Agoura Hills Student Dies After 'Routine Surgery'

AGOURA HILLS, CA — Agoura High School freshman football player Carter Stone unexpectedly died on Aug. 25, sending shockwaves through the community.

Stone, 15, went into cardiac arrest during an arthroscopic shoulder surgery, Agoura High football coach Dustin Croick told The Acorn. He went in for surgery at Specialty Surgical Center of Westlake Village on Thursday, a day after he attended his first day of school, The Acorn reported.

When something went wrong in surgery, he was transferred to Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks in cardiac arrest. He was stabilized and sent to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead.

The surgery revealed an undiagnosed tumor on his heart, according to a GoFundMe page created by Westlake Village resident Kristin Brogan.

"We are all mourning the loss of Carter Stone, a Freshman at Agoura High School. What should have been a routine outpatient shoulder surgery escalated into an unfathomable tragedy for the Stone family and all those who loved Carter," Brogan said on the GoFundMe.

Stone attended White Oaks Elementary and Lindero Canyon Middle School, the Ventura County Star reported. His parents met at Oak Park High School. There, his father played football and his mother served as team statistician, The Acorn reported. Stone loved football and was "working his butt off" in his freshman year, Croick told the VC Star.

"Carter was known for his sense of humor, kindness and work ethic. He was a dedicated football player looking forward to his career at Agoura High School," Brogan said on the GoFundMe.

The community raised over $85,000 on GoFundMe in just a few days to help the family cover medical and funeral costs.

"The Stone family is facing not only the grief of the unimaginable passing of their wonderful child, but also the burden of financial hardship from the care he received in his final hours and the arrangements needed thereafter. Your donations will assist in covering the unexpected healthcare costs, funeral expenses, and counseling for the family. Any amount received beyond the goal and/or expenses will be donated in Carter’s name to the Agoura Football Program," Brogan wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Agoura High's football team will finish the season with Stone's number, 76, on their helmets and the phrase "Be Like Carter," The Acorn reported.

The Los Angeles Rams and former Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth have also made donations to the family and team, according to the Acorn.

This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates.