ATLANTA — Family, friends, and the metro community will come together to celebrate the life of a 16-year-old who died saving the lives of children who appeared to be drowning.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
On Apr.6., Rashad Williams and several other children were swimming at Johnson Beach in Pensacola, Florida, when they reportedly got caught in a strong current.
Maynard Jackson High School student, Bryce Brooks, and his family friend, Charles ‘Chuck’ Johnson, II, jumped in to try to save the children.
Brooks and Johnson both drowned, but not before pulling Williams and the other kids 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.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Facebook’s $725M settlement could put money in your pocket
- Two cheerleaders shot in parking lot after one gets into the wrong car
- HCSO: Man angry at driver, shoots at van with 6 people inside, including children
Brooks’ parents, Shivy and Crystal Brooks told Channel 2 Action News that their son and Johnson did not know Williams and the other children.
“Being selfless, our son Bryce, while being pulled by the currents himself, literally called for help, not for himself, but he was calling for help for the little kids that he was looking out for,” said Shivy Brooks. “Bryce is a hero. He literally saved the lives of four kids at the expense of his own.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
According to the funeral home’s website, a Celebration of Life will be held for Bryce on Apr. 22 at Maynard Jackson High School. The vigil will begin at 12 p.m.
A GoFundMe was created to help support the family. As of Wednesday, it has surpassed its goal of $75,000.
IN OTHER NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.