By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

ROWAN COUNTY — Messages of condolence were shared via social media hours after an East Rowan High School student drowned in Balfour Quarry Sunday afternoon.

The heartfelt sentiments continued as students started their first day without Shavice Tandy.

Tandy, 17, of Granite Quarry, went to the quarry, located in the eastern part of the county, to swim with three others. One of the teens told investigators they’d been jumping from a rock ledge, but Tandy decided to swim across the quarry. He became tired and went under. He never resurfaced.

The teens went into the quarry, which is private property, sometime around 11 a.m., and divers recovered Tandy’s body just after 1:20 p.m. “No trespassing” signs are posted on the property, officials said.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived, they saw two males and a female sitting on a rock ledge visibly upset. They told officials they’d last seen Tandy go under about 60 yards away.

The teens said they’d jumped from the rock ledge several times before Tandy began to swim to other side.

Former East Rowan High student Vincent Spillman said Tandy was always a very nice kid.

“He was funny, and it was fun when we played basketball one time at school,” he said.

Spillman said Tandy was nice to him and always made him laugh with silly things he’d say while they were in the library or in the hallway.

“I’m praying for the family,” Spillman said.

“I’m heartbroken cause you truly were a good friend … I can’t believe you’re gone,” one friend wrote on Facebook.

“It won’t be the same without you. You always made me laugh in class,” wrote another.

A woman who identified herself as the property owner’s daughter told WBTV reporter David Whisenant the “no trespassing” signs are often removed and a fence on the property cut into. She also said security cameras have not deterred trespassers.

The woman said the quarry owners work with the Sheriff’s Office often to remove trespassers.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.