SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A 15-year-old boy is being called a hero by his family after dying while trying to save his younger brother.
The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified the teenager as 15-year-old Amari Quarles.
The Natomas Unified School District confirmed the student’s passing on its Facebook page.
“Sunday, NUSD lost one of our students. It is a horrible tragedy and the family could use your help,” the school district said, in part, on their Facebook page.
The school district linked to a GoFundMe page created by the family with a message from Amari’s father.
“My son Amari passed away last night in the Sacramento River to save his brother Elijah,” his father wrote. “My son died a hero. I’m so proud of what he did.”
Amari’s father James — self-identified on the GoFundMe page — said the family moved to California to be around family. He said his son was a straight-A student at Natomas High School.
So far, the GoFundMe has raised close to $15,000 with a goal of $50,000. The money will be going toward funeral and burial costs.
