HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — UPDATE: Search crews recovered a 22-year-old drowning victim Sunday in Harker Heights, according to Bell County Sheriff's Office spokesperson T.J. Cruz.
The search for the victim, identified as Rocquace Sinclair Ringo of Killeen, began Saturday evening around 6:30 p.m., according to a Texas game warden.
According to the game warden, witnesses said Ringo was swimming in a designated swimming area in Dana Peak Park Saturday evening but the area had been closed due to hazards caused by high water.
The game warden said there were around 20 other people standing nearby and several were able to describe where Ringo went under.
The BCSO and the Harker Heights Police Department along with the game warden assisted with the search but were unable to locate Ringo by 11 p.m.
The search effort was dismissed for the night, and crews returned around 8 a.m. Sunday with the Morgan's Point Dive Team to continue looking.
They were able to locate and retrieve Ringo after two hours.
The game warden said Ringo was located by sonar in only six feet of water. The water was so murky and filled with debris that the dive team could not see and had to search with their hands.
The agencies were able to identify Ringo by 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
The swimming area of Dana Peak Park will continue to be closed though Memorial Day.
This was the fifth drowning in Bell County this year.