Sep 04, 2020

Sheriff ID's 18-year-old who drowned in Kansas lake

Posted Sep 04, 2020 2:22 PM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drowning have identified the victim as Khalil Fulton, 18 of Lake City, South Carolina.

Just after 11:00p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to State Lake for a possible drowning, according to sheriff Ron Wade.

First responders located several individuals near the dock. In speaking with the individuals on scene they learned the group of friends had been swimming in State Lake when Fulton did a flip off of the dock.

Witnesses told deputies he resurfaced after going into the water and went back under once again and never resurfaced a second time, according to Wade.

There was no indication Fulton was in distress. In the early morning hours Fulton was located, not far from the area where he entered the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Fulton was a student at Independence Community College. The lake is located four miles south of the campus.

 “This is a tragic situation where a young man lost his life, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” Sheriff Wade said.  He asked that you respect the privacy of the family as they morn for this young man who was taken way too soon.

Montgomery County Rural Fire Department, Kansas Wildlife and Parks and Coffeyville Fire Department water rescue personnel assisted at the scene, according to Wade.