Community Grieving After 2 Boys Drown In Willmar Lake

WILLMAR, Minn. (WCCO) -- A search for two missing boys ended in the bottom of a lake.

The two friends drowned Tuesday in Foot Lake near the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds in Willmar.

The boys who died were 10-year-old Idris Hussein and 11-year-old Ahmed Hashi.

Willmar Police Chief Jim Felt says both boys lived in the neighborhood and were friends.

Around 6 p.m., authorities say the mother of one of the boys called police to report that the boys were missing.

While searching, crews found one of the boys' shoes floating in Foot Lake near the dock at the fairground entrance. When crews learned the boys couldn't swim, they become concerned.

When police arrived, they searched neighborhoods, the boys' homes and the lake.

About four hours after first arriving on scene, search teams found the boys in Foot Lake in only four-and-a-half feet of water.

First responders tried to revive the victims, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Police say Hussein and Hashi were pronounced dead at the hospital.

"The whole community is grieving about this," Chief Felt said. "It's affected our emergency responders, its' affected everyone in the community, and we just ask for the thoughts and prayers for the family."

Hashi's mother, Lul Muhamed, spoke to WCCO through a translator.

"She feels so sad that she lost her son, and she loved him so much," said Muhamed's translator. "She say it's a really bad day for her because her son was looking forward for a beautiful future."

Ahmed was originally from Yemen and Idris came from Kenya two years ago.

Felt says crews faced some challenges in searching for the boys. The lake water was murky and crews were losing daylight as they searched.

He says there is no indication of neglect or foul play.