Church Community Grieves After 4-Year-Old Drowns at Chandler Pool Party

A Chandler community is grappling with grief after a 4-year-old boy tragically drowned during a church pool party last Sunday at the Hamilton Aquatic Center. The boy, a member of the First Baptist Church congregation, was attending the event with family and friends when the incident occurred.

Pastor Paul Smith addressed the tragedy during Sunday’s sermon, offering words of comfort to the congregation. “One of us hurts, we all hurt,” he said. “The outpouring of love for our church, for the family in grief, has been overwhelming.”

This was the first time many congregants returned to the church since the loss. “No one’s prepared for this. It’s shocking,” Smith said. The drowning, which took place in view of church members, has deeply affected the entire congregation.

According to Chandler city officials, the boy was found submerged by one of the 18 lifeguards on duty that night. Lifeguards immediately began CPR, and first responders continued life-saving efforts, but the child later died at the hospital. Police say the investigation is ongoing to determine what led up to the drowning and to evaluate the response efforts.

“Because it was a church event and the rescue and CPR and everything was so public in front of everyone, it feels not just like somebody in our church lost a child, but it almost feels like the church lost a child,” said Smith.

Despite the tragedy, Pastor Smith says the congregation is coming together to support the grieving family. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, tragedy strikes,” he said, noting the community’s unified response.

Smith acknowledged the painful questions that follow such loss. “Why do bad things happen to good people? I give some pretty good answers, but that’s very general. When it comes down to this specific case, I don’t have answers.”

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