Missing Swimmer ID'd As Potomac River Search Goes Into Day Three

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Nazir Bell, a 20-year-old student attending Towson University, was identified as the swimmer who went missing over the weekend in the Potomac River.

Bell had gone swimming with friends in the Potomac River near Great Falls on Sunday. He disappeared shortly after calling out for help.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said Bell had become separated from the group as he tried to swim from the Maryland side of the Potomac River to the Virginia side, which falls under Fairfax County.

The ongoing search is being carried out in partnership with the MCRFS, U.S. Park Police, and Fairfax Fire and Rescue officials. Searches were conducted by land, boat and air as dozens of first responders have joined the effort.

Piringer said that individuals engaging in recreational activities in the vicinity of the search areas have also assisted.

Bell is presumed to have drowned.

Related: Search Enters Second Day After Swimmer Disappears Near Great Falls

Shante Smith, Bell's mother, told NBC4 that her son was studying economics at Towson University and that he'd gone out swimming as part of an outing with friends.

His father, Jamal Smith, described Bell as "a great son, a great young man, rising senior at Towson, great grades, just overall a great kid."

"You couldn’t ask for a better son," he said.

MCFRS officials say Bell was last seen near the Sandy Landing river access point on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. He was wearing blue swimming trunks.

Authorities say that swimming is prohibited in the area, warning of strong currents that can quickly change. Parts of the waterway can be as deep as 30 feet.