Divers are scouring the waters of Venice Beach after former WWE performer Shad Gaspard was pulled underwater by a rip current. According to TMZ, Gaspard was swimming at Marina Del Rey beach with his family Sunday when the current picked up, prompting lifeguards to frantically evacuate everyone from the water.

According to witnesses at the scene, Gaspard told lifeguards to tend to his 10-year-old son before him. A large wave is said to have then crashed down on Gaspard and officials have been searching for him ever since. The search was suspended on Sunday night and resumed at around 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is helping conduct the search for Gaspard, utilizing divers and helicopters to comb the area from all angles. They are being assisted by Los Angeles County and the U.S. Coast Guard.

While officials have not acknowledged Gaspard as the missing swimmer, an Instagram story post from his wife confirms that he is missing with a photo taken of him at the beach earlier in the day.

Gaspard, 39, who wrestled under his real name, was active in WWE from 2006-2007 and 2008-2010. He is best known for his role as one-half of the tag team “Cryme Tyme” with fellow Brooklyn-native Jayson Anthony “JTG” Paul. Gaspard continued to compete on the independent wrestling circuit after leaving WWE on Jan. 31.

Outside of wrestling, Gaspard has numerous credits in film and television, with roles in such projects as “Think Like a Man Too,” “Get Hard,” and the television adaptation of “From Dusk till Dawn.” He also did stunt-work for the recent DC Comics film “Birds of Prey” and provided motion capture for the main character, Kratos, in the 2018 video game, “God of War.”

Gaspard is married to fitness model Siliana Gaspard and has one son.

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The WWE logo hangs on a wall at a media conference announcing the all-star lineup of WWE WrestleMania XIX at ESPN Zone in Times Square in New York City, March 18, 2003. Mark Mainz/Getty Images
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