UPDATE: Victims at Warren Dunes were students at Saint Joseph's High School
Sad developments in a story we’ve been following since Sunday night.
WSBT 22 has confirmed the names of two teens who drowned last night at Warren Dunes State Park.
To add to this tragedy they were brothers. 17-year-old Ahmed and 16 year-old Saleem.
We have also confirmed both brothers attended St. Joseph High School in South Bend.
Two other teens were rescued and survived and we’re told they are all related.
Our reporting partners at WSJM say the two that survived are cousins to the two boys that died.
Tragedy hit just after 6 Sunday night at Warren Dunes State Park.
The Baroda Lake Police Department responded with a water rescue. Bystanders recovered the two that survived and first responders found the two brothers about 35 minutes after police arrived.
"Life saving measures were started and they were transported to Lakeland hospital all four of the boys, the two that were pulled from the water by bystanders were treated and released at Lakeland Hospital and the other two boys were pronounced at Lakeland Hospital," said Lt. Wesley Koza, Baroda-Lake Township Police.
According to a Go Fund Me page, Ahmed was a senior at St. Joseph High School and Saleem was a sophomore.
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend released a statement about the tragic loss of the two students.Principal John Kennedy said, “We will walk through this grief together and call upon our faith to guide and strengthen us at this time. We ask for your prayers for the family, our students, faculty, and staff.”
Officials also tell us the school held a mass this morning and resources, including counselors, have been at the school all day.
Bishop Kevin Rhoades also spoke on the tragedy saying, “I extend my deepest condolences and those of our diocese to the family, friends, and classmates of these students and to the whole community of Saint Joseph High School. May the Lord grant you comfort and strength in your grief at the death of these beloved young people!”
As a result of this tragedy, we have also confirmed that St. Joseph sports have been canceled for today.
In addition, there is also a go fund me page created for Ahmed and Saleem you can find it here.
