Remembering A Heartbreaking Day In Shreveport History

August 2 is one of the darkest days in Shreveport’s history. It was on this day 15 years ago that we experienced one of the area’s most gut-wrenching tragedies.

August 2, 2010, six teenagers from two families drowned in the Red River. The families were enjoying a summer outing on the bank of the river when one of the teens stepped off a sandbar and slipped into deep water. The other teens tried to help rescue their friend/cousin, but none of them could swim.

Maude Warner was with her family on that day and she watched her 15-year-old nephew DeKendrick Warner slip off a ledge into fast moving, deeper water.

The other teens tried to help. Warner’s sons Jamarcus and JaTavious, and daughter Takeitha, were among the six children that drowned in the Red River trying to save their cousin. Her children were ages 14, 17 and 13.

Maude Warner says none of the teens could swim and the Red River was too much for them. Warner says she watched helplessly as the young people fought to help each other. Someone was able to get to DeKendrick and he was able to make it to shore. The other 6 did not.

The Warner children drowned in this tragedy. We also lost 18-year-old Litrelle Stewart, 17-year-old LaDarius Stewart and 15-year-old JaTavious Stewart.

All of the teens were yelling for help, but no one could swim and this turned into quite a tragedy for these families.

READ MORE: Most Dangerous Rivers in Louisiana

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Brian Crawford was the Fire Chief at the time and he has also said this was one of the darkest days in our city’s history. He says no one can imagine watching your child drown and there is nothing you can do to save them.

Former Mayor Cedric Glover says "I will never forget August 2nd, 2010, as long as I live."

Shreveport Began an Aggressive Swim Program

Because of this tragedy, Glover teamed up with Rock Solid and found grant money to begin Project Swim. This program has taught more than 22,000 young people and adults how to swim since this tragedy.  The YMCA has also stepped in to train more than 21,000 2^nd graders in water safety with the Swim for Life program.

Both programs are offered free to help make sure we never experience anything even close to this kind of tragedy in our community.