Boy, 6, Shields His 3-Year-Old Brother in Attempt to Save Him, But Tragically Both Die Later Side by Side

• In the quiet heart of Clifton, Virginia, a tale of unimaginable bravery and profound sorrow unfolded earlier this month.
• Two young brothers, six-year-old William and three-year-old Zachariah Brice, were caught in a devastating house fire that tested the bounds of brotherly love.
• This story, while ending in tragedy, begins with an act of heroic love that has touched the hearts of many across the nation.

On the morning of April 10, 2024, a fire erupted unexpectedly in the Brice family home in Clifton, Virginia. The blaze quickly engulfed the residence, trapping William, aged six, and his younger brother Zachariah, aged three, inside.

Despite the rapid response of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, the situation was dire. Firefighters, battling through smoke and flames, discovered a heart-wrenching scene, young William was shielding Zachariah with his own body, trying desperately to protect him from the searing heat and smoke.

Both boys were unresponsive for 45 minutes after being pulled from their grandparents’ home. Remarkably, their bodies did not show external signs of burns, indicating that the lethal damage was internal, a silent testament to the insidious nature of smoke inhalation. The medical team fought tirelessly, but the internal injuries were too severe for any chance of recovery.

The boys were immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but the severity of their injuries left little hope. Jamey Brice, the boys’ father, recounted the firefighters’ emotional testimony, telling him how moved they were by William’s protective instincts.

“Firefighters came in and talked to us and they described … how they saw William protecting Zachariah, how moved they were by the whole thing, and that they had the courage to come tell us,” said Jamey. The family, shaken, gathered around the boys, clinging to each other in a mix of hope and despair.

After sharing the news with the family, the firefighters promptly awarded the boys firefighter medallions, declaring them honorary firefighters right from their hospital beds.

The tragedy was compounded by the fact that at the time of the fire, both parents were at work, relying on their parents and their sons to be safe at home.

Jamey and his wife, Reina, were alerted to the catastrophe by their eldest son, Seth, who was 13 years old. Seth had received a chilling text from a friend about a fire at his house, prompting the parents to rush home in a frantic race against time.

Jamey painfully recalled the sequence of events and the shock of not knowing the cause of the fire that tore through their home so unexpectedly.

In reflecting on the day of the fire, Jamey shared, “It was just a weird, freakish fire that we still don’t know what the cause was, or how it started or why it grew so fast.” The community and the family are still looking for answers to these questions as they begin to process the immense loss of such young lives.

The couple’s eight-year-old son Logan managed to escape the flames and demonstrated a remarkable presence of mind by calling 911. His quick thinking played a crucial role in ensuring a rapid response from the emergency services, a fact that Jamey acknowledged with pride.

“All four boys are heroes in the story,” he said, emphasizing the bravery shown by each of his children during those critical moments.

The days following the tragic fire were a harrowing time for the Brice family as they grappled with the impending loss of William and Zachariah. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, it became clear that the boys would not survive their injuries.

Jamey remarks that it’s no surprise the boys passed away together, given their strong bond. “Zachariah was always following William everywhere and William was so proud. He would tell everyone, ‘That’s my baby brother,'” Jamey recalled.

As the community and family awaited the inevitable, support poured in from all corners. The family’s church, along with others in the community and even strangers across the country, rallied to offer their condolences and support.

“They did such an amazing job, that we could focus on the kids,” Jamey noted, appreciative of the overwhelming community support that helped them through these trying times.

The emotional toll on the family was evident, particularly among the siblings. Logan, the brave young boy who called for help, and Seth, the eldest brother, found themselves navigating their own complex feelings of loss and confusion.

Seth tried to remain strong, occasionally succumbing to moments of anger and tears, a natural response to such profound grief. Meanwhile, Logan was left wondering who would join him in the backyard for flag football, a poignant reminder of the everyday moments the brothers would no longer share. In the wake of the tragedy, the Brice family began to find a measure of peace.

Jamey remarked, “They don’t have to deal with all the things of this world that could like harm them,” capturing the bittersweet relief that, in their passing, his boys were spared further suffering. This sense of peace was intertwined with their strong faith, which provided a crucial pillar of strength for the family.

Amid their profound grief, the Brice family found a way to transform their tragedy into hope for others. Jamey and Reina decided to donate William and Zachariah’s organs, a choice that encapsulated the boys’ inherent heroism and their parents’ desire to help others even in their darkest hour. This decision turned their sons into lifesavers, extending their legacy far beyond their years.

“The doctors said their organs were still strong,” recounted Jamey, expressing a mix of pain and pride. The realization that their sons’ healthy organs could save other lives provided a semblance of comfort to the grieving parents.

The boys’ hearts, livers, and kidneys were all successfully transplanted, with Jamey sharing that the surgeries were not only successful but also that the organs were received by others just minutes apart—symbolic of how the brothers had always been together.

