The man tossed his hat in the air, and the fight began as the trio threw jabs at each other. Several white people started beating the security guard as bystanders yelled in the background.

Black people who witnessed the incident from the shore rushed to the scene and helped the security guard. Many hailed 16-year-old Aaren as a hero after he leaped from the riverboat and swam to help fight off the white boaters.

“In the face of adversity, Aaren selflessly came to the rescue of a fellow colleague, showcasing courage beyond his years,” the teen’s publicist, Makina LaShea, said in a statement. “We are immensely proud of his actions and the values he exemplifies, standing as an inspiration to us all.”

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