Friends, family talk about Girard pre-teen who drowned Monday

GIRARD — Family, friends, classmates and teachers are dealing with the shocking death of a pre-teen boy described as an excellent student who was free spirit and who loved football.

Jamel A. Smith, 12, of East Broadway, a seventh-grader at Girard Middle School, while swimming late Monday afternoon at the Girard/McDonald viaduct, went under the water and never came up. Rescue divers recovered his body shortly before 7 p.m.

Smith’s father, Shawn Green, less than 24 hours after the loss of his child, was standing in front of the light-colored, multistory home on Broadway Street greeting family members and friends coming to offer their condolences and support.

Green spoke of a son who was an excellent student, an athlete who did not give his parents any major problems.

He managed a smile while talking about his son, but the redness in his eyes told the truth about his feelings.

“It just hurts. Every time you see something it reminds you, you know. It just hurts,” Green said.

For the complete story, see Wedneday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.