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Surveillance video shows police responding to Elizabeth River drowning

Posted at 5:49 AM, Aug 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-24 12:53:27-04

Norfolk, Virginia - Three Norfolk Police officers jumped into the Elizabeth River Sunday night in an attempt to rescue two men in distress, according to police.

Police arrived on scene in the 400 block of College Place around 10:30 p.m. to find one of the men yelling for help and the other man unresponsive.

Police say officers were able to pull both men out of the water and began rescue efforts on the unresponsive man until medics arrived and took over.

Both men were transported to the hospital. Police say the unresponsive man, identified as family members as 23-year-old Jae'Quan Mabry, died at the hospital. The other man is currently stable.

Jae'Quan Mabry

Jae'Quan Mabry

Mabry's brother, Jajuan, spoke to NewsChannel 3 and says from what he was told, the incident started as a dare to swim across the river.

"I couldn't believe it. I tried to walk into the hospital and they grabbed me and told me I couldn't see him right then and there and that's when I just knew and I broke down crying," Jajuan says.

Witnesses say they saw the men jump in and shortly after, both began to struggle.

Surveillance video from a nearby condo shows rescuers rushing down the pier.