Waukegan Teen Gabriel Ramirez, 17, Dies After Drowning in Lake Michigan Harbor Channel

A Waukegan High School Junior's Life Cut Short

Gabriel Ramirez, a 17-year-old junior at Waukegan High School, died Monday evening after drowning in Lake Michigan near the Waukegan Harbor channel, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The Lake County Coroner's Office identified Ramirez and ruled his death "consistent with drowning" following an autopsy Monday. He was transported to Vista East Medical Center after divers pulled him from the water, but he did not survive.

Friends Called for Help

Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, Ramirez was swimming with friends near the harbor channel when he did not surface, according to the Waukegan Fire Department.

His friends called for help. Divers with the fire department responded and located Ramirez along the break wall near the bottom of the water within minutes of starting their search, fire officials said.

"The teen's friends told first responders that they had been swimming in the channel, and they called for help after their friend did not make it out of the water," the Waukegan Fire Department said.

Signs at Waukegan's beaches warn that there are no lifeguards on duty and visitors swim at their own risk.

A Student Remembered for His Dedication

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 confirmed Ramirez was a student at Waukegan High School.

"Our hearts are with his family, friends, classmates, and everyone in our school community who is grieving this heartbreaking loss," a district spokesman said. "We know this news is deeply difficult for many of our students and staff. Counseling services have been made available, and our focus remains on supporting those impacted during this time."

A GoFundMe page set up by Ramirez's family to help cover funeral expenses described him as a dedicated young man who loved working out. He regularly worked for DoorDash to help his parents with financial support, according to the fundraising page.

Experts Warn of Hidden Dangers in Lake Michigan

Water safety experts said the harbor channel area poses serious risks even when the water appears calm.

David Benjamin, co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said swimmers often do not recognize the hazards around piers and boat channels.

"They likely don't know the hazards. So, around any solid structure in the water, these piers and these channels where the boats go in and out of the harbor, there could be deep water, cold water, as well as currents, even when the water appears calm on the surface," Benjamin said.

Benjamin said panic is the first stage of drowning and that swimmers fighting currents can exhaust their energy very quickly.

"They don't understand, it's not common sense to know that panic is the first stage of drowning. When they get into that instant moment like, 'I might be in trouble here,' they can exhaust their energy very quickly and submerge in less than one minute," Benjamin said.

Benjamin said the best thing swimmers can do in such situations is remain calm and float.

Since 2025, there have been 81 Great Lakes drownings, with 36 of those in Lake Michigan, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

"The biggest factor for survival is time," Benjamin said. "If someone's struggling in the water, they're going to submerge in less than one minute. And once they're submerged, you've got like four or five minutes to get them out of the water. So, calling 911 is not an option to rescue a person who's distressed in the water."

The Waukegan Fire Department reminded residents not to swim in areas that are not designated for swimming.