Breaking News Update

AMITY, MA--Mere hours after Amity beaches reopened and a nurse shark was captured and identified as the predator, Amity's James Parks, 30, became this week's third shark attack victim.

Parks was knocked into the water when his small rowboat was attacked in the pond next to the beach at about 1:30 p.m. today. According to a press release from Chief of Police Martin P. Brody, "Most of his remains have not been found."

Officials report that beaches will remained closed until further noticed and urge residents to exercise extreme caution.

Shark Caught, Amity Beaches Reopen

AMITY, MA—The predator in this week’s shark attacks that resulted in the deaths of two Amity youths has been captured.

“The giant killer shark that has been blamed for the two deaths this week was caught and killed in waters one mile south-southwest of Amity,” said Chief of Police Martin P. Brody in a press release issued earlier today.

According to the press release, the 16-foot nurse shark was identified by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute.

In addition to capturing the shark, Amity officials ensure vacationers that the beaches are scheduled to reopen, “though armed shark spotters will continue to patrol the waters off the beach.”

Amity residents and vacationers swarmed the beaches immediately after they reopened, although many seemed hesitant to enter the water.

With the persuasion of Mayor Bob Farley himself, one father led his family of five into the water, followed by hundreds of other Amity beach-goers.

Minutes after people began entering the water and it seemed as though the danger of further shark attacks had passed, one swimmer ran screaming from the water after spotting what appeared to be a shark fin.

The water cleared of all swimmers and armed patrol boats surrounded what they thought was the shark. Right as the patrol men were about to take fire, a young boy poked his head out from underneath his rubber boat, the rudder of which was the supposed shark fin.

Shark Update

AMITY, MASS—A lack of information from officials and two possible shark attacks in the past week have made Amity residents skeptical about the safety of their fine beaches.

While Amity Mayor Bob Farley and Chief of Police Martin P. Brody maintain that their decision to close down beaches is only a precaution, the deaths of two Amity youths appear closely linked to shark activity.

The first victim was 16-year-old Wendy Watson whose mangled body was found six days ago on Amity’s South Beach. Alex Kitner, 10, was killed in a public attack two days later on Village Beach.

According to the Global Shark Attack File, which is an international log of over 3,600 shark attacks, the majority of shark attacks in the United States occur in southern states such as the Carolinas and Florida. Although few shark attacks have been reported in New England, safety precautions should never be ignored.

"The reality is that, on the list of potential dangers encountered in aquatic recreation, sharks are right at the bottom of the list," said George Burgess, Director of The International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida Museum of Natural History in a blog about shark attack risks.

Burgess recommended simple precautions such as staying in groups and refraining from swimming when it’s dark. He also insisted that people “not enter the water if sharks are known to be present,” which relates directly to our situation here in Amity.

Although the probability of being bitten by a shark is quite small it is important to follow all safety precautions, according to Discovery Channel diver and shark wrangler Ken Moran.

“When you ride a motorcycle you should wear a helmet because you could get hurt. The same applies to any recreational activity,” said Moran. “Prepare ahead of time and avoid any unnecessary risk to your safety whenever you do anything in the water.”

Another Possible Shark Attack Puts Amity on Edge

AMITY, MASS.--Another Amity youth is dead in what appears to be another shark attack on Amity’s Village Beach.

Alex Kitner, 10, of Mayfair Court was playing in the water on a yellow rubber raft when he was attacked by something in the water around noon yesterday.

According to a press release from Chief of Police Martin P. Brody, “His body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a big bite taken out of it.”

Kitner’s mother, Marian Kitner, saw the attack as it happened and has been taken to Amity Hospital where she is currently being treated for shock. She is reported to be in fair condition.

“I join Amity Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kitner family,” said Brody. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”

The press release also insinuated that the Watson death may also be linked to “possible shark activities.” The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

The Amity Board of Selectmen held a meeting at the Town Hall last night to discuss the current situation. Brody’s announcement that the town planned to close down the beaches for further investigation was met by cries of outrage from Amity citizens.

After hearing this negative reaction, Mayor Farley conceded that the beaches will remain closed for no more than 24 hours. “Twenty-four hours is like three weeks!” shouted one outraged Amity resident.

Local fisherman Ben Quint silenced the uproar by offering to catch the shark for a price of $10,000.

“With that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing,” said Quint.

Amity officials accepted Quint’s offer and plan to compensate him if and when he catches the shark thought to be the perpetrator in these tragic attacks.

Girl Found Dead After Possible Shark Attack

AMITY, MASS.--A young female was found dead on South Beach in Amity in the early hours of the morning.

The cause of death has not yet been identified, but a press release from Chief of Police Martin P. Brody suggests that the girl’s tragic death may be the result of a shark attack.

Sixteen-year-old Wendy W. Watson of 23 Sharkstooth St. in Amity was last seen alive leaving a beach party with an unidentified male at about 11 p.m. yesterday.

According to the press release, “She decided to go skinny-dipping and entered the water at a remote section of the beach.” Witnesses at the party said both teenagers had been drinking during the evening Watson’s companion contacted authorities when she did not return from the water.

After a brief search, Watson’s mangled body was found washed up on the shore. Her attacker remains unknown, but Chief of Police Brody assures Amity residents that police are continuing their investigation and visitors on our fine island “are in no danger.”