportedly shot in the abdomen during an apparent carjacking attempt in Columbus on Friday night, per ESPN. The two-time Big Ten wrestling champion has been hospitalized, but is expected to make a full recovery.
“[God] bless everyone for their support during this time,” Sasso wrote on Twitter on Sunday night. “[It’s] been tough as hell but we are steadily improving. I can’t thank everyone enough for being in my corner.”
According to the local police, the call came in at approximately 8:30 PM on Friday night. Eyewitnesses spotted Sasso talking to two children outside his car, before he was reportedly approached by two suspects, one of whom pulled a handgun on him. The gunman shot Sasso in the stomach before getting into Sasso’s car, along with the accomplice.
Sasso was transported to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in critical condition, where he underwent surgery. The stolen car was later found abandoned at Easton Way and Sunbury Road on Sunday morning, per The Columbus Dispatch.
In a statement released on Saturday, Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan expressed his gratitude for the medical care Sasso received. “Our coaching staff, along with members of the wrestling program and Athletics administrators, are grateful for the caregivers at WMC, thankful Sasso’s injuries are not life-threatening, and are supporting Sasso and his family,” said Ryan.
At this time, investigation into the incident is ongoing, though no suspects have been officially identified, according to a Monday police report.
