Nearly two years after losing her son in a heartbreaking drowning accident, Brampton resident Sheril Barnett is ensuring that his spirit of kindness and community service lives on through a scholarship program created in his memory.
Shamar Barnett, a beloved 25-year-old and longtime Brampton resident, drowned during a gathering at a Mississauga home on June 29, 2024. Remembered by family and friends as a young man with a “big heart,” Shamar was known for stepping in to help others and for treating everyone with compassion and respect.
Determined to preserve her son’s legacy, Sheril founded the Shamar Barnett Legacy charity, which supports young people who demonstrate leadership, humanitarian values and a commitment to serving their communities. This year, the organization will award a $3,500 scholarship to a graduating Grade 12 track athlete from St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School, where Shamar and his siblings studied. The award recognizes students who have shown outstanding leadership and community involvement, qualities that Sheril says defined her son’s life.
To support the scholarship program, the charity will hold its second annual fundraising barbecue on June 28 at Heart Lake Conservation Park in Brampton. Open to the public, the event aims not only to raise funds but also to celebrate the life of a young man who touched many lives.
A dedicated fitness enthusiast and former member of the school’s track team, Shamar was passionate about healthy living and frequently encouraged family members and friends to take care of their health. His mother recalls him as someone who always put others first and never ignored anyone in distress.
Despite her efforts to honour her son’s memory, Sheril says unanswered questions surrounding his death continue to weigh heavily on the family. Investigations by Peel Regional Police and the coroner concluded that Shamar died from drowning, with the manner of death classified as undetermined because of the ambiguous circumstances surrounding the incident. Reports indicate that after entering the pool, he appeared to exhibit movements resembling a seizure before sinking underwater. He was rescued by a bystander and several people attempted CPR, but he could not be revived.
Police found no evidence of foul play and have completed their investigation, though authorities say any new information will be reviewed.
For Sheril, the pain of losing her son remains profound, but she hopes his legacy will continue to inspire others.
“Shamar loved life, loved his family and always cared about people,” she says. “He had a huge heart.”
Through the scholarship bearing his name and the annual community gathering held in his honour, the memory of Shamar Barnett continues to inspire acts of kindness and offer hope to future generations.