RIP Tristen Allen

Very sad news tonight for those of us on James Island and for anyone who played football against this guy.

A James Island High School graduate and former James Island football player, Tristen Allen, has gone missing. He went scuba diving earlier this afternoon off of Folly Beach, and did not come up. People have been praying for his return all evening on Facebook and Twitter.

UPDATE: Monday night 10:42pm from @AndyParas (Post and Courier): Coast Guard has ended its search for 18-year-old Tristen Allen, who vanished while scuba diving 13 miles off #Charleston coast Saturday.

Tristen was a football player for James Island from 2010-2013, and graduated last month (June) from the school. He played linebacker for the Trojans, and became one of the best players on the team in his senior season. He also played in a international competition in Paris over last spring break.

Here are his 2013 highlights, when he had 158 tackles in 10 games for James Island.

Prayers for him, his family and all of James Island.

From Post and Courier Monday night: 

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Monday night for Tristen Allen of James Island after the 18-year-old went missing this weekend while scuba diving about 13 miles southeast of Folly Beach, officials said.

The Coast Guard used helicopters, planes and boats to search more than 2,759 square miles - an area roughly the size of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties combined. Civilians also volunteered to help during the 53-hour search.

"This is a heartbreaking time for everyone involved, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Tristen Allen's family, friends and loved ones," said Capt. Ric Rodriguez, commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston. "Decisions to end searches are among the most difficult Coast Guard members are ever forced to make, and are not ones we take lightly."

Update from Sunday afternoon: Involved in the search for the 18 year old are helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, and Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Georgia; a C-130 plane from Air Station Clearwater; the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon; and a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station Charleston.

A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources plane, Charleston County Sheriffs, DNR officers, and good Samaritans have also been assisting with the search.

This is the story from WCIV from a few hours ago: Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard are searching for a missing teen-aged diver who did not surface off the Folly Beach coast.
According to officials, the father and teen dive duo were about 13 miles southeast of Folly Beach on Saturday afternoon, diving from their 22-foot Carolina skiff. Crews say the two men went into the water around 2 p.m. for a 30-minute, 60-feet-deep dive.
The father surfaced but his son did not, officials said.
Currently searching are a crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station Charleston and a crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston.
Good Samaritans who were diving nearby are also assisting with the search, officials said.