POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County community is mourning the loss of an 18-year-old high school student. The sheriff's office said Aaron Tillman died Sunday while kayaking on Lake McLeod. Deputies recovered his body just after 5 a.m. Monday. According to the sheriff's office, he went kayaking for the first time, didn't know how to swim, and wasn't wearing a life jacket. 

“Devastated. It’s never good to hear that somebody lost their life,” said Scott Lineback.

Lineback said he’s become familiar with Lake McLeod during the past three years, spending time at his in-laws’ house there. He said he doesn’t have any particular safety concerns about the lake, but notes his family always takes precautions.

“Before you even get past the bank, all the children, they have to have life preservers on. It’s just a requirement,” he said.

The importance of life jackets was something neighbors around the lake stressed to Spectrum News on Labor Day, along with sadness for a life lost too soon.

“I’m just praying I can snap out of this. It’s a dream. It’s not reality,” said Eryk Anglin, owner, principal, and head football coach at Ambassadors Christian Academy in Winter Haven.

Anglin said Aaron had been a student at the school since he moved to the area from Atlanta in February. This was going to be his first full year on the football team.

“He came in, he worked hard, and he was beginning to develop a great talent,” Anglin said.

Anglin said Aaron often visited the lake, but only waded into the water since he couldn’t swim. He said this loss has hit the school hard.

“A gentle giant - great, respectful, honorable kid,” Anglin said. “Whenever you give him a command or request, he fulfills it, and he gives 150% with everything that he does. He definitely doesn’t deserve this.”

A vigil is planned for 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday at East Central Park’s football field in Dundee. Anglin said all are welcome.