Atlanta 12-year-old dies after 16-year-old died saving him from rip current

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 12-year-old boy who was swept away by a rip current while on spring break in Florida has died, according to a family GoFundMe.

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Rashad Williams was swimming at Johnson Beach in Pensacola on April 6 when he and a few other children got caught in a strong current.

Metro Atlanta high school student Bryce Brooks, 16, and his family friend, Charles ‘Chuck’ Johnson, II, jumped in to try to save the children.

Both Brooks and Johnson drowned, but not before pulling Williams and the other children out of the water.

Williams was rushed to the hospital, where he was on life support in critical condition for several days before he died on Thursday night.

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Brooks’ parents told Channel 2 Action News that their son and Johnson did not know Williams and the other children.

Bryce was a student at Maynard Jackson High School. He played the piano and produced musical beats.

“Definitely into fashion. He was a member of the fashion club here at Maynard, honor roll student, A/B honor roll. He just made the honor roll,” said his mother, Crystal Brooks.

Williams’ family has launched GoFundMe to bring his body home and help with funeral arrangements.

The community has raised nearly $100,000 for Brooks and Johnson’s funeral expenses.

Local family remembers teen who died on spring break saving kids from rip currents

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