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Who is Alonzo Polk? Massachusetts boy, 17, drowns in ex-cop's pool at graduation party

Alonzo Polk died on Sunday after being rescued from the pool during a graduation party where alcohol was allegedly distributed to kids
UPDATED JUN 13, 2021
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS: A teen who was in critical condition after being rescued from a pool at a Dedham home during a graduation celebration last weekend has died. According to reports, Alonzo Polk, 17, died on Sunday, June 13, after being rescued from the pool during a party where alcohol was allegedly distributed to children.

The family of the Massachusetts teenager, who had graduated from Dedham High School with honors just hours before the incident, is demanding answers. The former state police captain who hosted the party could soon face charges.

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The incident is reminiscent of the one last week, where an 18-year-old Mississippi girl was fatally shot thrice at a gas station hours after graduation. In other incidents of teen deaths in Massachusetts, a 16-year-old Black girl was found murdered after an altercation in early May, and race may have reportedly played a part in her untimely death. Last year in May, a Massachusetts teen was convicted of the gruesome killing, mutilation and beheading of his classmate.

Who is Alonzo Polk?

Alonzo Polk, who lived in Dedham, was loved by his family, who took to Instagram to mourn the 17-year-old. “Alonzo fought his fight with nothing but courage, strength, and the honor of a warrior!!!” the post said. Polk had intended to study engineering in college this fall, according to his family.

“I just want justice. I need to know what happened to my baby,” Polk's mother Deborah Rowell told WHDH. “Somebody has got to tell me something.” Dedham High Class of 2021 set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Polk. "We started this GoFundMe to show Alonzo's family the love we have for our friend and classmate. Alonzo is a part of our DHS Nation Family, and as a class, we are praying for Alonzo and his family," it read. The fund raised $25,080 at the time of writing this article.

Polk's family attended a tiny rally on Friday night, requesting additional information from police, prosecutors and the family who hosted the party. Polk had an asthma condition that may have led to the event, according to two individuals at the party, as reported by WCBV.



 

What happened to Alonzo Polk?

Around 12.30 am on Sunday, Dedham police received multiple 911 calls for reports of a youngster who was unresponsive after possibly drowning in an in-ground pool in the backyard of a Netta Road home. Polk had been removed from the pool by the time authorities arrived, and onlookers were performing CPR on him. The first responders took control and began treating him. He was brought to a hospital in Boston, where he died later.

The residence where the incident happened is reportedly owned by James Coughlin, a former Massachusetts State Police detective captain who recently ran for Norfolk County sheriff, according to records from the Dedham assessor's office. Coughlin was defeated in the Democratic primary by Patrick McDermott who eventually won the election with 60 per cent of the vote.

“We are going to find out what happened to my son,” Rowell told reporters. “Everybody is still standing and my son is gone. And I want justice. I want justice and I am going to get it.” Authorities are also investigating misdemeanor charges, such as providing alcohol to people under the age of 21 and dangerously endangering a child, according to a statement released on Thursday. They didn't identify who could be charged, but they did indicate that a probable cause hearing and an arraignment are required first, reported Boston.com.

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