Search suspended for two teenagers who went missing while swimming near Jacob Riis Park

One of the teenagers reported missing yesterday while swimming in the ocean near Jacob Riis Park has been identified as Elyjha Chandler, 16, of Brooklyn.

According to Elyjha's father, Urshell Chandler, his son entered the water around 6:35 p.m. on Friday, June 21, when he and one of the other boys were swept underwater. A good Samaritan quickly sprang into action to try to pull Elyjha out of the water. After surfacing three times, Elyjha went back underwater and never resurfaced.

“He wasn’t far out in the water,” Chandler told the New York Post. “One of the boys told me that when the water hit them, it was like a demon was approaching them.”

Earlier in the day, Elyjha's mother, Aminatu Noah, asked the public to pray during a Facebook live broadcast.

“If you are watching, please pray for my son,” Noah said, fighting back tears. “If there is anything… Lord, please take me and leave it.” Spare him. Please find him and spare him.

The second missing teen was identified only as a 17-year-old named Christian, according to police.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the search was officially called off after 24 hours of searching 600 square miles from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to Long Beach, New York. The two teenagers are still missing this evening, Saturday June 22.

“The decision to suspend a search is always difficult and weighs heavily on everyone involved,” said Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York. “Our teams, along with our partner agencies, have carried out an exhaustive search and our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.