Bounty offered for shark that killed two Amity Village residents
AMITY – A $3,000 bounty was offered last night by Marion Kitner at an emergency meeting called by Mayor Larry Vaughan and Police Chief Martin Brody for the capture and killing of the shark that has claimed two victims in less than 48 hours.
The first victim, 17-year-old Christine Watson was killed Sunday night while swimming at a remote section of South Beach, and the second victim, 10-year-old Alex Kitner, was killed while floating on a rubber raft at Village Beach.
The bounty Kitner’s mother offered was told to those in attendance at the meeting. A sign outside the meeting hall read "$3,000 bounty to the man or men who catch and kill the shark that killed."
Townsfolk, motel owners, fishermen, and others gathered at the meeting to discuss safety measures for the coming days as well as the bounty and the possible closing of the town beaches.
Police Chief Martin Brody announced that the beaches would be closed because of the attacks and that specialists would be coming to the island to assist in the search and capture of the shark.
When asked how long the beaches would remain closed, Vaughan explained they would only be closed for 24 hours.
Brody appeared shocked at the 24 hour limit for safety reasons but was unable to comment on the matter, while one woman exclaimed, “Twenty-four hours is like 3 weeks on this island!”
Before the meeting adjourned, professional shark hunter Ben Quint entered the meeting, getting the attention of the arguing crowd by scratching his nails against the chalkboard in the back of the room.
“This shark will swallow you whole,” Quint said, explaining that he could catch the shark and kill it, but he valued his life for more than $3,000 dollars, asking instead for a $10,000 bounty.
The mayor and selectmen, after speaking with Mrs. Kitner, agreed to increase the bounty to $10,000, explaining they would come up with the extra $7,000 necessary to do so.
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