Twelve-year-old Melquan Kwame Robinson died Monday after being electrocuted by a chain-link fence at Fleming Athletic Complex in Augusta, Georgia. Three other people, including two boys who tried to help him, were injured.

Melquan was at football practice when a ball went over the fence. According to a sheriff’s office incident report, he climbed the fence to retrieve it and was electrocuted. Deputies performed chest compressions before an ambulance took him to Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where he was pronounced dead at 9:56 p.m. His body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy.

Two friends were shocked while trying to pull Melquan away from the fence and were hospitalized. The mother of one boy, David Sette, said he had moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room, though doctors remained concerned about his blood levels and muscle breakdown. An adult was also injured.

Authorities said a live wire had energized the fence. The coroner’s office, sheriff’s office and city began investigations, with the city examining the electrical wire. Georgia Power said it would cooperate and that its preliminary investigation indicated it did not control or maintain the voltage that energized the fences.

Melquan was a seventh-grader at Morgan Road Middle School and played for the Trinity Elite Titans. His former coach and family friend Don Clark described him as energetic, athletic and protective of his siblings. He loved football and hoped to become a professional athlete. Clark said Melquan’s parents were grieving the loss of their firstborn and praised the courage of the boys who tried to save their friend.

Mayor Hardie Davis offered condolences and asked the community to support the family. The school system provided additional support for students and staff, and football activities at Fleming Park were canceled for the week. A community vigil was planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bernie Ward Community Center.