A Teen’s Last Act of Heroism: At just 16 years old, Bryce Brooks made a choice that most adults might hesitate to make. On a family vacation in Pensacola, Florida, he spotted four children struggling against a deadly ocean current. Without a second thought, he dove in to save them.
Bryce, a high school honor roll student from Atlanta, wasn’t alone in his bravery. A family friend, Charles Johnson II, rushed to help him. Together, they managed to save the children from the water, but both paid the ultimate price.
REST IN PEACE to 16-year-old Bryce Brooks of Atlanta who died after heroically jumping into the ocean in Florida trying to rescue four younger children that he didn't know from drowning. The children survived.
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) April 12, 2023
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/In9FAL85kc
The tragedy unfolded on April 6 at Perdido Key, a stretch of beach with no lifeguards on duty. While yellow flags warned of moderate currents, the danger became all too real when the children found themselves trapped in the undercurrent.
Bryce’s father, Shivy Brooks, shared his son’s heroic final moments at a press conference, saying:
“While fighting the currents himself, Bryce called out—not for his own safety, but for help for the kids. That’s the kind of person he was.”
Despite the best efforts of bystanders who pulled Bryce and Charles from the water and administered CPR, the pair were airlifted to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Bryce suffered cardiac arrest, according to his father.
His family is devastated but proud. Bryce’s mother, Crystal Brooks, expressed both her pain and admiration:
“He stepped into his manhood to save those kids. That doesn’t lessen our grief, but it makes me so proud of who he was.”
Reports reveal that Bryce wasn’t the only teenager who sprang into action. Two others, whose names haven’t been released, also attempted to rescue the children. They managed to escape the water safely, leaving Bryce and Charles to bear the brunt of the rescue.
Charles Johnson II, a father of three, joined Bryce in this act of heroism. Together, they saved lives but lost their own in the process.
Since the tragedy, the Brooks family has found solace in the overwhelming support from their community. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $95,000 to help the family during this unimaginably difficult time.
Bryce’s father hopes his son’s story inspires others to think selflessly:
“Bryce is a hero. He showed the world what it means to put others first, even at the cost of your own life.”
This heartbreaking story reminds us of the courage and kindness that can exist, even in the darkest moments. Let Bryce’s legacy inspire us to help others, no matter the odds.
Our thoughts are with the families of Bryce Brooks and Charles Johnson II as they navigate this profound loss.
