Local youths recognized as community heroes

On Monday, two Vicksburg youths were honored for their selfless heroism by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. D’shundrick Barnes, 12, and Chadrick Coleman, 13, entered an elderly person’s residence and stopped a fire, possibly preventing home damage or injury.

It started out as a normal Wednesday afternoon. D’shundrick and Chadrick were playing at the playground, enjoying the warm weather. After enjoying a game of basketball, the two decided to head home. It was then the boys noticed something was wrong at a neighboring residence.

“We were about to go back to the house through the pathway and then we seen smoking coming from outside of the window,” stated Chadrick.

The boys didn’t hesitate and quickly made their way to the property to assist.

“In my mind, I was like, ‘We need to go in here and turn this lady’s stuff off because if her house burns down, our house burns down because there’s a lot of trees and her house is right behind ours.’,” stated Chadrick.

The boys quickly devised a plan. “I told Chadrick to lift me up so I could go in. When I went in, I opened the door for him,” said D’shundrick.

Once inside, the boys managed to locate the kitchen. Chadrick stated flames were visible from the skillet. The duo managed to turn the burners off, quell the flames and exit the home ahead of first responders.

“I went up in there and put the fire out and he turned the stove off and then we left,” said D’shundrick.

Their heroic deeds were recognized by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday. Each were presented certificates for their heroism.

“We’ve got to recognize young people at 12 and 13, when they notice something very dangerous, but they saw fit to risk their lives [to help],” stated Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.