Police Chief Jon Fontneau tells the Stamford Advocate that Rashad Gross of Stamford was found in six feet of water late Friday afternoon, about three hours after he was reported missing.
Fontneau said the boy was wading with two friends near the Holly Pond spillway when the current apparently pulled him into deeper water and he disappeared in the murky water. The police chief said a woman called 911 to report several children struggling in the water. The others made it to safety.
Park lifeguards, divers and rescue teams from several agencies looked for the boy.
Fire Capt. Trevor Roach said water visibility was so poor the diver who found the boy located his body by touch.
Family friends say Rashad Gross was a special kid, who sadly was no stranger to death. He was born a twin, his sibling died. He also lost his mother at a young age, and his grandmother took him in. When his grandmother died, his aunt, who just lost her husband took him in.
Friends say gross had just finished the 6th grade at Turn of River Middle School in Stamford. Friday was the last day of school, and the down time in the water was supposed to be a celebration.
"He goes there often, what kids normally do," said classmate Chrystasha McCalla.
