Peaceful waters became a war zone today as a third victim lost his life to a brutal shark attack. At about 1:30 p.m. today James Parks, 30 of Oak Bluffs was knocked out of his rowboat and apparently eaten by a killer shark. His remains have not been retrieved. The beaches have been closed by officials until further notice.

Fear at Bay on Amity Beach for the Fourth of July

Following two separate fatal attacks on the Village Beach a nurse shark has been found and destroyed.
This animal has been suspected to be responsible in the killings of 16-year-old Wendy Watson of Sharkstooth Beach and of 10-year-old Alex Ferguson of Mayfair Court in Amity. The beach has just reopened after a 24 hour closing period due to worries about a possible predator.
Today the sun is shining; there is an energetic aura in the air. Fourth of July goers are enjoying Amity’s lovely beaches. Music filled the air and the hustle and bustle of the Fourth of July was apparent throughout the people. In the morning the joyous crowds covering the beaches did appear to be apprehensive about diving right in the waves, but by afternoon the water was full of playful kids, rafts and adults doing the backstroke.
Armed shark spotters have taken up patrolling the waters off the beach which seems to be reassuring for swimmers. The anonymous fisherman that caught the 16-foot creature will be receiving a $3,000 reward for their heroic efforts. Matt Hooper, from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute has indentified the beast as a nurse shark. Hooper is a marine biologist. The nurse shark was caught a mile south-southwest of Amity.
A moment of panicked mayhem took place when two young boys played a prank on the swimmers and beachgoers this afternoon. Snorkeling underwater and using a fake shark fin, they portrayed a shark gliding around swimmers. Once a frantic state took over the swimmers and they were safely out of the water, the young boys revealed themselves.
Officials are asking that any possible shark sighting be reported immediately to the police or the Coast Guard. It is assured that any danger of another shark attack has passed and that people should enjoy a care and worry free Fourth of July

Second Fatal Attack Causes Panic on Village Beach

July 2
A second attack has been confirmed following Wendy Watson’s death yesterday. Alex Ferguson 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, has been killed at Village Beach.

Ferguson had been floating on rubber raft when the attack took place. His body has not been recovered, but his yellow rubber raft washed ashore with a large bite mark. It is thought but cannot be concluded that this nor Watson’s death were results of a shark attack.

Amity mayor Bob Farley is deeply sorry for the Fergusons family loss. Ferguson’s mother Marian has been treated for shock at Amity hospital and is considered to be in fair condition.
Chief Brody has requested that beaches be closed for 24 hours until investigators can look deeper into the attacks. It has also been requested that more officers be on guard on the beach.

Talks of closing the beach took place during the press conference held at 5 p.m.
Old fisherman Ben Quint has made an offer to find the killer at hand and destroy the species. His offer is being considered by the chief and deputy.

Amity’s beaches continued to thrive today and seem unconcerned with the previous shark attack, until the second attack took place. A man whom was playing catch with his dog, Pippet seems to think the animal disappeared in the water just before Ferguson was attacked. It cannot be confirmed that Pippet was indeed attacked as well.

The first victim Wendy W. Watson was last seen alive around 11 p.m. and her mangled body was found washed up on the beach early in the morning July 1st.

Brutal attack on South Beach

July 1

The mangled body of 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson, of 23 Sharkstooth St. in Amity was found on South Beach this morning.

Watson was last seen alive at a beach party with an unidentified male around 11 p.m. last night. It has been decided by authorities she and her peers had been drinking throughout the evening.
It appears that Watson had decided to go skinny dipping in a remote area of the beach. Her companion came to police around 3 a.m. after passing out, he realized she had not returned from the water.

Watson’s body had been severely attacked by a species of an unknown origin. Her body has been taken to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. At the time of press no charges had been filed in the case. The investigation is being continued by police officials.

Watson was a sophomore at Amity High School. A shark attack is the likely cause of attack. Residents and visitors should not be concerned and are encouraged to continue enjoying the lovely sands of South Beach.