Pool incident leads to death

Counseling provided as investigations into tragedy at Middle School continue

Balloons+were+attached+to+the+flag+pole+outside+the+Middle+School+after+a+student+was+hospitalized+Feb.+27.

Conner Wickland

Balloons were attached to the flag pole outside the Middle School after a student was hospitalized Feb. 27.

Brenna Cook and Suh Koller

The seventh grade student who was taken to the hospital Feb. 27 died during the weekend.

The student was found in the Middle School pool by a teacher at the end of a physical education class, according to Jamie Zwilling, spokesman for the city of St. Louis Park. The other students were in the locker room when the teacher returned to the pool and found the student in the deep end. The teacher retrieved him and began CPR.

The student, identified by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office Abdullahi Charif, was taken to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital and later transferred to St. Paul Children’s Hospital, Zwilling said.

Zwilling added that on March 1 the police department received notification of his death, but the full investigation has not yet been completed.

“On Saturday morning the St. Louis Park Police Department was notified that the student had passed away,” Zwilling said. “At this point, the investigation into how this happened continues from the police department.”

According to a statement from Superintendent Rob Metz, the District is also conducting an internal investigation. The teacher who was on duty at the time of the incident will remain on paid administrative leave and the Middle School pool will remain closed during the investigation.

When contacted, Charif’s family members were unavailable for comment.

Counselors are available to provide assistance to students. Middle School principal Les Bork said counselors will continue to be present for as long as support is needed.

“When people receive counseling support, it helps us heal as a learning community,” Bork said. “We’ve appreciated all the support we’ve received so far.”

According to Bork, the District established a fund at Citizens Independent Bank to provide support for Charif’s family.

“(The fund was made) to recognize their loss and defray the expenses. Those dollars will be turned over to them,” Bork said.

Donations can be taken or mailed to any Citizens Independent Bank location.