Amity, Mass. – A 10-year-old boy was killed today while playing in the waters of Village Beach. This is the second beach death in three days, and police now believe sharks may have played a part in both deaths.
The young boy was identified as Alex Ferguson of Mayfair Court in Amity. His mother, Marian Ferguson, is currently being treated for shock at Amity Hospital. She is reported to be in fair condition. No one else was injured in the attack.
In a press release, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody announced the tragic news. “I join Amity Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson family,” he said. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”
According to the police report, Ferguson had been floating on a rubber raft off Village Beach when what appears to have been a “vicious and unprovoked shark attack” occurred. Ferguson’s body has not yet been recovered, but his raft came ashore with what looked like a big bite taken out of it.
Ferguson’s death comes just two days after the death of 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson of 23 Sharkstooth St. After Watson wandered into the waters of South Beach, police discovered her mangled body washed up on the beach early the next morning. Her body was sent to the coroner’s office for an autopsy, but no results have been released.
“We now believe that it may be possible that the Watson death could also maybe have been linked to possible shark activities,” Chief Brody said in his press release, “though that investigation is ongoing at this time.”
In response to these shocking deaths, the mayor, police chief, and the Amity Board of Selectmen held a press conference at 5 pm today in Town Hall. The town officials discussed the state of the town, and Chief Brody admitted that he is planning to close the beaches.
After an uproar from citizens, fisherman Ben Quint offered to hunt down and kill the shark. Quint requested $10,000 to catch and kill the shark by himself – but said he will not do it with anyone else’s help.
Police said they would take Quint’s offer “under advisement."
Chief Brody urged citizens and the press to remain calm until there is definitive proof of shark attacks. “We hasten to caution the press not to jump to any conclusions.”
*class assignment*
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