Alex

10-year-old Alex Kitner of Mayfair Court in Amity was viciously killed this afternoon while playing in the water off Village Beach. The incident appeared to beach goers as a shark attack.

Kitner was floating approximately 10 yards out to sea on an inflatable yellow raft at around 2 p.m. Witnesses say they saw the raft get pulled under the surface while Kitner struggled and cried for help.

“The water started turning red and everyone started screaming,” said a friend of Kitner’s who was near him in the water. 

Moments after the incident occurred, a panic ensued on the beach as children fought their way onto shore and parents pulled them out of the water. Shortly after, Kitner’s raft washed up onto the beach, deflated, and appeared to be bitten.

Kitner’s mother, Marion Kitner, has been taken to Amity General Hospital where she is being treated for shock. Her condition has been reported as stable. No other injuries have occurred. 

Chief of Police Martin Brody has announced a Town Hall meeting tonight at 6 p.m. Although he has not yet confirmed a shark attack as cause of death, he plans to shut down the beaches on July 4.

Kitner’s family suspects homicide, and is offering a $3,000 dollar reward for capture of the perpetrators. Subsequently, a World War II veteran and current fisherman named Bob Quint is now offering to hunt down the shark that may or may not have attacked Kitner. Quint is one of the 317 survivors of the USS Indianapolis in 1945. 

Citizens of Amity are now questioning the cause of Chrissie Watson’s death, who’s body was found mangled and washed up on shore early this morning. City officials are now heavily suspecting shark attacks near Village Beach, and both cases are being investigated as such.

Two grizzly deaths today have deprived Amity of two young lives, and has left citizens not only in mourning, but questioning their own safety as well. More information will be reported as it is released by Mayor Larry Vaughn, and Chief Brody, who can be reached at brodyman@beachcop.com