Investigators believe Irewamiri Shote was unknowingly standing near an underwater shelf, which is a sudden drop-off in the lake, when he stepped or slipped off.
AUSTIN, Texas — When talking about his 17-year-old son Irewamiri Shote, or “Ire,” Omololu Shote still speaks with pride.
“He’s always happy, and he loves helping other people,” Omololu Shote said. “Everybody loves him. I’ve never for once had any trouble with him.”
Ire Shote just finished his junior year at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, and would visit his father, who is based in Austin.
Once a year, the family would take paddleboards and kayaks to Lady Bird Lake. On June 1, they returned to make more memories.
But when it was time to head home, Omololu Shote and his daughter could not find Ire Shote.
“She herself doesn’t even know what happened,” Omololu Shote said. “She said, ‘I saw his hand and bubbles.’ Like, who? I jump in, swim, no movement.”
Omololu Shote called for help and spent hours searching. On Tuesday, he learned that his son’s body had been located. He said investigators think his son had been standing near a drop-off in the lake and fell into the deep water.
While a son may be gone, a father’s love is still holding firm.
“I believe so much in him. All my life, I have been doing what I can do as a father,” Omololu Shote said. “I don’t think I will ever be completed again. The greatest part of me is gone. It’s gone.”
Ire Shote’s funeral will be in the McKinney, Texas, area later this week. His family is raising money for grief and counseling support. A link to that fundraiser can be found here.