An 17-year-old drowned in the Chattahoochee River on Sunday after jumping off a bridge.
The Gwinnett Medical Examiner identified the victim is Perez G. Tamfu of Lawrenceville. His death was ruled an accidental drowning.
According to Gwinnett County Fire, firefighters and police received a 911 call about around 7:57 p.m. that a person was unaccounted for after jumping off of a bridge at Settles Bridge Park in Suwanee.
According to officials, the teen was with a group of friends when the incident occurred. After jumping off the bridge, he resurfaced and looked to be in distress. One of his friends and a second person who was also in the river tried to save him, but he reportedly became combative and went back underwater.
He never resurfaced after that and he was also not wearing a life jacket.
Rescue boats with the Gwinnett Fire and John's Creek Fire responded to the scene and continued to search the river. The Hall County Dive Team was also called to assist with the search but was soon dismissed after the victim was located.
Members from the Gwinnett Fire Swift Water Rescue Team found the teen at 8:52 p.m. on the bottom of the river, about 50 yards downstream from where he jumped. Paramedics attempted to revive him as he was transported to Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, Ga., but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
According to the U.S. Park Service and the Department of Natural Resources, it is illegal to climb or jump from the old bridge structure and life jackets are required for everyone who enters the river.
