Sad news for Ghanaians in East Hartford CT

The death of a 15 year Ghanaian in East Hartford Connecticut (aka Ghana town)

Officials continue to investigate the drowning of an East Hartford High School student who was identified by family and friends on Thursday as 15-year-old Marcum Asiamah.

Officials said he was in gym class when he was taken out of the high school pool, but they have not detailed the circumstances surrounding his death or the events leading up to it.

According to the state medical examiner's office, Asiamah's death was caused by asphyxia by submersion, and it was ruled an accident.

A man who identified himself as Asiamah's uncle said that the family is doing well but did not have any other information to release on Thursday night.

A candlelight vigil has been planned for 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the rock on the high school lawn.

Officials said Asiamah was pulled from the pool shortly after noon and transported to Hartford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"People have their stories, and nothing is set yet. That's what everybody's still trying to find out," said Marvin Osei, a senior at EHHS who identified himself Asiamah's cousin. "There's no cameras in the swimming area, so you can't actually say what happened."

He said the family wants to know whose responsibility it was to supervise Asiamah.

"He was really excited to go swimming because they were having gym class," Osei said. "He wanted [his mother] to go and buy him some trunks, and she went to buy it. She was telling him not to go [swimming] but you can't really stop a kid."

On Thursday, students said school staff didn't explain the drowning, nor did they identify Asiamah by name.

"Basically they said that there's been an accident and that if they have any more facts they'll tell us," said freshman Augustus Busumbru, 14.

He said he knew Asiamah through mutual acquaintances.

Busumbru's friend and basketball teammate Leighton Douglas, also a freshman, said that there are usually 30 students in the pool during the swim sessions of gym classes.

"The incident at the high school is under investigation ... We're looking into all the facts," said East Hartford Police Chief Mark Sirois. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family and friends."

He said school resource officers are assisting with the investigation and that grief counselors were on hand Thursday to support students.

Asiamah's death was described as an accident in a letter sent home with students.

In a written statement, schools Superintendent Mark F. Zito said "Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the student involved in this incident."

I strongly believe this is a criminal case based on the history of the school. All Ghanaians in East Hartford, please let's stand up and join hands and demand answers from the school and the town.