Monday, Dec 5 JAWS continued... July, 4th articled

Giant killer shark caught by local fishermen

AMITY - The shark responsible for the deaths of two local residents, 17-year-old Christine Watson and 10-year-old Alex Kitner, was caught by local fishermen this morning, ending the search for the beast that terrorized the waters.

The shark was caught one mile south-southwest and killed shortly after its capture by lead fisherman Mike Swenson of Medford, Mass.

Swenson will receive the $3,000 bounty for his "heroic and selfless efforts," according to Police Chief Martin Brody.

After the shark was brought ashore, it was inspected by marine biologist Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole, Mass.

Hooper, one of the world's foremost experts on sharks, identified the shark as a nurse shark, known for being one of the most brutal and dangerous of all sharks. Nurse sharks have been responsible for hundreds of swimmers' deaths along the East Coast of the United States.

All of the beaches were reopened immediately, and in a press release from Brody, he explained that he urges residents "to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports," adding that beach-goers should "swim and have fun!"

Brody added that islanders and guests should not be alarmed by the presence of shark spotters from various organizations including the Coast Guard, the Marine Patrol, the Massachusetts State Police, and the U.S. Navy, among others. They are merely a safey precaution in order to put visitors to the island at ease.

At midday, the beaches were crowded with guests and residents who were hesitant to enter the water after the recent incidents, but shortly after a family of five went in, the waters soon became crowded as well.

Two 12-year-old boys and residents of Amity, however, Wayne Winston and Brad Kaplan, were found wearing large fins in the water so as to scare swimmers. Although their prank caused swimmers to panic and leave the water, no serious injuries resulted from the incident.

The two boys were remanded to the custody of their parents.

Furthermore, any shark sightings should be reported to the proper authorities at 1-800-sharksee.