THE LATEST: Confrontation during carjacking led to shooting of ex-Nazareth wrestling star Sammy Sasso, cops say

Former Nazareth Area High School star wrestler Sammy Sasso is connecting with supporters just days after being shot and injured in Columbus, Ohio, telling them he is “steadily improving.”

Sasso, now a wrestler at Ohio State University, took to his X account, the website formerly known as Twitter, Sunday evening to tell supporters he can’t thank them enough.

“god bless everyone for their support during this time. it’s been tough as hell but we are steadily improving. I can’t thank everyone enough for being in my corner,” Sasso posted.

Sasso went on to repost several other postings and words from supporters, including encouragement by the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. Several of the posts end with the hash tag “SassoStrong.”

“Our prayers are with @sammysasso and his family as he recovers from this horrible incident Please show your support for Sammy and the @wrestlingbucks + @OhioRTC community during this difficult time,” the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club’s posting stated.

Sasso also responded to Pat Mineo, founder of The Wrestling Room, on X, stating, “Thank you mineo, it means Alot.” That posting by Mineo stated, “Wrestling community, let’s rally around him!,” followed by a prayer emoji.

A two-time NCAA wrestling runner-up for Ohio State, Sasso was shot shortly after 8:30 p.m. Friday near campus in Columbus. He was the victim of a carjacking, The Columbus Dispatch reported on Monday, citing witness statements to police. It was previously reported he was the victim of a robbery.

Sasso was found in an alley near the campus, shot in the stomach, according to reports. He underwent surgery after the shooting and again on Saturday at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center (WMC).

Sasso’s surgeon Saturday morning expected Sasso to make a full recovery and be able to wrestle again, according to a source close to the Sasso family. Injuries were listed as stable Saturday afternoon, Ohio State University Wrestling posted on its Facebook page.

Eileen Scahill, who handles public relations at WMC, referred questions about Sasso’s condition Monday to Jerry Emig, associate athletics director for the Communications Department of Athletics at Ohio State. Emig didn’t immediately return a request by lehighvalleylive.com for more information Monday morning.

Scahill later Monday afternoon told lehighvalleylive.com that Sasso is no longer listed at the hospital, but would not confirm if he has been discharged.

Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan in a statement Saturday called the act a “senseless shooting incident.”

“Sasso was transported to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (WMC), where he is continuing to be cared for and monitored,” Ryan added. “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.”

Ryan said college and local police are conducting an “ongoing investigation.”

Sasso, a fifth-year senior at the university, was the runner-up at the 2023 NCAA tournament at 149 pounds and was planning to wrestle at 157 pounds this season, his last year of collegiate eligibility. He is a two-time Big Ten wrestling champion and, during his time at Nazareth, a two-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association champion.

Nazareth Blue Eagle Wrestling posted early Monday to Facebook of Sasso taking to X: “Great news from Sammy Sasso himself! Our hearts are with you, our prayers are endless for you, & and our strength will help lift you up! Get well soon Sammy! We (heart emoji) you!”

As of Monday morning, no arrests have been reported and Columbus police have not provided an update on the investigation. A representative of the Columbus Police’s Detective Bureau also didn’t immediately return a request by lehighvalleylive.com for more information Monday morning.

EDITOR’s NOTE: This story has been updated with new details from an official at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.