UPDATE: The Falcons just tweeted at 2:32 p.m. PT that they have waived Prince Shembo.
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We have a few suggestions as to where Prince Shembo can take a knee.
The 23-year-old Atlanta Falcons linebacker has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, after his now ex-girlfriend accused him of killing her dog, a Yorkie named Dior, E! News confirmed Friday.
The Gwinnett County Police Department states that Denicia Williams called the cops on April 19 to report that four days prior, she had taken her dog with her to Shembo's apartment and, after leaving them alone for a time at some point, she returned to find the dog unresponsive. Williams then took Dior to Duluth Animal Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.
Police also say that Shembo made comments about kicking the dog during an April 16 phone conversation with Williams, after which she ended their relationship.
E! News has contacted the Falcons for comment and, per ESPN, the team is aware of the matter and plans on releasing a statement.
Per the Gwinnett Police, a necropsy performed April 21 found that Dior had sustained intensive internal injuries and the cause of death was blunt-force trauma.
Shembo, who attended Notre Dame, was a fourth-round pick for the Falcons in 2014.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was first to report the news Friday.
—Reporting by Baker Machado and Lindsey Caldwell