CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — An 18-year-old drowned after jumping into a Cleveland County lake on Friday, according to the Kings Mountain Police Department.
Police and emergency management personnel said they were called to Moss Lake in Cherryville around 12:30 p.m. after the teen was seen entering the water, but did not resurface.
Rescue divers recovered the teen’s body around 3:30 p.m., police said. He died at the hospital more than an hour later.
Jeremiah Roberts, 18, of Shelby, was identified by police as the victim.
Witnesses told police the teen jumped off a pier into the water then began to struggle swimming. He went under water and did not come back up.
Roberts’ mother, Nariah Roberts, has planned a balloon release to be held in Jeremiah’s honor on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Kings Moss Lake.
A GoFundMe has also been started in Roberts’ honor, you can find the link on our Latest Links page.
This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for the latest.
(WATCH BELOW: Playground opens in memory of drowning victim in Mooresville)
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