16-year-old Bryce Brooks, a high school honor student from Atlanta, was on vacation with his family in Pensacola, Florida, when an unimaginable tragedy unfolded.

While enjoying the day at the beach, Bryce and a group of friends saw four younger children—strangers to them—being swept away by a powerful current, according to Bryce’s father, Shivy Brooks.

Without hesitation, Bryce and two of his friends rushed into the water to help. The rest of their group ran to find nearby adults for assistance.

“Our son Bryce, while being pulled by currents himself, literally called for help—not for himself, but for the little kids he was trying to save,” said Shivy Brooks, as reported by People.

A Tragic Loss

As Bryce struggled in the water, a close family friend, Charles “Uncle Chuck” Johnson II, jumped in to assist him. Tragically, both Bryce and Uncle Chuck were pulled under by the strong currents.

Though bystanders managed to pull them from the water and both were airlifted to a hospital, neither could be saved. They were later pronounced dead.

“Our family is devastated,” said Bryce’s father. “Our community is devastated.”

Honoring a Hero

The community rallied in support of the grieving family, holding a balloon release ceremony at Maynard Jackson High School, where Bryce was a student.

“We’re never going to get to see Bryce grow up to be the full man that he was going to be,” said his mother, Crystal Brooks, in an emotional interview with Fox 5.
“But we know that he stepped into his manhood that day to save those children—and that makes me proud. It doesn’t take away an ounce of the pain, but it makes me proud of our son.”

Bryce was more than a hero—he was a young man with many passions. A straight-A student, he loved making music, participated in his school’s fashion club, and was a loving older brother who always looked out for his sibling.

The Brooks family was previously featured on the Netflix show Instant Dream Home, where their Atlanta home was secretly renovated as a surprise.

Legacy of Life and Love

In the wake of Bryce’s death, the education community stepped up. The organization Get Your Teach On launched a fundraiser for the family, raising over $78,000 to support them during this unimaginable time.

“Bryce’s actions helped to save several lives,” organizers wrote.
“We can’t begin to understand the impact this tragedy has had on his family and loved ones, but we know the power of this community.”

A Foundation to Save Others

To honor Bryce’s courage and ensure his legacy lives on, his family established the Bryce Brooks Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on water safety and drowning prevention.

The foundation provides:

• Free swimming lessons for children and adults

• Scholarships for teens to become certified lifeguards

Recently, the foundation awarded its first six college scholarships, one of which went to Uncle Chuck’s son, continuing the bond between the two families.

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Bryce Brooks didn’t just save lives—he left behind a legacy of selflessness, strength, and love. In the face of tragedy, his story continues to inspire a movement toward water safety and youth empowerment.