A 14-year-old Florida boy died after suffering a severe cardiac arrest following a 5K race held at a Miramar high school on Saturday.
Knox MacEwen collapsed after finishing the race at Everglades High School around 9 a.m.
Miramar Police officers responded to the medical emergency and found the teen suffering from cardiac arrest, NBC Miami reported.
The boy was promptly transported to Memorial Hospital Miramar, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Knox was a student at Western High School in Davie, Florida, were he participated in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, a national program dedicated to nurturing personal responsibility, leadership, and good citizenship among young people.
Western High School principal Jimmy Arrojo sent a message to students, families, and staff about Knox’s death.
“I am saddened to share tragic news impacting our Wildcat community. One of our JROTC students passed away this morning after being transported to the hospital,” Mr. Arrojo said.
“I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, teachers, and classmates as they mourn this great loss,” he said.
“I ask our Wildcat community to rally around the family in prayer and support during this time of deep sorrow,” he continued, adding that the school has made grief counselors available on campus.
Knox was also very active in his church community at Crossway Church in Cooper City.
Sharon Figueroa, elementary director at the church, said Knox’s death was hard to believe.
“He brought sunshine wherever he came, you know, if he entered the room,” she told NBC Miami. “It was just a joy to be around him. He always had a smile on his face.”
Pastor Jon Elswick of the church said Knox’s death has affected their community.
“Knox’s dad said to me a couple of days ago that Knox was the best of us. If you knew Knox, that’s who he was,” Pastor Elswick said.
“I think when you have a tragedy like this, and someone as loved as Knox, there’s ripple effects all the way through our church community, so we have students that were friends with him, family members that are friends with his family, so it’s been a really difficult time.”
The pastor said he had witnessed a tremendous outpouring of concern for Knox’s family.
“There’s been an incredible outpouring of love for the MacEwen family when this news went out, both from the church and the broader community,” the pastor said.
“That’s been encouraging to me, because I think one of the marks of a healthy community, a healthy South Florida, is that kind of care for the people when they’re suffering,” he added.
A GoFundMe page was created to help the family pay for funeral expenses and help them overcome their time of grieving. The page described Knox as “a revered member of his local community—a JROTC student, a volunteer with the kids’ ministry at his home church; and he was a beloved brother, son, grandson, nephew and friend.”
The account has already raised over $77,900 so far.
“This family has been through the unimaginable, as this has happened as Knox’s mom, Julie, is still physically and financially recovering from a hard fought battle with cancer this last year,” said Lauren Milam, who created the GoFundMe on their behalf.
“Any gifts will go directly to the MacEwen family, and are deeply appreciated.”