The hospital staff honored William and Zachariah’s bravery and their final gift with a “Walk of Honor.” As the boys were wheeled to the operating room, family members and hospital personnel lined the hallways, applauding and cheering, “Well done, you did it,” celebrating the young heroes who were about to make a lasting difference in the lives of up to eight individuals.

Jamey spoke about the emotional impact of this gesture and the organ donation process, “If we could be an answered prayer or a miracle to another family, that gave us some comfort.” He and Reina held onto their faith and the belief that their sons’ spirits would live on, not only in memory but also through the vital life they were passing on to others.

Looking to the future, the Brice family hoped to meet the families of those who received the organs. Jamey envisioned this as a way to see the ongoing impact of their sons’ heroism, saying, “The idea that those two big hearts of love and joy are … going to hopefully live on in somebody else we know is going to be a total blessing.” This hope was a source of strength and consolation, helping them navigate their immense loss.

In a heartfelt invitation shared on Facebook on April 19, 2024, Jamey and Reina have called upon friends and family to come together in a unique celebration of life. This event, coined as a “PARTY,” is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 at 4 p.m. local time at the Word of Life Church in Springfield, Virginia.

Reflecting the vibrant spirits of William and Zachariah, attendees are encouraged to wear green and blue—the favorite colors of the two boys, respectively.

Embracing the theme of heroism that defined their final days, the invitation also suggests that guests can don superhero costumes or sports jerseys, honoring William’s dream of playing in the NFL.

The Brice family also a poignant update about the legacy their sons have left behind. They announced that the transplant surgeries transferring William and Zachariah’s hearts, livers, and kidneys had been successful, symbolically completing just minutes apart.

This detail poignantly echoed the inseparable bond the brothers shared in life. “Both of their hearts, livers and kidneys made it. They are saving up to 8 lives,” the update revealed, providing a beacon of hope to the attendees and the families of those receiving the organs.

As a final note, Jamey humorously remembered his son’s simple joys, adding, “But at the same time somebody’s going to be buying a lot of chicken nuggets because William liked chicken nuggets,” a light-hearted reminder of his son’s personality amid the sorrow.

An unfortunate incident unfolded on a Wisconsin pond, resulting in the loss of two precious lives. Confirming the distressing details, Sun Prairie Police Department Assistant Chief Shunta Boston revealed that the boys, aged 6 and 8, both fell through the ice of a retention pond in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, marking a profound and devastating event.

While authorities delve into the specifics, investigating this heart-wrenching incident remains ongoing. In a press release, the Sun Prairie Police Department sincerely condoled the families and friends significantly affected by this irreplaceable loss.

On Friday, January 5, 2024, the Sun Prairie Police Department received a 911 call, prompting authorities to respond to the scene around 3:20 p.m. Soon afterward, the Sun Prairie Fire Department arrived, removed the youngsters from the ponds, and took them to a nearby hospital.

The boys’ mother, Kiana Sims, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at collecting funds to cover the memorial and funeral expenses.

Both siblings were admitted to the hospital in critical condition. The older brother died on Saturday, January 6, and the younger followed suit on Monday, January 8, as detailed by Assistant Chief Boston.

Monday brought a grim revelation when the Sun Prairie Police Department, through a press release, acknowledged their awareness of the “tragic passing of one of the boys” over the weekend. The subsequent update confirmed the heartbreaking news, with the medical examiner’s office verifying that the second child had also passed away.

The news of the older brother’s tragic demise was shared on Facebook by the boys’ baseball league, BMC Youth Baseball, identifying them as Antwon, 6, and Legend, 8. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a bright young soul who was taken from us too soon. He was only 8 years old,” the statement read.

The deceased boy’s little brother was said to be on life support. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers were conveyed for the affected family during their difficult time. According to the statement, the little boy reportedly fell through the ice after being dropped off by the school bus in front of a retention pond, which lacked protective measures. The older brother drowned while attempting to rescue his little sibling.

Hundreds of netizens shared messages of condolence and support for the youngsters, with one commenter expressing, “Absolutely heartbreaking. From our baseball family to yours we send up continued prayers for you all.”

On Monday, January 8, the baseball team conveyed the news of Antwon’s passing and paid tribute to him. The announcement shared a sad update on the tragic loss of the young boy. “[Antwon] has now joined his 8 year old brother, Legend, who passed away Saturday after bravely trying to rescue and save his little brother,” read the announcement.

The team expressed profound sadness over the untimely departure of both young souls, acknowledging its significant impact on everyone’s hearts. They also appeared grateful for the community’s and surrounding communities’ outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. The family specifically appreciated the prayers, kind words, and acts of kindness extended to them.

The boys’ mother, Kiana Sims, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at collecting funds to cover the memorial and funeral expenses. As of January 10, $65,258 has been raised, surpassing the $50,000 goal.

“[Legend and Antwon] were taken from us far too soon…Their absence has left an indelible mark on our hearts, and we are committed to ensuring that they are remembered with the love and dignity they deserve,” wrote the devastated mom.

“Your kindness and compassion will help us honor the lives of these two precious boys in a way that reflects the love and joy they brought into the world,” concluded the GoFundMe description.