Shark Responsible for Deaths of Two Locals Caught

A day after Amity decides to close local beaches, the killer shark responsible for the deaths of two locals is caught and killed.

The shark was said to be the cause of the deaths of Alex B. Kintner, 10, and Christine W. Watson, 17, who were reported dead over the past couple of days.

Oceanographic Institute marine biologist Matt Hooper inspected the shark after being brought ashore and found the shark to be a nurse shark, one of the most brutal and dangerous sharks along the East Coast.

For his heroic actions, the fisherman who caught the shark one mile south-southwest of Amity will be rewarded $3,000.

Amity will immediately reopen beaches for the Fourth of July weekend following the capture of the shark.

With the capture of the shark, Amity is still taking precautions for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend by having shark spotters in the air, on boats, and from land from the Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, FBI, and other police agencies along the coast.

"They are simply a safety precaution that we hope will put our visitors at ease," Amity Police Chief Martin Brody said.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to return to the beach and get back to life before the attacks.

"I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports if which we all so happily partake throughout the summer," Brody said.

Officials still want the public to be aware of their surroundings when heading back to the beach, though.  In the case of another shark spotting, Amity urges people to report sightings to authorities at their toll-free shark hotline, 1-800-sharksee.

Recently, a false alarm occurred at one of the beaches after two children snorkeled around with a cardboard fin.  People cleared the water in mass chaos as officials centered in on the fin.

Authorities assured the public that instances like this will be dealt with and the public should not fear of similar problems.

"We believe we can safely say that the danger of future shark attacks has probably passed," Brody said;  "Amity's darkest days are behind us."