Bryce Brooks.Photo: Alfred “Shivy” Brooks II/Instagram
A 16-year-old boy from Atlanta jumped into action after seeing a group of younger children in distress at a Florida beach on Thursday. He died while saving them, as did a family friend who went into the water to help the teenager with the rescue.
The teenager, as well as two others, immediately jumped into the ocean, while the rest of the group ran to find adults.
Unfortunately, while he was in the water, Bryce “was pulled under,” his father added.
When their close family friend, Charles Johnson II, whom the family just called “Uncle Chuck,” went in after Bryce, he was pulled under as well, Shivy said.
“Our family is devastated,” he said. “Our community is devastated.”
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The incident took place in an area with no lifeguards, the outlet reported, adding that at the time, yellow flags — which indicate moderate currents — were flying.
Although nothing can take away the pain they feel, the boy’s parents — who were featured alongside Bryce in an episode of Netflix’sInstant Dream Home— say they’re “so proud” of him.
“Bryce is a hero. He literally saved the lives of four kids at the expense of his own,” his father said at the news conference.
Courtesy of Netflix
“We’re never gonna get to see Bryce grow up to be the full man he was going to be. But we know that he stepped into his manhood to save these children and that makes me proud,” added his mother, Crystal Brooks. “It doesn’t take away an ounce of pain, but it makes me proud of our son and what he sacrificed. And I’ll forever hold that.”
His parents said that Bryce was a “creative” kid, who had a passion for music as well as fashion. In addition to being a member of his school’s fashion club, he was very sharp and “just made honor roll a week ago,” his father said at the news conference.
In remembering Johnson, a husband and father of three, the teen’s father remembered the family friend as “a person that looks after everyone.”
Bryce Brooks and family.Courtesy of Netflix
“Bryce’s actions helped to save several lives. We can not even begin to understand the unimaginable impact this has had on their family, friends, and loved ones but know the power of this community,” organizers wrote.
In an update over the weekend, they asked that people also remember to pray for the couple’s 6-year-old Christian “as he learns of the loss of his brother.”
“Our heart breaks for him and continues to break for their entire family,” they wrote.
source: people.com
