Unable to save him

Special to Newsday; Staff writer Jennifer Sinco Kelleher contributed to this story.

[Death Race]

And yet another black boy drows.

"Thomas bought her son his $150 skateboard. Vann had planned to spend the summer perfecting his skateboarding skills at the skate park"

I think for his sake a $30 life jacket and swimming lessons might have been a better choice.

[Keen Observer]

The mother said on the news last night he was a strong swimmer and had lessons since he was very young. I get the feeling it was a stunt/dare gone wrong. Basically he sounded like a good kid who made a spur of the moment bad choice.

[A-classmate-of-l eo]

Leo Vann was such a nice boy. In the hallways at school he would always give you a cheerful "Hey". He was the sweetiest, cheerist and funniest person i have ever met. A lot of kids jumped off the pier, but it had to be Leo who couldn't make it up. Leo was a good volleyball player, he had a great spike since he was so tall. Whenever i saw you, you put a smile on my face. Leo always new how to cheer kids up when they were upset. Rest in peace Leo, you will never be forgotten. We all love and miss you. LBMS Class of 08.

[Bob from Finesville]

"The area should have been better supervised" stated his mother Lakeesha Thomas. That is a classic lead in line to the next step, a lawsuit against the city of Long Beach. Tragic as this loss was, the signs are there not to swim, that should be enough, no supervision needed for a boy this old.

[marc pennetti from IP]

Leo i loved you bro you got me into skateboarding you were my hero.im gonna miss you... I wish you were still here so we could skate everyday in the summer like the old days.. youll be in my heart forever.. With love marc Pennetti from island park

[friend]

leo i loved you baby so much and miss u terribly!!come back leo!rest easy and skate in heaven

[Bronx Babe]

This is for Death race and bob.First of all shut ur fxcking mouth with another black boy...ur probably a white a**hole. you should buy somethng to help u stop being prejudice. your evil get a life. And bob every kid needs supervision.

[leosz friend]

leo i love you so much like you dont even know. you were alwaysz there for me. i chilled with you everyday. itsz hard for me to deal with the fact tht you are gone. like i wasz jst tlking to you the morning you died i told you to come with me instead of going pool hopping but you said no i will meet up with you later. leo we never got to meet up =( i miss you terible. R.i.P LEO PATRiCK VANN <3
&&; to all those tht are tlking shit. chill why you gotta act like lil bitchesz. you obviously didnt know leo so hop the fuckk off. &&; plus idkk why you trying to say it wasz jst another black boy. like come on now. thtsz so fuckin stupid. yeah he wasz black tht dont mean shit.! &&; to the person writing about the life jacket. shut tha fuckk up bvecause leo wasz mad good at skating &&; he could swim. no one rly knowsz wht happend exactly except for leo, so yeah jst be quiet.!