• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Contact
    • About the Gabber
  • Get your Gabber
  • Support the Gabber!
  • News
    • Vote
  • Arts
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
    • The Gabs
    • Adopt A Pet
    • Voices
    • Take the Gabber
    • Obituaries
  • Events
    • View All Events
    • Add Your Event
  • Classified Ads
    • View Classifieds
    • Purchase A Classified
  • Current Issue

Local Boy Drowns on St. Pete Beach

October 7, 2015 by Colin O'Hara

Nine-year-old Cameron Bullard was a student at Gulf Beaches Elementary. Loved ones described him as “sweet,” outgoing and comedic.
Nine-year-old Cameron Bullard was a student at Gulf Beaches Elementary. Loved ones described him as “sweet,” outgoing and comedic.

Tragedy struck St. Pete Beach Saturday, October 3 when a boy went missing in shallow water. After two days, the rescue operation moved to one of recovery; a dive team located his body in the morning hours of October 5 on the north tip of Shell Key.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation were all involved in the search.

Nine-year-old Cameron Bullard was last seen on St. Pete Beach playing in ankle-deep water with his brother and several other young family members when they were struck by a large wave.

Cameron, who reportedly could not swim, was pulled out to sea and detectives believe that rough seas, strong currents and poor weather were all factors in his disappearance.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri called it a “very unfortunate incident” and did not blame a lack of supervision or neglect as Cameron’s uncles were monitoring the children.

A witness attempted to rescue the boy but was unable to locate him.

Cameron was a fourth-grade student at Gulf Beaches Elementary School in St. Pete Beach. The school had grief councilors on hand this week to provide support for friends and classmates.

Cameron, the fourth of seven children, was described by loved ones as a “sweet,” outgoing and comedic child.

A GoFundMe account has also been set up to assist the family with funeral costs.

A candlelight vigil will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. Cameron’s mother and siblings will be meeting on St. Pete Beach at the 18th Avenue access and have stated that all are welcome.

 

by Colin O'Hara

Support the Gabber

Team Gabber brought back the print version of the newspaper, and we've redesigned our website to make it easier for you to get the news. We're not out of the woods yet, and every little bit helps pay our reporters, printer, and other expenses. Support local news and families — donate now to keep The Gabber Newspaper serving the community it loves!

Please support local news and The Gabber Newspaper!

Filed Under: News

Primary Sidebar

Crossword

Sudoku

© 2021 All Rights Reserved | The Gabber Newspaper