VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach Police Department said two people had drowned in the city over the weekend.
The first drowning incident was reported Saturday near 16th Street, the police department tweeted, near the Oceanfront Dairy Queen.
A family member of Christian Flourentine called to say the 23-year-old was last seen in the water hours earlier. Police officers, medics, the fire department, and the Coast Guard went to help but were unable to find Flourentine.
Then on Sunday around 1:35 a.m., his body was found on the shore near 23rd Street, police said.
Also on Saturday, someone related to 19-year-old Tawakal Ali called for help, saying they'd last seen Ali on the beach near 20th Street hours before. That's between The Capes and Travelodge Suites.
It wasn't until Sunday that search teams found him.
The police department said he was found dead in the water near 29th Street.
“We are a group of first responders who are passionate about what we do. And so anytime there is an incident, it is concerning. And anytime there is a drowning, it is devastating for all of us," said Virginia Beach Life Saving Service Chief Tom Gill.
Gill could not comment on the two incidents but said police are investigating the drownings that happened over the weekend.
Gill wants to remind beachgoers of some safety tips before going in the water.
“Find a lifeguard stand and swim in front of it," said Gill.
He said the number one tip is to know how to swim. If you don’t know how, Gill said to stay out of the ocean.
Gill said never go in the ocean early in the morning and at night.
If you know anything that might be related to either drowning case, please contact VBPD at 757-385-4101, the department asked. If you'd prefer, you can leave a tip with the city's anonymous Crime Solvers team, 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Gill said he will have enough lifeguards to keep watch during the long Labor Day weekend.
13News Now reached out to police to find out what times the two men went missing. We are still waiting to hear back.