Teen who drowned in swimming pool in Agawam identified

Teen drowns in swimming pool in Agawam
Published: May. 30, 2023 at 11:32 AM EDT|Updated: May. 31, 2023 at 11:32 AM EDT

AGAWAM, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A devastating drowning in a private swimming pool claimed the life of an Agawam High School student late Monday night and now his identity is being released.

School officials tell Western Mass News the student was 17-year-old, Ömercan Karaarslan.

“He was a wonderful young man, loved by his classmates and adored by his teachers. He is going to be sadly missed by our school,” Agawam High School officials said.

Authorities are conducting an investigation into the fatal drowning of Karaarslan who was in a swimming pool at a home in town.

Now, local leaders are taking action in the aftermath of this death to help the students who are mourning the loss.

We’re told the Agawam Police and Fire Departments responded to a residence in the Feeding Hills section for a 17-year-old male who was reported to be unresponsive in a swimming pool.

“Lifesaving measures were attempted and failed,” the Agawam Police Department said.

We spoke with the Agawam Mayor, William Sapelli, he tells Western Mass News he visited Agawam High School on Wednesday, where he says the school is providing services to help students, educators, and staff mourn the loss of one of their own.

“The entire counseling department was huddling, reaching out via computer to find out who the close friends were, who the teachers were so they could make sure that everybody was checked in with and seen if they needed any counseling,” noted Sapelli.

Agawam High School sent an e-mail to parents on Wednesday saying in part:

“Your children may have varied reactions to the death of a peer. any reaction is normal in the grief process and can range from withdrawal to anger, to extreme sadness. School counseling services have been made available today and for the foreseeable future.”

Mayor Sapelli echoed the schools e-mail with a personal message to the family of the victim and his loved ones.

“It’s just such a tragic, tragic situation. The whole community is in mourning for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this awful, awful tragic time,” Sapelli explained.

Western Mass News has received this photo of Karaarslan from students who are sharing them on social media.

Teen who drowned in swimming pool in Agawam identified(Western Mass News)

Police said when they arrived on the scene in the Feeding Hills area, they found Karaarslan unresponsive. Life-saving measures were attempted and failed.

In a statement sent to Western Mass News Agawam High School said quote:

“He was a wonderful young man, loved by his classmates and adored by his teachers. He is going to be sadly missed by our school.”

We have learned a Memorial Servicce for Ömercan Karaarslan will be held on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Imam Buhari Mosque in Indian Orchard.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Agawam Police Detective Bureau and Massachusetts State Police.