Lake Michigan Drowning Claims Lives of Jalen Shaffer of Ada and Philip Lochirco of Warrenville, Illinois, Near Grand Haven

Two men lost their lives in Lake Michigan on Saturday afternoon after they were found struggling in the water near the south pier of the Pigeon Lake Channel in Port Sheldon Township, Ottawa County. Despite efforts from bystanders and emergency responders, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the water emergency at around 1:15 p.m. on June 13 after receiving reports of two people in distress near the pier. Before deputies and other agencies arrived, bystanders attempted to rescue the men on their own but were unable to pull them to safety.

When emergency responders reached the scene, they managed to remove both men from the water and immediately began life-saving measures. Those efforts, however, were not enough to save them.

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One of the victims was identified as a 24-year-old man from Warrenville, Illinois. The other was identified by his family through his former football coach as 26-year-old Jalen Shaffer from Ada, Michigan.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office has not officially named either victim as of this writing, though News 8 received confirmation of Shaffer’s identity from people close to him.

Bystanders Made Rescue Attempts Before Help Arrived

The fact that people nearby jumped in to help before emergency services arrived speaks to how urgent and frightening the situation appeared. Still, the conditions near the pier proved too dangerous, and the bystanders were unable to bring the men to shore safely.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office was joined at the scene by the Port Sheldon Township Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard, all working together in the response.

Lake Michigan is known for its unpredictable currents and wave conditions, especially near piers and channels where water movement can be particularly powerful. The Pigeon Lake Channel area, where the incident took place, sits along a stretch of shoreline that sees regular recreational activity during the summer months.

Pier areas along the lake have historically been the site of drowning incidents, as swimmers can underestimate how quickly conditions can change or how strong the water pull near structures can be.

Community Mourns the Loss of a Young Life

Jalen Shaffer, 26, was remembered fondly by those who knew him. His former coaches described him as unselfish and humble, a young man who left a positive impression on everyone around him. The loss has been deeply felt by those in the Ada community and beyond.

The incident is still under active investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances that led both men into the water or what specific conditions were present at the time.

As summer draws more people to the beaches and shoreline of Lake Michigan, water safety officials consistently urge swimmers to stay away from piers, watch for posted warning flags, and never swim alone. Strong currents and sudden drop-offs near pier structures make those areas especially risky, even for experienced swimmers.

The deaths of these two young men serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly a day at the lake can turn tragic. Anyone planning to visit Lake Michigan this season is encouraged to check current water conditions before entering the water and to take all posted warnings seriously.