Police on Sunday are searching for a 17-year-old swimmer they said went missing in the water off of Rockaway Beach in Queens.

Friends NY1 spoke to said the missing swimmer is Lamine Sarr, a senior at the Channel View School of Research, who loves music and basketball. Friends described him as being loved by all.

"Wouldn't do anything wrong to anybody, he wouldn't bully anybody, would not harm anybody. He was always positive, always funny, friends with everybody," said Ezra Cummings, a friend of Sarr.

"He was an amazing person. He didn't deserve this," another one of Sarr's friends said, in tears.

The NYPD responded to calls of a teenager struggling in the water near Beach 86th St. around 5 p.m. Saturday. Police said they looked for him before the search was suspended 6:20 p.m.

Police haven't confirmed the swimmer's identity at this time. They said the search has gone from a rescue mission to a recovery operation. It's unclear how long crews will search the waters.

The 17-year-old was with two other swimmers. Authorities said it is unclear if the other swimmers, who were not injured, were rescued or got themselves to safety.

 

Photo of Sarr above courtesy of Tnes Groves.