Search for 19-year-old swimmer last seen near Surfside Beach Friday becomes recovery mission: Police

FREEPORT, Texas (KTRK) -- On Saturday night, authorities suspended the search for a 19-year-old who authorities say vanished while swimming near Surfside Beach on Friday. The rescue effort then became a recovery mission, according to the Surfside police chief.

The video above shows ABC13's reporting before the recover mission was issued.

DeAngelo Phillip Jackson reportedly went missing at about 6:30 p.m. when relatives say he and two high school friends went swimming along Blue Water Highway Beach.

According to the Surfside Police Department, Jackson went underwater and never resurfaced.

Officers warn that currents are powerful in the area.

Coast Guard crews reportedly searched approximately 305 square miles for a combined 25 search hours.

"The decision to suspend the search is never easy, but we remain ready to resume the operation should any new information arise," said Lt. j.g. Melissa Brizzi, a command duty officer with Sector Houston-Galveston.

Jackson is described as a Black man, 6 feet 3 inches tall, wearing black shorts with an orange stripe around the waistband and no shirt.

Texas EquuSearch shared the following image of Jackson.

Family told ABC13 Jackson graduated from Navasota High School and attends The University of Texas at Tyler.

The Coast Guard and state and local partner agencies are assisting in the recovery mission.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Sector Houston-Galveston at 281-464-4851.