Man who was allegedly pushed into lake while out with friends seeks to clear his reputation, lawyer says

SHREVEPORT, La. (Gray News) - A 26-year-old man from Louisiana is now sharing his accounts of what happened the day he was allegedly pushed into a lake while out with friends.

Christopher Gilbert was at a lakefront restaurant with friends on April 14 when he was “playfully pushed” into the lake, according to a press release from Lawrence Law Firm, who is representing Gilbert.

The press release says that “due to unforeseen conditions,” such as the depth of the lake and Gilbert’s limited swimming abilities, he was submerged in the water for about three to five minutes, as reported by his friends and witnesses.

Yolanda George, Gilbert’s mother, said she received a call from one of his friends who was hysterically crying.

“I was devastated. I felt like my life had ended in that moment,” George said.

She said her son was preparing for medical school after receiving his master’s degree in biological science last year.

According to the report from the Farmerville Police Department, a bystander assisted police with CPR on the scene before medical personnel arrived. After he was pulled out, Gilbert was hospitalized and spent time on life support. He has since been discharged, according to the press release.

The press release from Lawrence Law Firm says that statements previously made by an attorney identified as Claudia Payne were done without Gilbert’s authorization and grossly exaggerated the events.

The press release says that upon being discharged Gilbert sought out new legal counsel to share his accounts of what happened, to restore his reputation and “as well as those of his friends who were present on that day.”

Payne had previously reported that Gilbert had been submerged for 10 to 20 minutes, was brain-dead for some time and suffered organ failure. The press release says these statements were “not only grossly exaggerated but also medically unsubstantiated.”

Payne also said the family would be seeking charges against the friend who allegedly pushed Gilbert, as well as the restaurant owner, according to a report from KSLA.

In the press release from Lawrence Law Firm, Gilbert’s legal counsel says that he “unequivocally denies all the claims made by Claudia Payne” and that the incident resulted from an accident, not malicious intent.

A GoFundMe has been set up in Gilbert’s name.