The mother of a 16-year-old who drowned in 2020 in a creek near the Potomac River is calling for an independent investigation into the emergency response.
Music and prayer led a celebration on Sunday at Riverside High School to remember 16-year-old Fitz Thomas of Loudoun County.
His mother, Pastor Michelle Thomas, said it was about keeping his memory alive and advocating for change.
“There’s a part of negligence and a part of ineptness and lack of training and care that really played a part in Fitz being denied access to on time emergency services,” Thomas said.
Fitz would have graduated in a couple of weeks.
Three days of events over the weekend included a block party, a memorial walk, a headstone dedication and a celebration service honored his life.