Community mourns 9-year-old's death

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Family and friends are still in shock over the loss of nine-year-old Jevonte Reivas. Reivas drowned Sunday at Leuscher Park after falling from the pier where he and a friend were playing.

Stanley Payne is trying to help his kids deal with a loss while trying to keep his own emotions together.

"I feel like I lost one of my own," Payne said.

Payne and his wife were returning home when they received a frightening call from their daughter Courtney. Their son, Sincer, was with Jevonte playing at Leuscher Park. Just before 4 p.m., Sincer came running back to the house telling his big sister Courtney help was needed.

"I was just getting dressed and my little brother ran in the house. He was like, 'Courtney, Jevonte is dead, he's dead.' I asked him what he was talking about. He said, 'Jevonte is dead,'" 17-year-old Courtney Edwards said.

Courtney threw on some clothes and followed Sincer down to the water.

"He still didn't tell me til we got to the park. He said he fell in the water and he couldn't help him out," Courtney said.

So she called 911. In the meantime, a few people were trying to help look for Jevonte. Mobile Fire Rescue was called to the scene. Courtney said she will never forget the look on little Sincer's face, nor the fact they had lost a friend.

"Can't explain it," said Courtney.

Jevonte was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He was a fourth grader at Morningside Elementary. Police said the young boy had left his grandparent's house, where he lived, without his grandparents knowing.

Counselors were available at Morningside Elementary. Principle Merva Carter said she was meeting with teachers Monday afternoon about the tragedy.