The tragedy happened with former WWE superstar Shad Gaspard has taken the pro-wrestling world by storm. Now, WWE has also reacted on the issue showing sympathy for the missing star and their family.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon took to Twitter to comment on the former employee Shad Gaspard, who went missing after a strong rip current near Venice Beach on Sunday. This is what Vince wrote on social media,
“The thoughts of everyone at WWE are with Shad Gaspard’s family during this difficult time,” Vince wrote.
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The thoughts of everyone at WWE are with Shad Gaspard’s family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/dLRnF6oElX
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) May 19, 2020
WWE official Twitter handle also issued a statement which is as follows,
“WWE’s thoughts are with the family of Shad Gaspard. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
WWE’s thoughts are with the family of Shad Gaspard. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/uBk0Qo9lXt
— WWE (@WWE) May 19, 2020
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon also took to Twitter to send her thoughts and prayers on Shad Gaspard, on behalf of herself and husband Triple H.
She wrote, “All of @tripleh and my prayers, love, and strength are with the Gaspard family, especially his wife and son. [red heart emoji]”
All of @tripleh and my prayers, love and strength are with the Gaspard family, especially his wife and son. ❤️
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) May 19, 2020
As reported earlier, Shad Gaspard hasn’t been seen since a large wave crashed on him and then took him under the water on Sunday. The rescue team was on the spot as he instructed them to first save his 10-year-old son. During that time, the strong tide took him away. Several pro-wrestlers have reacted to this unfortunate incident as the police department assumes that he was submerged into the water.
ESPN’s Mark Kriegel has come up with some more details from the Shad Gaspard incident. The lifeguard who first responded to Shad and his son at around 4 pm local time on Sunday talked about the tragedy. He was within 50 to 70 yards off the shore and said Shad Gaspard was caught in a strong rip current in what’s called an “impact zone.”
“The best way I can describe it,” said Kenichi Haskett, Section Chief of the LA County Fire Department “is like being inside a front-loading washing machine. The waves keep crashing on you, pushing you down. … I’ve been through that, those kind of rescues. You think you might die.”
It was the first weekend where Los Angeles County opened its beaches since the coronavirus stay-at-home order was issued. Waves were coming of almost 6 feet high and the current was fast and water was also choppy due to bad weather.
Shad Gaspard and his son were 200 yards north of where the lifeguard first spotted them. The lifeguard tried to reach a “rescue can” (small buoy-like device to tow distressed swimmers back to shore) to Shad and his son, but the boy was unable to grab it due to the size of the waves.
“Based on the gentlemen’s size and the conditions in the water…,” Haskett said about Shad Gaspard, “these are choices we do not want to make.”
As noted, for now, the Coast Guard suspended their search for Shad Gaspard but the Los Angeles Police Department is still looking for him, who is considered to be a missing person.
