GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – Hundreds of people rallied Monday outside a hospital in Glynn County to show their support for a teenager who is recovering after an apparent case of hazing.
The Glynn County Police Department and family members have identified the teen as Trenton Lehrkamp.
A video of Lehrkamp surfaced online showing him slumped over in a chair and being sprayed with water. That video is apparently from an encounter that happened before last week’s event, in which investigators say Lehrkamp was plied with alcohol and spraypainted.
Police said it was after that event that three people dropped Lehrkamp off at the hospital with high levels of drugs and alcohol in his system.
His blood-alcohol level was six times the legal limit.
As of Monday, police said, he was alert and talking.
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Everyone who attended Monday’s vigil said Lehrkamp is a very nice person and easy to talk to. They said they were sad to see this happen to someone like him.
“We’re here for the family,” said Skylar McGee. “We’re all trying to help Trenton’s family, to get him back on his feet and to make sure that they understand that Trenton’s not alone. We’re all here for him.”
No arrests have been made and people who know the teen personally are asking for justice and hoping for a speedy recovery.
“I just, I thought it was really sick,” Mason Elliott said. “It just should not have happened at all, and they should definitely be punished heavily for what they did.”
Supporters stood outside the Southeast Georgia Health System with signs, candles and photos of Lehrkamp. Throughout the night, they shouted “justice for Trent.”
Organizer Theawanza Brooks said they want Lehrkamp and his family to know they’re not in this alone.
“It’s very important that he knows that you had more friends than them,” Brooks said. “And then everybody out here, and from what we know that Trent lost his mom. But if he looks around this afternoon, he’s got a lot of moms out here. He’s got some grandmas out here. He’s got some people that he can actually trust, that’s actually his friend. It’s gonna lead him into the right direction.”
Brooks read a statement on behalf of Lehrkamp’s family:
“The family would like to state. We are all cooperating with the authority of the investigation. We want justice for Trent and to hopefully prevent this from happening to any other kid in the future in our community. We are overwhelmed by all of the community outreach and deeply appreciate all of the love and support. Please continue to pray for justice and a full recovery for Trent.”
Community members are planning to gather again on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Neptune Pier on St. Simons Island.
On Monday evening, the Glynn County Police Department said the Criminal Investigations Division and Georgia Bureau of Investigations had conducted interviews with the involved parties, and they took a statement from Lehrkamp at the hospital.
Police say those with information may also call Silent Witness hotline at 912-264-1333 or email them at 911silentwitness@glynncounty-ga.gov.