Family of man who drowned in Cocoa while teens watched hold vigil

COCOA, Fla. — The family of a man whose drowning five teenagers recorded held a vigil on Friday, what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Family and friends of Jamel Dunn gathered in the rain Friday night to release balloons and sing happy birthday.

"We felt the need to celebrate his birthday because he's here with us in spirit always. He may be gone but never forgotten," said Simone McIntosh, his sister.

Photos: Family of man who drowned in Cocoa while teens watched hold vigil

Cocoa police said in July the teenagers watched, recorded and taunted Dunn while he appeared to be in distress.

Police: Teens record, taunt drowning man in Cocoa; no charges filed

The only thing harder than dealing with his loss, the family said, is knowing someone could have helped.

Only after his body was discovered floating by the edge of the water in Bracco Pond Park in Cocoa on July 14 did his family discover someone had recorded his drowning and did nothing to save his life.

“It was very disturbing,” said Dunn’s sister, Simone McIntosh. “They’re laughing and joking in the background saying, ‘No, we’re not going to help you.' It’s horrible.”

Read: Cocoa police recommend charges against teens investigators said taunted, recorded drowning man

The two-and-a-half-minute video, which was recorded July 9, was released by the state attorney’s office.

In the video, police said the teenage boys can be heard yelling things like, “We’re not going to help you and you never should have gotten in there.”

Read: Florida legislator to draft good Samaritan bill after teens record man drowning in Cocoa

When Dunn falls below the surface of the water for the final time, one of the teenagers can be heard saying, “We could have helped.”

One of the teens is then heard talking about marijuana.

Read: Case of teens who watched man drown given to Brevard County state attorney

“We identified all five of them,” said Cocoa Police Department spokesperson Yvonne Martinez.

Dunn’s loved ones said they are devastated by the recording and shocked criminal charges won’t be filed.

“For you to record and not get on the phone and call is just cruel,” said the victim’s fiancé, Rondanielle Williams.

While the state attorney’s office could find no moral justification for the incident, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution under Florida statutes.

Cox Media Group