Staton grandson among drowning victims

Fourteen-year-old Jamarcus Warner, grandson of A.C. “Jack” and Gloria Staton of Zwolle, was among the six Shreveport teenagers who drowned in the Red River Monday, Aug. 2.

He was a student at Woodlawn High School.

Warner and his two sisters, Takeitha, 13, and LeTavious, 17, and three teenage friends, from another Shreveport family, were part of a large group enjoying an afternoon on the banks of the river. The incident occurred shortly after the families gathered.

Shreveport Police said that a 15-year-old male cousin of the Warners stepped off a ledge or drop-off that could not be seen because of murky water. The teen screamed for help and the other teens went to help, but none could swim. They tried to save the boy, but they, too, were swallowed by the water some 20 to 30 feet deep. Only one survived and was pulled to safety by a bystander.

Adults with the family and other children at the gathering stood by helplessly and watched the teens go under the water, one by one grasping each other in an attempt to save their cousin.

Staton said he appreciated the concern of area residents and that he and his wife attended the funerals held at Praise Temple Baptist Church Saturday afternoon, Aug. 7.

Mayor Cedric Glover and Fire Chief Brian Crawford also attended the services. Chief Crawford presented the Civilian Cross to the families of the teens, who responded to a call for help even though they couldn’t swim. It was only the second time in 25 years that the Shreveport Fire Dept. had awarded the cross.