Nationwide — King Overton, a 9-year-old African American boy from Henrico County, Virginia, sadly passed awa after being pulled unresponsive from a pool during a SwimRVA summer camp. The tragic incident left his family and community in deep grief.
Henrico County Police Division responded to a medical emergency on N. Wilkinson Road at about 2:40 p.m. on June 15. Officers arrived and found the child unresponsive after staff removed him from the pool. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
His mother, LaTaisha Johnson, said she had told him she loved him that morning before he left for camp. She described him as a bright and loving child, saying, “He was the smallest kid with the biggest heart.” She also shared that he enjoyed music, cars, Roblox, and spending time fishing with his parents.
According to WRIC, parents at the camp said the situation escalated quickly when police arrived at the facility. One parent said officers surrounded the building as children began talking about a drowning during free swim. She also noted that the pool area felt crowded during the session.
SwimRVA said staff members started CPR immediately after the boy was pulled from the water. Emergency responders continued lifesaving efforts until paramedics took over. The organization said it was deeply saddened by the incident and confirmed it is cooperating with investigators.
Authorities have not officially classified the case as a drowning. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause and manner of death after review. SwimRVA later canceled the summer camp sessions for the rest of the week.
The boy’s family launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs as they mourn his loss. It has so far raised $31,000.